Hurricane Season IT Preparedness Checklist for NC Businesses

Hurricane season IT preparedness for North Carolina businesses requires verified cloud backups, tested generator systems, remote work infrastructure, documented communication plans, accessible insurance records, current vendor contacts, and prioritized recovery procedures. With the Atlantic hurricane season running June 1 through November 30, preparation must be completed before the first storm threatens.

Key takeaway: Hurricane Helene (2024) caused over $59.6 billion in damage across North Carolina, with almost 80% of affected businesses losing electricity and over 85% losing internet access. According to NC Commerce data, the seven hardest-hit counties lost 7% of employment in October 2024, demonstrating that even inland North Carolina businesses face significant hurricane risk.

Need hurricane-ready IT infrastructure? Preferred Data Corporation helps North Carolina businesses prepare for and recover from hurricanes. BBB A+ rated with 37+ years of experience. Call (336) 886-3282 or start your preparedness plan.

Lessons from Recent NC Hurricanes

North Carolina has experienced devastating hurricanes that revealed technology preparedness gaps across the state.

Hurricane Helene (2024)

Hurricane Helene demonstrated that western North Carolina, traditionally considered safe from hurricanes, faces catastrophic flood risk:

• Over $59.6 billion in total damage across the state
• Almost 80% of affected businesses lost electricity
• More than 85% lost internet access
• Nearly 50% found roads and bridges impassable
• Employment declined 7% in hardest-hit counties
• More than one-third of businesses reported facility damage
• According to Richmond Fed surveys, over 70% of NC businesses in FEMA-designated areas reported some impact

Hurricane Florence (2018)

Florence hit eastern North Carolina with unprecedented flooding:

• Over $1 billion in recovery assistance distributed to residents
• According to NC DPS recovery reports, thousands of businesses suffered flood damage
• Extended power and internet outages lasting weeks in some areas
• Roads impassable prevented workers from reaching businesses

Hurricane Matthew (2016)

• $229.7 million in FEMA grants approved for homeowners and renters
• Thousands of businesses in eastern NC disrupted
• Recovery construction still incomplete nearly a decade later

Pre-Season IT Preparedness Checklist

Complete these preparations before June 1 each year.

Cloud Backup Verification

Your backup systems are your lifeline when physical infrastructure is destroyed. Verify before hurricane season, not during a storm.

• [ ] Verify all critical data is backed up to geographically diverse cloud locations
• [ ] Confirm backup locations are outside NC hurricane risk zones (not just another local facility)
• [ ] Test full restoration of critical systems from cloud backup (do not just verify backups exist)
• [ ] Document backup recovery procedures in a location accessible without office network
• [ ] Verify backup retention periods cover your recovery needs
• [ ] Confirm immutable/air-gapped backups protect against ransomware during recovery chaos
• [ ] Test recovery of individual files, full servers, and complete system images
• [ ] Verify backup encryption keys are stored securely outside the primary facility

Critical test: Actually restore a server from backup to confirm the process works and document the time required. A backup you have never tested is a backup you cannot trust.

Generator Testing and Fuel Planning

For businesses with on-site servers or critical equipment in the Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, or Raleigh areas:

• [ ] Test generator under full load (not just a start test)
• [ ] Verify automatic transfer switch functionality
• [ ] Confirm generator fuel supply for minimum 72 hours of operation
• [ ] Establish fuel delivery contracts for extended outages
• [ ] Document generator maintenance schedule (oil, filters, coolant)
• [ ] Verify generator capacity covers all critical IT loads
• [ ] Test UPS systems for proper battery health and runtime
• [ ] Confirm cooling systems can operate on generator power

Important: Generators fail most often during actual emergencies due to lack of regular testing. Run your generator under load monthly during hurricane season.

Remote Work Readiness

When your facility is inaccessible, can your team continue operating from home?

• [ ] Verify VPN capacity handles all employees connecting simultaneously
• [ ] Confirm cloud-based applications are accessible from any location
• [ ] Ensure all employees have laptops (not just desktops) for portability
• [ ] Test remote access to all critical business systems
• [ ] Verify phone system can forward to mobile phones or handle calls remotely
• [ ] Confirm video conferencing tools work from employee homes
• [ ] Distribute login credentials and access instructions before the storm
• [ ] Test remote printing and document access capabilities

Communication Plans

When normal communication channels (office phones, email servers, internet) fail, how do you reach employees, customers, and vendors?

