Winter is part of life in International Falls, Minnesota, but severe winter weather can still create serious challenges for local businesses. Heavy snow, blowing snow, freezing temperatures, icy roads, power interruptions, delayed deliveries, and hazardous walking conditions can affect everything from staffing and customer traffic to inventory and cash flow. For a small business, even a single storm that closes the doors for several days can create expenses that continue while revenue stops.

The key is to treat winter preparedness as a business continuity issue rather than simply a snow-removal task. A successful plan should answer practical questions before a storm arrives: When should employees stay home? Who has authority to close the business? Which employees can work remotely? How much backup inventory is necessary? How will customers learn about modified hours? Who will clear the parking lot and sidewalks? Does the insurance policy cover the types of losses the business could experience?

International Falls businesses also need to account for the realities of operating in a northern community. The City of International Falls has a formal snow and ice control policy that prioritizes commercial areas during municipal snow-removal operations, but business owners remain responsible for managing hazards around their own premises. The city notes that its snow-removal operations depend on weather and equipment safety, and commercial areas receive Priority I treatment. That makes it especially important for individual businesses to have their own property-level plan.

Make Employee Safety the First Winter Priority

A winter storm plan should begin with employees, not sales targets. A business cannot operate effectively if workers are being asked to drive through dangerous conditions, shovel snow without proper equipment, or remain outdoors during dangerously cold weather simply to keep the doors open.

Employers should establish clear rules for when employees should report to work, when shifts will be delayed, and when operations will be suspended. The policy should explain who makes the final decision and how that decision will be communicated.

For example, a business might establish three operating levels. Under normal winter conditions, employees report as scheduled while taking ordinary precautions. During significant weather, managers evaluate road conditions, storm warnings, parking-lot conditions, and employee commuting concerns before opening. During a severe storm or dangerous travel period, the business may close completely or move eligible operations online.

This approach is better than leaving every employee to interpret the situation independently.

Employers should also train workers about cold-weather hazards. OSHA recommends training workers to recognize cold stress, slippery surfaces, strong winds, downed power lines, and other hazards associated with winter weather. It also recommends appropriate work practices, warm areas for breaks, reliable communication, and limiting outdoor exposure during extremely cold conditions.

For International Falls businesses, this matters particularly for employees who work outside, load deliveries, clear entrances, operate equipment, make deliveries, or travel between locations.

A written winter safety policy can address:

• When employees should avoid traveling to work
• How storm-related absences should be reported
• Whether shifts may be delayed or canceled
• Who has authority to close the facility
• How outdoor work is modified during extreme cold
• Required footwear and winter clothing
• Safe procedures for snow and ice removal
• How employees report hazardous conditions
• How employees communicate if they become stranded or delayed

Businesses should never assume that workers automatically understand the risks of cold exposure or icy surfaces. A short training session before winter can prevent confusion when a storm is already underway.

Establish a Remote Work Protocol Before the Storm

Remote work can be one of the most valuable tools for businesses that have office-based employees. But simply telling employees to “work from home if necessary” is not a complete remote-work policy.

Business owners should decide in advance which positions can operate remotely and which cannot. Administrative employees, bookkeepers, customer-service representatives, sales staff, marketing personnel, and some managers may be able to continue working from home. Retail clerks, mechanics, warehouse workers, food-service employees, and other hands-on positions may not have the same option.

The remote-work plan should specify how employees access company systems, communicate with supervisors, protect customer information, and track working hours. Employees should also know whether they are expected to take company equipment home before a storm or whether they should maintain their own backup arrangements.

A useful approach is to create a storm decision matrix. When a winter storm warning International Falls page shows an active warning, for example, the business can automatically review its staffing plan, evaluate travel conditions, shift eligible employees to remote work, and notify customers about modified hours.

The important point is that the weather alert should trigger a predetermined process rather than a last-minute debate.

Businesses should also maintain backup communication methods. If the primary internet connection fails, employees may need mobile hotspots or other alternatives. Critical contact information should not exist only on a computer inside the business.

Build Inventory and Supply Chain Buffers

Winter storms can create problems even when a business's own building remains completely undamaged. Deliveries may be delayed, suppliers may temporarily close, freight carriers may change schedules, and employees may be unable to receive shipments.

Small businesses should identify which products and materials are genuinely critical to daily operations. Not everything needs a large safety stock. The goal is to protect essential operations without tying up excessive cash in inventory.

A restaurant, for example, may need additional shelf-stable ingredients, cleaning supplies, packaging, and other essential materials before a major storm. A hardware store may want sufficient stock of winter-related products and basic operational supplies. A professional office may need printer supplies, paper, backup batteries, and other materials necessary to continue working remotely.

Businesses should identify their most important suppliers and determine whether alternative vendors exist. If one supplier is located hundreds of miles away and regularly faces transportation delays during major storms, depending entirely on that source creates unnecessary risk.

