Business call to action: Be prepared for weather disasters
Technically, we’re just heading into hurricane season and wildfire season, and halfway through tornado season. But in reality, these days weather-related disasters can occur almost anytime, like the fires in LA this January, and in unexpected places, like the massive flooding in North Carolina following hurricane Helene. Many communities are still reeling from these unprecedented events, but even “smaller” disasters like the recent tornados in the South and Midwest and the torrential rains in Kentucky can have a very long-lasting impact on the well-being of those in the path of destruction. And it’s important to remember that extreme heat – now a predictable feature of summer in the US – accounts for more weather-related deaths each year than all disasters combined.
While precise figures vary, recent estimates suggest that extreme weather events are costing the U.S around $150 billion each year. These costs can be direct, such as damage to property and infrastructure, or indirect, including lost productivity, healthcare expenses, and supply chain disruptions. From a human capital perspective, it is estimated there are over 65 million adult workers in occupations that put them at increased risk for climate-related health risks. That’s over four in ten of our non-elderly workers.
There is a clear call to action here for businesses to be prepared. Step One is to have a plan for what to do in the event of a weather-related emergency. A key part of that planning is to identify, quantify and address the vulnerabilities of your employees and their family members. We’ve discussed practical steps you can take in these posts on heat resiliency and supporting employees during an emergency. And the National Commission on Climate and Workforce Health offers free tools, training and events to help employers address the risk to employee health and business performance.
