When the Storm Hit Buena
A storm changed the week.
What followed became a lesson in fast communication, careful documentation, business coverage and the community that helped Buena Vista Studio move forward.
Safety before business.
Our team was out of town when the storm moved through San Antonio. The following morning, we learned that Buena Vista Studio had been damaged and returned to assess the space ourselves.
We found shattered windowpanes, broken glass and a large opening where part of a historic industrial window had been blown out. The building was also without power and air conditioning. We could not guarantee a safe, comfortable or professional experience, so we closed for the week.
This was not limited to our studio. Homes and businesses experienced fallen trees, property damage and outages. FOX San Antonio reported that more than 104,000 customers were without power at the storm’s peak.
Read the FOX San Antonio reconstruction →“You do not need every answer before you communicate. You do need to be prompt, honest and clear.”
A small business lesson from the week Buena went dark
Twelve renters. Twelve real conversations.
As soon as we confirmed the damage, we posted updates online and personally contacted renters with upcoming reservations.
Twelve renters were affected. Each person could reschedule or receive a complete refund. We did not know exactly when power would return or when repairs would be finished, but nobody should have been left wondering what would happen to their session or payment.
The disruption was outside our control. How we treated people during it was not.
Watch the storm footage on Instagram →Take the pictures first.
As photographers, reaching for a camera comes naturally. This time, the images were not content. They were records.
We photographed the broken glass, damaged windows, surrounding areas and temporary repairs. Those images established the condition of the property and created a timeline for our landlord, maintenance team and insurance conversations.
- Wait until the property is safe to enter.
- Photograph the full area and close details before cleanup.
- Record damaged equipment and identifying information.
- Preserve original files and photograph temporary repairs.
- Keep receipts, estimates and written communication together.
We worked closely with our landlord and maintenance team, and the damaged window was replaced within the week. Until then, a wood covering blocked part of the natural light our renters book the studio to use.
Review the IRS recordkeeping guide →“Insured” does not answer every question.
At the time of the storm, we carried commercial general liability insurance. The closure forced us to examine what that protection was designed to do and what it was not designed to do.
General liability, commercial property and business income coverage address different risks. A Business Owner’s Policy may bundle them, but its limits, exclusions, deductibles and waiting periods still matter.
We are studio owners, not insurance experts. Every business should have a licensed commercial insurance professional review its actual policy and risks.
| Coverage | Generally helps with | Does not automatically cover | Ask your agent |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability | Third-party bodily injury or property damage claims. | Your own damaged equipment or lost income. | Which claims and legal costs are included? |
| Commercial property | Covered equipment, furniture and certain improvements. | Lost revenue simply because operations stopped. | Which property and weather events are covered? |
| Business income | Eligible lost income during certain covered shutdowns. | Every closure or outage regardless of cause. | What triggers coverage, and is physical damage required? |
| Business Owner’s Policy | A package that may combine liability, property and interruption coverage. | Anything excluded by the provisions inside it. | Which limits, deductibles and waiting periods apply? |
Swipe horizontally on smaller screens to compare coverage types.
NAIC business interruption guidance →
Texas Department of Insurance guidance →
A crisis checklist for small businesses.
Our response came down to six essentials: protect people, preserve evidence, contact the right parties, care for customers, reopen thoughtfully and review the gaps afterward.
- Protect people first. Close until the space is safe and comfortable.
- Document the damage. Take photos and track repairs and expenses.
- Notify the right people. Contact the landlord, utilities and insurance professional.
- Contact customers directly. Offer clear refund or rescheduling options.
- Reopen thoughtfully. Restore the complete experience, not only access.
- Review the gaps. Revisit the lease, insurance and emergency plan.
This was bigger than Buena.
Families were dealing with damaged homes, fallen trees and power outages. Local businesses were protecting their properties, contacting customers and determining when they could reopen.
Friends checked on us. Renters responded with patience. Members of the creative community offered help. To everyone who reached out or gave us grace during the closure: thank you. It means more than you know.
Please know the care goes both ways. We are here for our neighbors, fellow business owners and creative community when you need support too.
Helpful resources.
- SBA business insurance overview →
- NAIC business interruption guidance →
- Texas Department of Insurance guidance →
- FEMA flood insurance information →
- SBA disaster assistance →
- IRS business recordkeeping guide →
This article shares our experience and provides general educational information. Buena Vista Studio is not an insurance agency, law firm or financial advisor. Consult qualified professionals about your specific coverage and responsibilities.
