Flood safety tips and resources for businesses
Flooding occurs when water temporarily overflows onto normally dry land. Numerous factors, including, heavy rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges, overflowing rivers and dam failures can cause the rise in water. Widespread flooding can lead to property damage, power outages and potential hazards. We are here to help you get back to business should you need to file a claim.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for elevated water levels and keep your employees and property safe.
Prepare today
- Have a plan in place by developing a written business continuity plan that includes flood preparedness. Make sure employees know what to do if there is a flood risk.
- Determine if you are in a flood zone and if areas close to you are prone to flooding.
- Map out roadways that are at risk of flooding and learn alternate routes.
- Purchase a weather radio with local discrimination capability.
- Stay alert by signing up and paying attention to weather alerts.
- Have emergency backup power lined up for your facility before you are faced with a weather hazard.
- Review your business insurance coverage.
If a flood is coming
- Secure outdoor heating and cooling units, including HVAC, turbines and exhaust fans.
- Move items inside (outdoor equipment, materials, furniture) as they may move during a flood and cause damage.
- Charge your phone and electronic devices.
- Park your fleet in a garage and take the keys with you to a secure location.
- Remove items from the floor and bring them to higher floors if possible, to help protect against water damage.
- Take photographs so you have a pre-flood record of your property.
During the flood
- Get to higher ground if your location is subject to flooding.
- Listen to weather updates and have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
- Avoid floodwaters as it is not safe to drive or walk through them.
- Disconnect utilities and electric appliances.
- If instructed to do so, turn off your electricity and natural gas (as long as you are able to do it in a safe manner and while not standing in water).
- Follow evacuation orders and watch for warning signs.
After the flood
- Tune into weather updates for news on impacted areas and safety concerns.
- Avoid disaster areas and floodwaters.
- Wait for confirmation that it is safe to return to areas impacted by flooding.
- If your property has been impacted by flooding:
- Clean up pools of water
- Dry damp areas to prevent mold and mildew.
- Move damp items outdoors when safe to prevent mold growth.
- Move items away from damp areas.
Be sure to notify our claims team immediately if there is damage and protect the property while mitigating any future risk.
SOURCES:
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Explore flood resources
Find tips on additional ways to stay protected during a flood:
- Emergency preparedness for floods
- The power of water: How to prepare and protect your business from floods
- Flood preparation
- Water damage prevention for commercial buildings
- Protecting communication and sensitive electronic equipment from lightning and voltage surges
- Protecting perishables - Don't let spoilage ruin your business
Flood safety tips and resources for businesses
Flooding occurs when water temporarily overflows onto normally dry land. Numerous factors, including, heavy rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges, overflowing rivers and dam failures can cause the rise in water. Widespread flooding can lead to property damage, power outages and potential hazards. We are here to help you get back to business should you need to file a claim.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for elevated water levels and keep your employees and property safe.
Prepare today
- Have a plan in place by developing a written business continuity plan that includes flood preparedness. Make sure employees know what to do if there is a flood risk.
- Determine if you are in a flood zone and if areas close to you are prone to flooding.
- Map out roadways that are at risk of flooding and learn alternate routes.
- Purchase a weather radio with local discrimination capability.
- Stay alert by signing up and paying attention to weather alerts.
- Have emergency backup power lined up for your facility before you are faced with a weather hazard.
- Review your business insurance coverage.
If a flood is coming
- Secure outdoor heating and cooling units, including HVAC, turbines and exhaust fans.
- Move items inside (outdoor equipment, materials, furniture) as they may move during a flood and cause damage.
- Charge your phone and electronic devices.
- Park your fleet in a garage and take the keys with you to a secure location.
- Remove items from the floor and bring them to higher floors if possible, to help protect against water damage.
- Take photographs so you have a pre-flood record of your property.
During the flood
- Get to higher ground if your location is subject to flooding.
- Listen to weather updates and have a battery-operated radio handy in the event of a power outage.
- Avoid floodwaters as it is not safe to drive or walk through them.
- Disconnect utilities and electric appliances.
- If instructed to do so, turn off your electricity and natural gas (as long as you are able to do it in a safe manner and while not standing in water).
- Follow evacuation orders and watch for warning signs.
After the flood
- Tune into weather updates for news on impacted areas and safety concerns.
- Avoid disaster areas and floodwaters.
- Wait for confirmation that it is safe to return to areas impacted by flooding.
- If your property has been impacted by flooding:
- Clean up pools of water
- Dry damp areas to prevent mold and mildew.
- Move damp items outdoors when safe to prevent mold growth.
- Move items away from damp areas.
Be sure to notify our claims team immediately if there is damage and protect the property while mitigating any future risk.
SOURCES:
,