In Alaska, resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s how we do business.
From volcanic eruptions and wildfires to earthquakes, coastal storms – and even global economic shifts – our state doesn’t exactly do “predictable.” And as recent rumblings around Mt. Spurr reminds us, disasters don’t wait for a “slow season.”
Just in the past year, Alaska has faced wildfires, severe storms, and numerous seismic events across the state. Now, the Alaska Volcano Observatory is closely monitoring Mt. Spurr, about 80 miles west of Anchorage, for signs of increased activity. While there are currently no indications that an eruption is imminent, it’s a timely reminder that staying prepared is essential.
The last time Mt. Spurr erupted in 1992, volcanic ash grounded flights across Southcentral Alaska and disrupted daily life and business operations. If it erupts again, we could see air travel halted, infrastructure damaged, supply chains slowed, and communities impacted from the Mat-Su Valley to the Kenai Peninsula and beyond. For small businesses, especially those that depend on freight, tourism, or local foot traffic, the consequences could be significant.
But natural disasters aren’t the only disruptions Alaska businesses face.
Today’s economic landscape includes volatile global trade, shifting tariff policies, labor shortages, and rising costs of goods and transportation. Many Alaskans are also watching changes in tourism trends, especially as cruise ship schedules shift or global events influence visitor numbers. Whether it’s inflation driving up the cost of fuel or a dip in seasonal travel, economic events can hit just as hard and often with less warning.
Disruptions whether natural or economic can ripple across the entire state and the nation. That’s why preparing for the unexpected isn’t just smart, it’s vital.
Prepare & Get Ahead of the Game
Depending on where you are, your business could be up against:
- Volcanoes (like Mt. Spurr or Great Sitkin – looking at you Southcentral and Aleutians!)
- Wildfires, especially in the Interior and Southcentral
- Earthquakes and aftershocks, anywhere, any time
- Coastal storms, flooding, and erosion, particularly in Western and Southeast Alaska
- Tsunamis in coastal areas following seismic activity
- Economic Disasters like tariff changes, tourism fluctuations, inflation, labor shortages, and rising costs of goods and services
5 Things You Can Do to Get Ready
Make your business storm-ready, ash-proof, and disruption-resilient:
- Update Your Emergency Plan
Who does what, when, and how? Make sure your team knows what to do in different scenarios, from a fast-moving wildfire to a volcanic ash cloud.
- Back Up the Important Stuff
Financial records, client info, inventory systems – store it all safely in the cloud or off-site to protect against damage or loss.
- Review Your Insurance
Take a fresh look at your coverage. Does it include business interruption? What about volcanic ash or flooding? Now’s the time to ask those questions.
- Rethink Your Supply Chain
If your main supplier gets cut off, do you have a Plan B (or C)? Build in some flexibility now to avoid costly delays later.
- Get Connected
Your chamber of commerce, local emergency managers, fellow business owners, and your Alaska SBDC advisor, we’re all on the same team. You don’t have to navigate preparedness or recovery alone.
Alaska SBDC is in Your Corner
We’re here to help Alaska businesses build resilience before, during, and after disaster strikes. Here’s how we can help:
- Free & Low-Cost Webinars
Get tips on continuity planning, risk management, and bouncing back stronger. - One-on-One Advising
Meet with an advisor to create a custom disaster game plan (physical or financial) or explore recovery resources like SBA disaster loans or emergency planning tools.
Whether you’re running a retail store in Nome, a lodge in Seward, or a food truck in Palmer, having a plan gives your business (and your community) a better chance to weather the storm.
Don’t Panic, Let’s Prepare
Here are some additional go-to sources to help you keep tabs on Alaska’s ever-changing environment:
- Alaska Volcano Observatory
- Alaska Earthquake Center
- Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- State of Alaska Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Guides
- Department of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development Disaster Prep
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Small Business Resilience Hub
- Small Business Administration: Prepare for Emergencies
- How Tariffs Can Impact Your Business and How to Prepare (SCORE)
- Disaster Preparedness Checklists (SCORE)
And of course, your Alaska SBDC is always just a call or click away.