Inventory planning should also include business-essential supplies such as:

• Battery-powered lighting
• Backup batteries and charging equipment
• Deicing materials
• Shovels and snow-removal tools
• Cleaning supplies
• Emergency food and water for employees
• Packaging and shipping materials
• Essential maintenance parts
• Backup fuel where legally and safely appropriate
• Paper copies of critical contact information

Owners should review inventory levels before the most active part of winter rather than waiting until a storm is forecast. Once a major storm is approaching, suppliers and retailers may already be dealing with unusually high demand.

Protect Critical Business Data and Equipment

A winter storm can also become a technology emergency. Power interruptions, frozen pipes, roof damage, or building access problems can prevent employees from reaching servers, computers, documents, and equipment.

Small businesses should regularly back up important records and confirm that backups can actually be restored. Critical accounting, customer, payroll, inventory, and operational information should not exist in only one physical location.

Businesses should also document equipment and property. The Minnesota Department of Commerce notes that business property can include buildings, inventory, equipment, computers, furniture, machinery, supplies, signs, fences, and other assets.

Photographs, receipts, serial numbers, and inventory records can make an insurance claim much easier to document after a loss.

If possible, essential equipment should also be protected against cold and moisture. Pipes near exterior walls should receive attention, heating systems should be maintained, and vulnerable areas of the building should be inspected before severe weather arrives.

Create a Customer Communication Plan for Closures

Customers generally understand that winter storms can disrupt business. What frustrates them is uncertainty.

If a business closes without explanation, customers may drive through dangerous conditions only to discover a locked door. A simple communication strategy can prevent that problem.

Businesses should decide which channels they will use for storm announcements. Depending on the company, these could include a website banner, Google Business Profile updates, email, text messages, social media, voicemail, or an automated phone greeting.

The message should be simple and specific. Instead of saying “closed because of weather,” explain whether the business is closed for the entire day, opening late, closing early, or operating remotely.

A useful closure announcement can include:

• Current operating status
• Expected reopening time
• Whether appointments are being rescheduled
• Whether online orders remain available
• How customers can contact the business
• When the next update will be posted

Businesses should also avoid promising a reopening time if conditions are uncertain. It is better to say that an update will be provided at a specific time than to announce an optimistic reopening that later becomes impossible.

For appointment-based businesses, employees should have access to customer contact information so appointments can be rescheduled quickly.

Review Insurance Before Winter Arrives

Insurance is another area where preparation should happen long before a storm. Business owners should meet with their insurance professional to review property coverage, business interruption coverage, liability protection, equipment coverage, and other policies relevant to the company's operations.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce explains that commercial property insurance can cover physical buildings and business assets, while policy forms and exclusions determine which types of damage are covered. It specifically notes that broader property coverage can include risks such as roof collapse caused by snow or ice, depending on the policy.

Do not assume every winter-related loss is automatically covered.

Ask the insurer about situations such as:

• Roof damage from accumulated snow or ice
• Frozen or burst pipes
• Water damage
• Equipment damage
• Spoiled inventory
• Power interruption
• Business interruption
• Extra expenses during a shutdown
• Damage to outdoor property
• Customer injury claims
• Contractor-related incidents

Business interruption coverage deserves special attention. A small business can suffer substantial losses when it cannot operate even though its building is eventually repaired. The Minnesota Department of Commerce notes that business interruption coverage is tied to the nature of the business and that companies should also have sufficient funds to cover the initial days of a disruption.

Insurance policies can be complicated, so business owners should review actual policy language with a qualified insurance professional rather than relying on assumptions.

Take Slip-and-Fall Liability Seriously

Snow and ice around storefronts create one of the most obvious winter risks for businesses. Customers may encounter slippery sidewalks, icy entranceways, compacted snow, wet floors, or snow-covered parking areas.

Minnesota's Department of Commerce explains that commercial general liability insurance can cover bodily injury claims involving people who are injured on business premises, subject to the policy's terms and exclusions.

Insurance, however, should not be treated as a substitute for reasonable safety practices.

Businesses should establish a documented inspection and maintenance process. Employees or contractors can inspect entrances, sidewalks, stairs, ramps, parking areas, and other pedestrian routes at regular intervals during winter weather.

Documentation matters. A simple log can record:

• Inspection time
• Weather conditions
• Areas checked
• Snow or ice observed
• Deicing performed
• Snow removal completed
• Employee or contractor responsible
• Follow-up inspection time

OSHA recommends clearing snow and ice from walking surfaces and using deicer as quickly as practical after a winter storm. It also recommends that workers use footwear with good traction and take shorter steps when walking on unavoidable snow or ice.

Inside the store, melting snow can create another hazard. Entry mats should be appropriate for wet winter conditions, and employees should monitor floors for puddles. Warning signs can help draw attention to temporary hazards while cleanup is underway.

Business owners should also pay attention to lighting. Winter brings long periods of darkness, and poorly illuminated sidewalks, steps, entrances, and parking areas can increase the risk of falls.

Use Written Snow Removal Contracts

A snow-removal agreement should be much more specific than “contractor will remove snow.”

Businesses should clarify exactly what the contractor is responsible for and when service will occur. The contract might address parking lots, sidewalks, loading areas, entrances, stairs, ramps, drainage areas, snow hauling, salting, and follow-up service.

