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Your business is not only your livelihood, but it’s also one of your biggest assets.
When a flood strikes, it can be overwhelming, devastating, and extremely frustrating to try and recover your losses after the water has subsided.
Fortunately, proper preparation can help to minimize flood damage, and these easy steps will help you be better prepared whenever a flood watch or warning comes.
It’s almost impossible to be 100% certain you won’t be affected by a flood at some point, but by choosing an area out of the flood zone, you’re already on the right track.
Check your local maps to determine where the flood risk lies, and then choose your business location based on this information to minimize your risk.
New developments in building materials have helped businesses reduce possible flood damage. If your building has a basement, check to see what kind of material it is made of.
New flood-resistant materials like flooring, wall coverings, and insulation can hold up to direct contact with water for up to 72 hours.
If the weather indicates the possibility of a flood, be proactive to help protect your building and assets. Move all electronic equipment and computers off the floor and to a higher location.
Use sandbags and create your own “dam” around the perimeter of the building. While this isn’t always foolproof, it can help to keep water from rushing inside.
One of the most daunting tasks after a flood is the cleanup and recovery process. But this could be threatened if you don’t have adequate insurance coverage.
Consider paying for a professional risk assessment, and then adjust your current coverage accordingly. When a flood hits, you’ll have peace of mind along with more avenues to recoup any losses.
Just like you’d create an emergency plan for your family, you should also have one in place for your employees. Let everyone know what to do in the event of a flood and develop a good communication system in advance.
Whether it’s designating one person to make phone calls or sending out mass texts or emails, there should always be a plan in place to alert employees of danger in advance. It’s always best to err on the side of caution, so there may be days when you are closed until the flood has passed.
Physical files are helpful, but if your business gets flooded, the paperwork can be permanently destroyed. Always back up important information on a remote server, or create two copies of everything and store the second ones off-site.
If you lose data that cannot be recovered, it can be detrimental to your business.
Once the water has receded, it’s important to be vigilant and safe when you clean up. Consider hiring a professional crew that has the tools and equipment needed to safely clean up and restore your business.
Always be aware of active power and power lines, and wear protective clothing when entering a flooded area.
While flood damage is always traumatic, you and the safety of your employees is paramount. With these simple tips, you can rest assured you’ll be back to business as usual soon.
For more information on disaster planning and recovery, be sure to visit our website.
