What to Do if Your Business Floods

2/19/2019 (Permalink)

Whether flooding occurs without warning, as in a flash flood, or from a slow business during, or after, a heavy storm, it is a common occurrence in many parts of the country. West Nashville is no different, and as I’m sure you are all aware, Nashville has a history of flooding! Today we are highlighting some important steps to consider as a business owner if your location should experience flooding.

BE VIGILANT. Even if you think the risk of flooding will be low, it’s important to be vigilant. Understand your location’s potential exposure; you can reference the NOAA Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service’s quarterly updates and maps to see what areas are at higher flooding risk during certain times of the year. Historic flooding maps are also a helpful resource. Just knowing the potential rates of rising waters and how long it would take to drain off will be important pieces of information for you as a business owner.

INFORMATION. Be sure you keep copies of insurance documents and other key business information in a flood-safe location. Using the cloud for storage of business-related information will be essential when it comes to the potential loss of documentation.

BUILDING PREPARATION. Prepare your location for a flooding event. Investing in a sump pump could help to minimize damages, as well as maintaining gutters, drains, and roofing. Anchoring any fuel tanks is also a good step to take.

EMERGENCY PLAN. Create a flood evacuation route and share it will your workforce so that they know how to get themselves and any customers to higher and safer ground if it becomes necessary. Invest in an emergency kit and keep it well-stocked, in case people get stranded in the building.

Flooding is dangerous, and kills nearly 100 people yearly, in addition to causing an average of eight billion dollars in property damage in the U.S. yearly. Being prepared can keep your business and your workforce safe in the event of a flood.

When it comes to a flooding event, SERVPRO of Belle Meade/ West Nashville is here to help. We specialize in cleanup projects of all sizes, so call us for assistance if your business experiences any kind of disaster.