In the wake of the disaster that Hurricane Harvey left behind,experts estimate up to $23 billion dollars in damage in justtwo southeast Texas counties.

That number reflects market value, rather than total stormdamage, and doesn't include the storm's total reach. Experts arestill calculating the total cost of damage across the rest of Texasand Louisiana.

Whatever it is, it'll take many business owners — especiallythose of small businesses — years to rebuild, if they do at all.More than 40% of small businesses don't reopen after a disasterbecause they simply don't have the resources.

If the aftermath of Harvey isn't enough of a warning to businessowners about storms wreaking havoc, Hurricane Irma followed soonafter, hitting a majority of the western coast ofFlorida.

Irma was the most powerful hurricane on record, but it weakenedsubstantially after making landfall. Still, business owners,particularly in Florida, are now left assessing the damage.

Here are some serious issues to consider before the nexthurricane hits:

Develop a Business Continuity Plan

Harvey put the brakes on the fifth largest economy in the U.S.for a few days — and it's very slowly beginning to move again.

Obviously, it may not be possible (or safe) to work during ahurricane. However, depending on the effects of the storm, you maybe able to resume business at an alternate location — if you'veplanned in advance.

Before a storm hits, review your employees' contact informationto ensure it's up to date. It may be a snap to reach people onsocial media, email, by phone or text, but consider how poweroutages, cell service and even email servers might be affected by anatural disaster.

In addition to your employees, you should also make sure yoursuppliers and partner companies are available. If your supply chainis disrupted by the same natural disaster — or another one thatdoesn't directly affect you — you might still have to deal with thefallout. Consider contingent business interruption insurance toprotect against disruptions in your supply chain.

Get the Right Types of Insurance — and Review CoveragePeriodically

Business interruption insurance will cover expenses yourbusiness incurs if you can't operate due to a hurricane or othernatural disaster. Review your limits periodically to ensure you'vegot adequate coverage. It's easy to underestimate what you need totry and save money — in reality, business might resume just a fewdays after a storm hits, but you could feel the effects long afterit.

On the other hand, if your business has been severely damaged,you may need to rebuild. Make sure your business interruptioninsurance includes coverage for payroll. If you can't work remotelyduring the rebuilding phase, you want to ensure that your employeesare compensated until they're able to work again.

Typical property insurance covers the effects of naturaldisasters like lightning damage or wind damage. But it doesn'tcover damage caused by flooding. Hurricane Harvey dumped anunprecedented 51.8 inches of rain on parts of Houston, which ismore rain than the city usually accumulates in a year.

Many businesses in the storm's path did not have floodinsurance, which means there may be few options for filingflood-related claims. Business owners should look to the federalgovernment's National Flood Insurance Program, which can issuepolicies that cover businesses in the event of a flood.

Consider the Emotional Toll onEmployees

Your business was hit by a hurricane; that means your employees'homes were likely affected, too. Hurricane Harvey displaced anestimated one million people. While getting your business back upand running is a priority for you, consider the impact of the stormon your colleagues.

Following a natural disaster, it's important to keep the linesof communication open and be flexible with employees as they dealwith damage to their homes. Put policies in place before a stormhits that outline how you'll handle working after the storm. Youremployees may need to work flexible hours while they care for kidswho aren't able to go to school or elderly relatives who typicallylive on their own or at a nursing home or assisted livingfacility.

Organize and Protect Your Records

In the days leading up to a forecasted hurricane or other severeweather, you'll likely want to spend it preparing for physicaldamage, preparing to evacuate and making sure that your family andyour employees' families are safe. You don't want to spend itscrambling to organize your policy files.

While most of the information you need is on the web, make sureyou know you can easily access it from your phone. You might alsowant to print out backup copies of policies and carry them with youso you can reach out to insurers after the event.

Put Your Smartphone to Use

When it's time to assess the damage and begin rebuilding, putyour smartphone to use. Take pictures and video to capture thedamage to your business. As an added measure, take pictures ofpaper receipts during your rebuilding efforts as a backup. It's aneasy way to help you document your expenses that can contribute toyour deductible.

These recent powerful storms are a reminder to prepare ahead oftime for these types of natural disasters — even if you don't thinkit can happen to you. No doubt, some businesses beginning therebuilding process after Harvey believed it would never happen tothem either. But the storm proved, once again, it's better to besafe than sorry.