• [ ] Create employee phone tree with personal cell numbers (not just office extensions)
• [ ] Establish text message distribution list for all employees
• [ ] Designate out-of-state contact as communication hub (their infrastructure may be unaffected)
• [ ] Document customer notification procedures and templates
• [ ] Pre-write hurricane delay/closure communications for quick distribution
• [ ] Identify alternate meeting locations if the office is inaccessible
• [ ] Store communication plan on personal phones (not just office servers)
• [ ] Test communication tree with a drill before hurricane season

Technology-independent communication options:

Many North Carolina businesses discovered during Helene that cell towers, internet, and landlines all failed simultaneously. Plan for:

• Satellite communication devices for key personnel
• Battery-powered radios for local coordination
• Pre-designated physical meeting points
• Paper copies of essential contact information

Ready to hurricane-proof your IT? PDC prepares NC businesses for storms with cloud solutions, backup systems, and disaster recovery planning. Call (336) 886-3282 or start preparing.

Insurance Documentation

Access to insurance information is critical when you need to file claims, and your office may be inaccessible or destroyed.

• [ ] Store digital copies of all insurance policies in cloud storage
• [ ] Document policy numbers, agent contacts, and claim procedures
• [ ] Take date-stamped photos/video of all IT equipment, serial numbers, and configurations
• [ ] Maintain current inventory list with purchase dates and replacement values
• [ ] Store receipts for major IT purchases (needed for claims)
• [ ] Document insurance company's storm-specific claim procedures
• [ ] Know your deductible and coverage limits for wind, flood, and business interruption
• [ ] Verify business interruption coverage includes IT-related downtime

Important note: Standard commercial property insurance often excludes flood damage. Verify your coverage includes flood for your specific location, particularly if you are in a designated flood zone.

Vendor Contacts and Contracts

When you need emergency help, knowing who to call and what your contracts allow is essential.

• [ ] Maintain current vendor contact list accessible from mobile devices
• [ ] Document MSP emergency contact procedures and after-hours numbers
• [ ] Verify ISP service restoration priority agreements
• [ ] Confirm cloud service provider disaster commitments
• [ ] Document equipment vendor emergency replacement procedures
• [ ] Know your SLA terms for disaster-related service restoration
• [ ] Identify backup ISP options if primary provider is down for extended periods
• [ ] Store vendor portal credentials in accessible, secure location

Recovery Priorities

Not everything can be restored simultaneously. Define priorities before the storm, when you can think clearly.

• [ ] Rank systems by business criticality (what must come back first?)
• [ ] Document acceptable downtime for each system (RTO)
• [ ] Define acceptable data loss for each system (RPO)
• [ ] Identify dependencies between systems (what must be restored before what?)
• [ ] Assign recovery responsibilities to specific team members
• [ ] Document step-by-step recovery procedures for each critical system
• [ ] Identify minimum viable operations (what can you run with limited systems?)

Typical recovery priority order for NC manufacturers:

1. Safety systems and building access controls
2. Communication (email, phone, messaging)
3. Financial systems (banking access, payroll)
4. ERP and order management
5. Production scheduling and quality systems
6. Shipping and logistics
7. Non-critical applications and archives

During the Storm: IT Protection Actions

When a hurricane is approaching (24-48 hours out):

If Your Facility May Flood

• [ ] Power down all on-premise servers gracefully (not just cut power)
• [ ] Elevate any IT equipment possible above potential flood levels
• [ ] Disconnect and protect UPS batteries (they can be damaged by water)
• [ ] Cover server racks with waterproof materials
• [ ] Back up any data changed since last backup
• [ ] Document current system states for insurance purposes

If Your Facility Is in a Wind Zone

• [ ] Secure server room doors and windows
• [ ] Protect equipment from potential roof leaks
• [ ] Ensure generator is fueled and ready
• [ ] Verify UPS will handle initial power transition
• [ ] Power down non-essential systems to reduce generator load

All Businesses

• [ ] Ensure cloud backups are current (final sync before storm)
• [ ] Distribute emergency contact information to all staff
• [ ] Activate remote work procedures
• [ ] Monitor storm progress and communicate status to employees
• [ ] Notify customers and vendors of potential disruption
• [ ] Secure physical IT assets and documentation

Post-Storm: Recovery Actions

After the storm passes, follow this sequence to restore operations.

