Ready To Recover
National Preparedness Month (NPM) is recognized every September to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe.
This September, we are encouraging Tennesseans to be Ready to Recover from emergencies and disasters. This initiative reflects Tennessee’s mission to equip individuals, families, businesses, and communities with the tools they need to prepare for emergencies and recover stronger, with an emphasis on long-term resilience and financial preparedness.
We are excited to partner with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), Tennessee Chamber of Commerce (TN Chamber), and Big I of Tennessee this National Preparedness Month for supporting material and impact.
Tennessee faces a variety of hazards, inlcuding tornadoes, floods, wildfires, severe storms, and even earthquakes. Every community is vulnerable in some way, but preparedness helps reduce the impact and speed up recovery.
Tips and tools for becoming recovery-ready:
- Protecting important documents before a disaster
- Understanding insurance coverage for your home and belongings
- Building financial preparedness through savings and planning
- Knowing what assistance is available following a disaster
- Mental health, emotional recovery, and community resilience following an event
Being financially prepared helps you recover faster after disaster strikes. This week, we’re focusing on steps you can take now to protect your assets and reduce stress later.
From understanding your insurance coverage to safely storing important documents, being Ready To Recover means planning ahead so you and your family can bounce back stronger.
“As part of creating a preparedness plan, I urge Tennesseans to meet with a licensed insurance professional and evaluate their insurance needs - especially learning more about flood and earthquake insurance policies,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “Many people mistakenly believe that they'll be covered by their homeowners policy if they're flooded. A traditional homeowners policy will not cover the costs of rebuilding after a flood; only a flood insurance policy can help. A flood insurance policy can't stop a flood, but it can help you avoid a financial disaster.”
Protect What Matters
- Review insurance, safeguard important documents, and know how to access aid.
- If a disaster strikes, having insurance for your home or business property is the best way to ensure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild, or replace whatever is damaged.
- Underinsurance can leave families and business owners unable to recover or forced to pay large out-of-pocket costs.
TEMA is launching the ReadyTN Business Program, a no-cost preparedness initiative to help businesses across all industries strengthen their readiness and resilience. The four-week certification program features a digital toolkit available on the ReadyTN app and TEMA website.
Participating businesses will focus on a key area of emergency readiness, guiding participants step-by-step through the process. Upon completion of all four weeks, businesses will be recognized as a Certified ReadyTN Business, showcasing their commitment to preparedness and their role in supporting a safer, more resilient Tennessee.
While the program supports businesses in preparing for and recovering from hazards, it does not replace insurance or serve as a complete business continuity plan. Instead, it provides a strong starting point for organizations to begin building their emergency preparedness strategy.
Mark Your Calendars
TN Chamber will host a webinar on Wednesday, September 24 from 11:30am-12:30 p.m. CT, focused on the critical importance of disaster preparedness and continuity planning for Tennessee businesses of all sizes.
“Prepared businesses not only recover more quickly, but they also play a critical role in helping their communities bounce back,” said Tennessee Chamber CEO Josh Brown. “At the Chamber, we’re committed to supporting preparedness efforts
that protect jobs, operations, and the long-term strength of our economy.”
The webinar is free and open to the public, but you must register through this link for access.
Disasters don’t end when the storm passes, recovery is a journey. This week focuses on the resources and relationships that make long-term recovery possible. Recovery can take a toll, but support is out there. From mental health services to community partnerships, being Ready To Recover means knowing where to find help and how to lend it. Together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities.
