Hurricane season POS readiness checklist

General best practice

What keeps working — and what stops

It depends on your platform and setup. Check each of these for yours.

• OrderingMany systems keep taking orders on the local network when the internet drops. Confirm yours does, and which devices it covers.
• Card approvalsOffline card payments are stored and sent for approval later. Some can be declined after the customer has left.
• Online orders and delivery appsThese stop arriving when your connection is down. Plan to pause them.
• EBT and some debitThese may not work offline. Have a plan for customers who rely on them.
• Printers and kitchen screensThey need power and your local network, even when the POS works offline.

General best practice

Power and internet

• Battery backup (UPS)For the modem, router, POS stations and at least one printer, so a flicker does not end a sale.
• Backup internetA cellular backup can carry card approvals when the main line is down. Test it before you need it.
• Surge protectionProtect POS hardware and network equipment, and follow each maker’s storm guidance.

General best practice

Generators: keep them outside and wired safely

Generator exhaust and improper wiring injure people after every storm.

• Outdoors only, 20 feet awayRun generators outside, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents — never in a garage or storeroom, even with the door open. Fit battery carbon-monoxide alarms.Source: cdc.gov (opens in a new tab)
• A transfer switch, installed by an electricianNever plug a generator into building wiring. Backfeeding endangers utility workers and neighbors.Source: cpsc.gov (opens in a new tab)
• Unplug before power returnsDisconnect electronics during an outage; power can surge when it is restored.Source: ready.gov (opens in a new tab)

General best practice

Staying in touch

• Text rather than callTexts get through more often when networks are busy. Agree a group text with staff before the season.Source: fcc.gov (opens in a new tab)
• Power for phones and internet-based linesInternet phone lines need backup power to work in an outage. Keep chargers and power banks with your paper kit.Source: fcc.gov (opens in a new tab)

General best practice

After the storm

• Restart in orderPower, then internet and network, then POS stations, then printers, kitchen screens and card terminals.
• Test a small card saleConfirm approvals, receipts and tips work before you reopen fully.
• Check stored paymentsMake sure offline payments were sent, and turn online ordering back on.

Questions owners ask

Common questions

Can a POS take cards without internet?

Many can, using an offline or store-and-forward mode, but it depends on the platform and your processor. Offline payments are approved later, so some can be declined after the sale.

Who loses the money if an offline payment is declined later?

Usually the business. That is why offline limits are a decision to make with your processor before the season, not during an outage.

Do we need backup internet?

If card approvals matter during outages, a tested cellular backup is the most common answer. It only helps if the modem and router also have backup power.

Can a specialist help us get ready?

Yes. Before the season starts, we can go through your offline settings, backup power and internet, and restart plan with you.

Official sources

• Ready.gov (FEMA): Ready Business (opens in a new tab)
• Ready.gov (FEMA): Ready Business Hurricane Toolkit (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• U.S. Small Business Administration: Prepare for emergencies (opens in a new tab)
• Santa Rosa County: ESF 18 — business and industry (opens in a new tab)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning (opens in a new tab)
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: Back up business data (opens in a new tab)
• Federal Communications Commission: Emergency communications tips (opens in a new tab)
• FloridaCommerce: Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan (opens in a new tab)