Step 1: Safety Assessment (Before Entering Facility)

• [ ] Verify the facility is safe to enter (structural damage, standing water, downed power lines)
• [ ] Check for gas leaks or electrical hazards
• [ ] Assess water damage extent before powering any equipment
• [ ] Document all damage with photos and video for insurance
• [ ] Do NOT power on equipment that may have gotten wet

Step 2: Infrastructure Assessment

• [ ] Check utility status (power, water, internet, phone)
• [ ] Assess generator status and fuel levels
• [ ] Evaluate building environmental systems (HVAC, cooling)
• [ ] Test internet and phone connectivity
• [ ] Assess server room temperature and humidity

Step 3: System Recovery

Following your documented priority order:

• [ ] Power on systems carefully, checking for damage
• [ ] Verify backup integrity before restoring
• [ ] Restore systems according to dependency order
• [ ] Test each system before declaring it operational
• [ ] Monitor restored systems closely for issues

Step 4: Communication and Coordination

• [ ] Notify employees of facility and system status
• [ ] Communicate recovery timeline to customers
• [ ] Contact insurance carrier to initiate claims
• [ ] Coordinate with vendors for any needed equipment replacement
• [ ] Document all recovery activities for insurance and improvement

Geographic Considerations for NC Businesses

Coastal NC (Wilmington, Jacksonville, Outer Banks)

• Highest wind and storm surge risk
• Extended power outages likely
• Evacuation may prevent access for days
• Cloud-first strategy essential
• Consider secondary data center in Piedmont region

Piedmont Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point)

• Inland flooding risk from excessive rainfall
• Tornado risk from hurricane remnants
• Power outages from tree damage to power lines
• Generally shorter recovery times than coastal areas
• Still requires full preparedness (Helene proved inland risk)

Charlotte Metro

• Flash flooding in urban areas
• Extended power outages possible
• Strong winds from hurricane remnants
• Infrastructure generally more resilient but not immune
• Large tree canopy creates power line vulnerability

Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill)

• Flooding risk along major waterways
• Extended power outages from storm remnants
• Strong wind damage to trees and structures
• Good cloud connectivity when power is restored
• Multiple internet backbone connections for faster recovery

Annual Preparedness Calendar

How PDC Prepares NC Businesses for Hurricanes

Preferred Data Corporation has helped North Carolina businesses prepare for and recover from hurricanes since 1987:

• Cloud backup: Geographically diverse, immutable backup solutions
• Cloud migration: Moving critical systems to hurricane-proof infrastructure
• Network resilience: Redundant connectivity and failover
• Remote work: VPN and cloud-based collaboration infrastructure
• Testing: Annual disaster recovery drills and backup verification
• Recovery: Emergency response and system restoration after storms
• Planning: Comprehensive disaster preparedness documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

How far inland does a hurricane affect North Carolina IT infrastructure?

Hurricane Helene (2024) devastated western North Carolina, over 300 miles from the coast, with catastrophic flooding and infrastructure damage. No area of North Carolina is truly safe from hurricane effects. The Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, and Research Triangle all experience significant wind damage, flooding, and extended power outages from hurricanes and their remnants.

Should I move all my systems to the cloud for hurricane protection?

Cloud-first infrastructure significantly improves hurricane resilience because your systems operate from data centers far from the storm. However, you still need local network connectivity to access cloud systems. The best approach combines cloud-hosted critical systems with redundant internet connectivity and remote work capability.

How often should I test my backup restoration during hurricane season?

Test full restoration of at least one critical system monthly during hurricane season (June through November). Verify all backup jobs complete successfully daily. Conduct a comprehensive disaster recovery drill at least once before each hurricane season.

What if my internet is down for weeks after a hurricane?

Plan for alternative connectivity: cellular hotspots (4G/5G), satellite internet (Starlink), or temporary ISP solutions. PDC can pre-configure portable connectivity solutions that allow your team to access cloud systems even when landline internet is destroyed. Identify cellular carriers with the strongest local coverage as your backup.

Does my business insurance cover IT equipment damaged by hurricanes?

Standard commercial property insurance typically covers wind damage but often excludes flood damage. Business interruption insurance may cover lost revenue during recovery. Verify your specific policy covers flood, wind, power surge, and business interruption. Consider gap coverage for any exclusions, especially if you are in a flood-prone area.

Related Resources

• Business Continuity Planning for NC Manufacturers
• Disaster Recovery for Manufacturing
• Cloud Solutions - Hurricane-resilient infrastructure
• Data Protection Services - Immutable cloud backup
• Contact PDC - Start your hurricane preparedness plan

Do not wait for the forecast to start preparing. Preferred Data Corporation has protected North Carolina businesses through every major storm since 1987. BBB A+ rated, headquartered in High Point, serving the Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, Raleigh, and all of NC. Call (336) 886-3282 or schedule your preparedness assessment today.