How to Work from Home During a Hurricane | FlexJobs

If you live in or recently relocated to an area prone to hurricanes, you probably know that preparing for the storm is key to staying safe. But what if you’re a remote worker as well? You have the advantage of being able to continue working when traditional in-person roles might be limited for a while.

And when you work for a company not located in the same area as you, and they’re continuing business as usual, this is especially helpful. Consider a few simple things you can do to ensure you stay connected and safe during a hurricane while maintaining your workflow to the best extent possible.

Maintaining Your Productivity During Hurricane Season

Without a doubt, working remotely during hurricane season can be significantly more challenging, but it’s not impossible. To help your job weather the storm, consider the following tips that many digital nomads use to keep their workflow going. Then, schedule time to prepare and put some of your backup plans in place.

— Create Your Plan

As hurricane season approaches, brainstorm any new work variables that might be affected. Then, create a plan to meet those needs. For example, that often includes backup power sources, internet access, and other essentials you need to do your job. For example, if you rely on power from the grid, make sure you have a backup generator or another power source. Also, take the time to ensure that all of your laptop and phone batteries are consistently getting charged and ready to go.

For connectivity needs, it’s best to have a backup, such as a dial-up connection, a mobile hotspot, or another way to get online. If your duties allow, consider using a secure way to store files so you can work offline if needed. By taking these steps beforehand, you can minimize the disruption to your work.

— Back Up Files

It’s a best practice to back up any electronic documents or essential files to the cloud or an internal company server prior to the storm. This ensures that other members of the team will be able to continue working on tasks that you can’t get to and also protects important information if anything happens to your computer.

Along those same lines, ensure that if you’re having to evacuate, you’re either taking your work laptop with you or ensuring the safety of any sensitive data, rather than leaving it vulnerable while you’re away.

— Stay Informed

Anyone who has lived through a hurricane can attest that the most important thing you can do is stay up to date on the latest weather reports. Official sources, like the National Hurricane Center, are your best bet for getting accurate and timely information about a potential storm. With that information, you can communicate with your teams when you’ll be out of touch and when they might expect you back online.

— Scout Backup Locations

While you most likely won’t be going anywhere during the storm, there is generally a lengthy cleanup period after a hurricane is over. During these hours or days, power crews are working on restoring power to everyone, and urban areas centered around infrastructure such as hospitals often take priority.

Take the time to scout out alternative work locations, such as a coworking space or coffee shop, that might have power restored before your home does. You might have quite a few coworkers for a bit with the same intentions that you have, so bring your noise-canceling headset along with you.

— Communicate Frequently

If possible, maintain communication with work during and directly after the storm. If you have cell service but can’t keep your internet connection, try using an app or email on your phone. Ensure you’re communicating realistic expectations about what you can accomplish during this time and what you’re limited by.

There’s no need to go into lengthy detail, but briefly alerting your boss and your team to the challenges you’re facing in connectivity can help you all work together to meet deadlines and maintain your workflow.

— Be Flexible

The days and weeks after the storm can be just as chaotic as the storm itself. Trees and power lines are down, and roads are littered with debris. Amid all this chaos, it’s essential to be flexible with your work schedule and to prioritize your most urgent tasks.

You may have to take time off from work to clean up or attend to repairs, and you may not be able to get to everything on your to-do list due to slower connectivity. But by being flexible and prioritizing wisely, you’ll be able to get through the hurricane and its aftermath with less work stress.

— Above All, Stay Safe

It can’t be overstated—in an impending storm, work can wait if there’s any concern about your loved ones or the safety of your home. Even if you’re not in the path of the storm, power outages and hazardous driving conditions can make it challenging to get to work. So, if there’s any doubt, err on the side of caution and stay home. Your boss will understand, and your family will be grateful.

Weathering a Hurricane When You Work Remotely

Stay safe this hurricane season by being proactive and flexible. Natural disasters can disrupt everyday life for days and weeks at a time, but by being prepared and flexible, you can weather the storm. Take a few simple precautions, and you can ensure that your work flow has minimal impact.