Disaster preparedness platform launched to help Texas small businesses

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Texas small businesses now have access to a disaster preparedness resource called BeforeDuringAfter. The site aims to be an emergency information hub.

It links small businesses to information from government agencies and news sites for breaking disaster updates to help improve businesses' preparation.

Along with preparation, the site features a recovery timeline that includes steps businesses can take to help them bounce back after disaster strikes. 

There are multiple organizations behind this platform.

It was created through a public-private partnership between Texas Mutual Insurance Company, TEXSAR, the Texas State University Institute for Government Innovation, OneStar Foundation, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, with additional support from Wells Fargo.

Effects of disasters on small businesses

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), several studies show the effects of disasters on small businesses.

The agency said 40% of small businesses that close in the wake of a disaster never reopen, and an additional 29% go out of business within two years of a disaster. 

"Catastrophic disasters often have the worst impact on unprepared businesses," FEMA said on its website. "Businesses with resumption plans are usually operational sooner than businesses without plans."