Hurricanes and Earthquakes and Wildfires, Oh My!—Key Disaster Preparedness Considerations for Employers
A rash of recent natural disasters, from hurricanes to earthquakes to wildfires, serves as a timely reminder to employers of the potential for natural disasters to disrupt their operations and cause imminent hazards in the workplace. Quick Hits Natural disasters may be unpredictable and devastating, but employers can take steps to mitigate the impact of natural disasters on their businesses and workforces. Employers may want to brush off and review their disaster-response plans and consider other legal implications for responding to natural disasters. Tropical Storm Debby has reportedly caused at least six deaths since making landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on August 5, 2024 . The storm is now progressing up the East Coast, dropping heavy rains and spawning tornadoes. Meanwhile, on August 6, a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Southern California, sparking fears of another devastating major earthquake. B oth come as wildfires continue to ravage the Pacific Northwest and Can...