How Small Business Owners Can Be Flood-Ready | SERVPRO® of The Lower Shore

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

Sandy. Ivan. Irene. Do those names ring an unwelcome bell? (No offense to any actual Sandys, Ivans, or Irenes out there.) There are other names as well, but these have notorious significance in Maryland.

These are three of the top 10 most significant flood events of the last 40 years, and they all produced widespread damage in our part of the nation. Put together those three storms produced almost $12 billion in flood damage claims for home and business owners like you.

Flooding is nearly inevitable from time to time, especially in exposed, coastal areas like The Lower Shore. And when a freak event like Superstorm Sandy comes along, it seems there’s little you can do to protect your business.

But you can always prepare, and being ready can help you mitigate or even prevent some level of damage when the next storm comes.

Know Your Risk

Knowing where your business sits in the area’s Flood Map can give you a general idea of your risk for flooding. This information changes over time, so FEMA is working constantly to keep it up to date.

Keep up with local weather alerts (and the FEMA app can give you real-time alerts as well), especially during hurricane season, which lasts from June through November. Taking these risks seriously should hopefully motivate you to take action steps toward loss and property prevention.

Formulate a Plan

A major expected flood situation will almost certainly disrupt your business’s physical location, but a continuity plan can help minimize downtime and maximize protection.

This can include creating a flood response team with assignments given to turn off power, protect important assets and communicate with teams about flood protocols.

You may also do well to back up important files and have a plan for off-site operations (if that’s feasible for your business). Be aware of evacuation procedures for your building and for the city should these become necessary.

And don’t forget to train your teams and employees regarding flood safety, emergency kits, and the like. Don’t let yourself be the only source of knowledge when it comes to flood preparedness.

Flood-Proof What You Can

Before flooding occurs, you may be able to take steps like installing a battery-backed sump pump to pull water away from your building, installing valves in drainage systems to prevent toxic wastewater backup and raising the level of electrical outlets to heights that are typically above floodwater levels.

In a threat situation, flood boards can be useful for protecting entryways and windows, and sandbags and moisture kits are always helpful in soaking up some moisture.

If flooding should become a problem for your business, SERVPRO is here to help restore damaged property and recover important items and documents. Click or call today to find out how we can help in an emergency.