In our work with clients, we've seen firsthand the consequences of inadequate preparedness. Too often, organisations either lack a hurricane response plan entirely or rely on outdated and ineffective frameworks. In high-risk regions, we’ve observed critical operations severely impacted due to insufficient planning.
The result? Significantly longer recovery times, increased costs, and lasting reputational damage – outcomes that could have been avoided with a proactive approach.
With experts predicting an above-average 2025 hurricane season, now is the time to strengthen your hurricane readiness, response, and recovery strategies. It’s about anticipating risks, learning from the past, and viewing the associated cost as an investment, not an expense.
Readiness: the cornerstone of resilience
A strong crisis management plan is essential. It empowers your organisation to anticipate threats, respond effectively, and recover swiftly – minimising downtime and disruption.
Your hurricane preparedness must be fully aligned with your broader crisis management and business continuity frameworks. Integration ensures consistency, clarity, and speed when it matters most.
Pre-established relationships can make all the difference. Governments will prioritise critical infrastructure and public safety. Vendors providing essential services – evacuations, emergency medical support, security – will support existing clients first. That’s why engaging key partners before disaster strikes is critical. Understanding their capabilities and aligning expectations in advance helps secure support.
Preparedness is an investment, not an expense
Developing a robust plan requires time, resources, and commitment. Budgeting for training, external expertise, and insurance is essential, but these costs pale in comparison to the impact of being unprepared.
Operational downtime, lost productivity, reputational harm, legal exposure and even risks to life and safety are all at stake. Organisations that invest in readiness experience faster recoveries and more controlled outcomes.
Hurricane Otis: a timely and cooperative disaster response
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Otis, Control Risks provided crisis management and logistical security support to multiple clients in Acapulco, Mexico.
Initially underestimated, Otis rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, striking the western coast on 25 October with 165 mph winds. The storm devastated infrastructure, cut off communications, and created a volatile security environment marked by looting and shortages.
With around 80 client employees unaccounted for, Control Risks quickly mobilised. Using fragmented text messages and working closely with clients’ crisis teams, we pieced together a picture of the situation on the ground.
Despite the lack of a government response, our team launched into action. Equipped with food, fuel, water, and medical supplies, two SUVs made the 400km journey into the disaster zone. Navigating blocked roads and security risks, our team located employees—some in hotels, others on the streets—and brought them to safety.
Once all personnel were accounted for, we coordinated a full evacuation using additional SUVs and buses. With conditions worsening, speed and caution were critical. Within 48 hours, all client employees were safely relocated to Mexico City.
Lessons learned
This operation underscored the importance of rapid response and readiness. Waiting for official channels could have endangered lives. In a world where total communication blackouts are rare, this event was a stark reminder of the need for proactive crisis planning. Our preparedness—and that of our clients—ensured a successful outcome under extreme conditions.
Tailored strategies
Control Risks can help you design and implement comprehensive preparedness, response, and recovery strategies tailored to your organisation’s unique risk profile. Don’t wait for a crisis to test your resilience. Act now to protect your people, assets, and operations.