The Restaurant Association has warned all businesses to be prepared ahead of the expected arrival of Cyclone Vaianu this weekend.
With Cyclone Vaianu forecast to reach New Zealand this weekend, severe weather warnings are in place for the whole of the North Island, and the Restaurant Association want to share important information to help businesses prepare. MetService advises that red severe weather warnings may be issued, bringing extremely heavy rain and high winds.
In some areas, the ground is already saturated from recent rain, which increases the risk of flooding and landslides.
While there is always hope conditions may not be as severe as predicted; the important thing is to act now, before the weather deteriorates. The safety of you, your team, and your whānau is the priority.
Have a Plan
- Monitor updates from MetService (metservice.com), National emergency (civildefence.govt.nz), along with your local Civil Defence group. Follow official advice.
- Review your business continuity plan, consider what you'd do if suppliers couldn't reach you, your building became inaccessible, or customers couldn't get to you.
- Talk your team through the plan so everyone knows what to expect, and make sure all staff contact details are up to date.
Secure Your Premises
- Move outdoor furniture, signage, and any loose items inside now; these can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
- Move stock to higher ground if there is any flooding risk, and move cleaning chemicals and toxic materials off the floor.
- If you are able, clear stormwater drains and gutters of debris, and check that roofing is secure.
- Do a walkthrough of the property, removing anything that could become flying debris.
Prepare for Power Outages
- Consider whether a backup generator is a realistic option for your business.
- Back up your critical data, and make sure you can access key information, emails, contracts, and customer lists, from off-site.
- Review your emergency supplies: torches, fresh batteries, first aid kits, brooms, mops, and buckets.
- Can you make plans around chilled and frozen stock if power is lost for an extended period?
Stay in Touch
- Confirm your communication plan with your team, WhatsApp or Facebook groups, which many of you will have in place with staff, work well when conditions are unpredictable.
- Check in with your key suppliers now about their ability to deliver over the coming days.
- Keep customers informed about any changes to opening hours or bookings, but avoid cancelling prematurely if conditions allow you to remain open.
Access the Restaurant Association's Action Hub here.
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