Extreme weather events – including widespread flooding – have become more common in recent years. Floods are unpredictable, destructive, and costly to manage. While it is impossible to completely flood-proof your property, flood preparation can lower your business’ risk of damage and reduce business interruptions. Consider the following proactive steps to help minimize the potential disruption to your business:
- Create a business continuity plan – Most organizations have very bare-bones disaster plans but developing a robust business continuity plan that is regularly reviewed and updated can help to minimize business interruption should a flood occur.
- Create a flood plan – This may seem like a no-brainer but a flood plan is a written document that outlines how your business will respond to a flood. Floods can occur suddenly therefore businesses of all sizes should consider having a flood plan. This plan should be reviewed and updated annually as procedures can change. While a flood plan will not stop the flood from happening, it will make it easier for you to recover after an incident. Once you have a plan, ensure it is communicated to your staff.
- Protect your property – Make your premises more resistant to flooding by installing removable but watertight barriers or flood shields to prevent the passage of water through openings. Performing regular inspection and maintenance on your property can also identify areas that may leave you vulnerable to flooding
- Respond and recover – If flooding is likely or has occurred, be ready to act on your flood plan. Additionally, flood danger doesn’t end when waters subside therefore, having a trusted service provider that is able to quickly respond if your business is flooded can make a huge difference in your recovery effort.
Simply put, businesses and floods do not mix. Despite the prevalence of floods, many businesses are unprepared for these types of incidents.
