Disaster Planning and Preparedness

Protect Your Investment

Before Disaster Strikes

Disaster Planning and Preparedness Resources

Many may say that amenities and services are what hotels thrive on, and while the very heart of hospitality is to entertain and receive guests, behind the warmth and helpfulness of your hotel is a foundation of safety.

Your guests expect it, and your hotel can’t survive without it. But are you prepared for a flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster that will wreak havoc on your property?

If not, you could be at fault, and your hotel could suffer far beyond the initial threat. Knowing how to plan for natural disasters not only could save the lives of your guests, but it also can save your property millions of dollars in repairs, damages, and potential lawsuits.

Are You Ready for

Hurricane Season?

Plan Before a Natural Disaster

Planning long before the disaster occurs is key, which includes having:

Clear emergency evacuation plans to reference, such as exits, critical steps, and points of contact
A command center with security camera monitoring
Frequent training once a month or more so your staff is informed
Expert insurance and safety strategy consultants
Plans to contact outside resources, such as a PR staff for media communication during and after an event
Pre-loss risk assessments and insurance coverage reviews
Communication tools during an event, such as automated email and social media
Backup systems for online files and backup physical supplies for your guests

Signing Up to Provide FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance

If you are interested in making your hotel available to applicants of the FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance program, visit thiswebsite to sign up. Hotels that house applicants displaced by a disaster are eligible to obtain payment from (CLC) Corporate Lodging Consultants on behalf of FEMA.

To learn more about the program, access the Hotel User Guide.

FEMA and State Emergency Management Resources

Download the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Guide for Business and Industry for a step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response, and recovery for businesses of all sizes.
If you have not already done so, please download the FEMA mobile app as well as the one for your state (if available) to receive alerts, view evacuation routes, get safety reminders, locate open shelters, find disaster assistance, and upload photos to assist first responders.
Each state has a website with information on preparing for and recovering from natural disasters. Download our state-by-state guide to learn more.

Alabama Emergency Management Agency

Alaska Emergency Management Agency

Arizona Emergency Management

Arkansas Disaster Preparedness Resources

California Emergency Preparedness and Recovery

Colorado Emergency Management Agency

Connecticut Emergency Preparedness for Businesses

Visit the Website

Delaware Emergency Management Agency

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency

Idaho Office of Emergency Management

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Iowa Emergency Management

Kentucky Emergency Management

Louisiana Governor's Office of Emergency Preparedness

Maine Emergency Management Agency

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Michigan Emergency Management Division

Minnesota Department of Public Safety

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

Missouri State Emergency Management Agency

Montana Disaster and Emergency Services

Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

Nevada Division of Emergency Management

New Hampshire Department of Safety

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

New Mexico Department of Emergency Management

New York City Emergency Management

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

North Dakota Department of Emergency Services

Ohio Emergency Management Agency

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Oregon Office of Emergency Management

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

South Carolina Emergency Management Division

South Dakota Department of Public Safety

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

Texas Division of Emergency Management

Utah Department of Public Safety

Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Washington State Emergency Management Division

West Virginia Division of Emergency Management

Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management

Wildfires: How to Protect Your Business and Your Employees

Wildfires are becoming increasingly common and far more devastating in the U.S. As a business owner, you want to do everything you can to minimize the chances that your property will be destroyed by fire. But you also want to make sure all of your employees are kept safe.

Having a plan in place and knowing ahead of time what your legal obligations are toward your staff are critical to surviving one of nature's most destructive forces.

Wildfire Preparedness(SBA)
Wildfire Regulations(OSHA)
Prepare Your Organization for a Wildfire(FEMA)

Other Disaster Preparedness Resources

SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans The SBA provides low-interest loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters.Wildfire Preparedness
Disaster Financial Management Guide Identifies the capabilities and activities necessary to prepare and successfully implement disaster financial management while maintaining fiscal responsibility throughout response and recovery operations.Wildfire Regulations
How to Design a Disaster Plan in the Age of COVID-19 : These plans empower employees and management with the tools necessary to navigate a multidimensional disaster response Prepare Your Organization for a Wildfire

Ready.gov Business Toolkits

QuakeSmart Ready Business ToolkitWildfire Preparedness
Hurricane Ready Business ToolkitWildfire Regulations
Inland Flooding Ready Business ToolkitHurricane Ready Business Toolkit
Power Outage Ready Business ToolkitWildfire Regulations
Severe Wind Tornado Ready Business Toolkit

Industry Partner

The following Industry Partners provide generous ongoing support to AAHOA and our membership. We sincerely appreciate our Industry Partners' contributions to the association and the industry.