Flash floods can cause extensive water damage to a building, and they can do this very quickly. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for a business to have little if any time to prepare. Also, even if you are given some warning, you might not be sure what you can do. But, even though you may not be able to prevent damage entirely, there are some things you can do to help your business prepare for a flood. We will discuss some of these steps next.
Create a Plan
One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a natural disaster is to have a plan in place. By having a plan ready, you avoid suddenly having to decide what you should do in a very stressful situation. Any decision you make in this type of situation is not going to be very well thought out.
It is actually not that difficult to make a disaster plan, and it could end up saving your building. Make sure that when you are forming your plan, you include all of your workers. You should also ensure that all of your employees are aware of the plan and what their part in the plan is. Your plan should detail what everyone’s role in the plan is as well as for instructions for what each role includes. You should also rehearse the plan periodically and keep the plan up to date. Doing this will prepare all of your employees for following the plan should a flood occur.
Protect Your Building
If you are warned of a potential flood, it is important to prepare your building as much as possible. Look around the outside and inside of your building and get them ready to be exposed to water. This step should have been included in your plan. If you did not put this step in your plan, you should add it.
Check all doors and windows since this is the most likely area that water will enter your building, and repair any areas that may allow water to enter. But, you should also check your foundation for any weak areas or cracks that need to be addressed. Block off all of these areas; it will help protect the inside of your building.
However, you still need to do what you can to protect any items inside your building. It is especially important to protect any electronics, paperwork, or any other items important to the business that could be destroyed by the water. You should put these items in an area where they will be safe from the water. Then, you will want to put any other items in waterproof storage containers in case water does get into the building.
Call Your Insurance Company
It is difficult to entirely prevent water damage in the event of a flash flood, even if you have a plan. Therefore, it is best to know what your insurance policy covers so you will be prepared for any damages that you will need to pay out of pocket. You will also want to understand what your insurance company expects from you in order to be able to file a claim and get it approved.
Final Thoughts
You can’t prevent flash floods, but there is a lot you can do to help prevent damage. Proper preparation can mean less damage, thus allowing you to get your business up and running again much more quickly.
Contact Us
For more information on water damage and restoration or for service, call us at 1-800-847-0114 or connect with us on Facebook. RestorePro is an IICRC certified firm that has been serving New England homeowners in need of restoration services since 1997.