Important questions include:

• What snowfall amount triggers service?
• Does the contractor plow during the storm or afterward?
• How quickly will sidewalks be treated?
• Is deicing included?
• Who monitors refreezing?
• Who handles snow piles?
• Where may snow be stored?
• Who responds to emergency calls?
• What happens during back-to-back storms?
• Is the contractor insured?
• Are certificates of insurance available?
• Who is responsible for documenting service?

The city's own snow-control policy notes that commercial areas receive high priority during municipal operations, but private property still requires its own management.

Businesses should not assume that city snowplowing will make their storefront safe. Municipal street clearing and private-property snow management are separate responsibilities.

Before winter, businesses should confirm that their contractor has enough equipment and staffing to serve all contracted customers during a major storm. The cheapest contract may not be the best contract if the contractor becomes overwhelmed precisely when service is needed most.

Understand Workers' Compensation Responsibilities

Winter preparation should also include workers' compensation. Minnesota generally requires employers to provide workers' compensation insurance for employees, subject to statutory exceptions. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry states that there is no minimum employee threshold for the general requirement, meaning even a business with one part-time employee may generally need coverage.

This becomes particularly relevant when employees are asked to perform unusual winter duties.

A retail employee who normally works at a register might be asked to shovel snow. A maintenance worker may be sent outside during freezing conditions. A delivery employee may be asked to travel during hazardous weather.

Employers should make sure workers understand the proper equipment, procedures, and reporting requirements before assigning these tasks.

Employees should also know how to report an injury promptly. Minnesota DLI advises employees to tell their employer immediately about workplace injuries, after obtaining emergency medical attention when necessary.

The safest approach is to prevent injuries rather than rely on insurance after an incident.

Prepare for Power and Heating Interruptions

International Falls businesses should also plan for the possibility that a winter storm causes a power or heating interruption.

The response depends heavily on the type of business. A small office may be able to send everyone home and continue remotely. A restaurant, grocery business, childcare operation, healthcare-related business, or other facility may have more complicated concerns.

Business owners should identify which equipment must remain operational and which systems can be safely shut down.

If generators are used, they should be installed and operated according to applicable safety requirements. Generators must never be operated inside buildings, garages, or other enclosed spaces because of carbon monoxide hazards.

Businesses should also know how to protect temperature-sensitive inventory and how long their facilities can remain safely unheated.

Create a Storm Leadership Structure

During a storm, employees should not have to guess who is in charge.

Assign specific responsibilities before winter begins. One person might oversee employee communications, another customer communications, another facilities and snow removal, and another insurance or documentation.

For very small businesses, one owner may handle multiple roles. Even then, there should be a backup person who can make decisions if the owner cannot reach the business.

The plan should include current phone numbers and alternative communication methods. Important information should be available outside the physical workplace in case employees cannot enter the building.

Conduct a Pre-Winter Business Inspection

Before serious winter weather arrives, walk around the entire property.

Inspect the roof, gutters, downspouts, exterior lighting, doors, windows, pipes, heating equipment, parking lot, sidewalks, stairs, ramps, loading areas, drainage points, and emergency exits.

Look for anything that could become a larger problem after several inches of snow or repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Check whether snow-storage areas have already been designated. Snow piled in the wrong location can block visibility, drainage, entrances, or pedestrian routes.

Also inspect signage and exterior fixtures. Heavy snow and ice can place additional stress on outdoor structures and equipment.

Build a Simple Winter Business Continuity Plan

A good winter plan does not need to be hundreds of pages long. What matters is that employees can understand it and act on it quickly.

At minimum, the plan should explain:

Before the storm: Monitor forecasts, contact employees, check inventory, confirm snow-removal service, protect equipment, and review critical operations.

During the storm: Prioritize safety, monitor conditions, communicate with customers, shift eligible employees to remote work, and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure.

After the storm: Inspect the property, document damage, clear pedestrian routes, check utilities, communicate reopening plans, and contact insurers or contractors when necessary.

Businesses should review the plan every year. Contractors change, employees leave, technology changes, insurance policies are renewed, and the physical property may be modified.

Winter Preparedness Is an Investment in Business Continuity

For small businesses in International Falls, winter storms are not simply inconvenient days on the calendar. They can affect employees, customers, suppliers, inventory, buildings, cash flow, and business reputation simultaneously.

The strongest preparation is therefore layered. Employee safety policies reduce injuries. Remote-work procedures keep eligible employees productive. Inventory buffers reduce supply interruptions. Clear customer communication protects relationships. Insurance reviews reduce financial surprises. Snow and ice documentation helps manage liability concerns. Professional snow-removal contracts keep storefronts accessible.

Most importantly, business owners should make major decisions before the storm rather than during it.

A business that already knows when to close, who will contact employees, how customers will be notified, which supplies need backup inventory, who will remove snow, and what insurance applies will have far less confusion when severe weather arrives.

International Falls businesses cannot control the weather, but they can control how prepared they are for it. A practical winter continuity plan turns an unpredictable storm into a manageable operational event—and can help a small business protect its people, customers, property, and ability to reopen when conditions improve