Is Your Small Business Prepared To Weather The Storm?

From high winds to heavy rainfall, snow, and below-freezing temperatures, storms can take a toll on your business. Your business, just like your home, needs to be protected from flooding, wind damage, snow, ice, and more. Storm damage preparation should be a priority for every business.

Small Business Insurance

One of the most important ways you can protect your business from storm damage is to make sure you have an insurance plan that will cover the damage. Your business can take on structural damage from violent storms, along with the risk of trees and debris being blown into your building.

There are a variety of insurance types available, and if you aren’t sure what your current policy covers, call your insurance broker to get the details.

Always make sure you have a copy of your insurance policy available at an off-site location. If your business is flooded or damaged, you don’t want to risk having your only copy of your policy destroyed or unable to be accessed.

Learn More: Will My Insurance Company Pay For Repairs?

Install Safety Measures

Impact-resistant windows provide an extra barrier to help keep your windows from shattering in a storm. While it is still possible to break this type of glass, it protects better than typical window glass.

Secure all heavy furniture like bookcases and shelves using anchors, so they are less likely to fall over and cause damage during a storm.

All dumpsters and fences outside your property should be secured as much as possible to avoid blowing away or being damaged during high winds, hailstorms, and other weather events.

Inspect your roof regularly, especially as seasons change. Replace any worn materials and damaged shingles immediately and keep your gutters clean.

Provide Safe Parking Options

If at all possible, keep your professional vehicles stores inside a garage or outbuilding when inclement weather threatens.

If your employees have personal vehicles on your business’ property, encourage them to park away from trees, power lines, and lampposts while at work during inclement weather as part of your business’ storm damage preparation plan.

Reconsider Landscaping Options

The average person doesn’t really consider the damage gravel, rocks, and other loose stones can do in a windstorm. If you’re considering new landscaping for your business, think about using a soft material like mulch rather than pea gravel or small rocks.

Keep All Trees Trimmed

Some of the worst damage from storms is caused by branches and debris from trees. While some of that damage is unavoidable due to powerful winds and tornadoes, dead branches are more likely to fall during heavy storms.

Make sure the trees on your property are regularly trimmed to remove dead limbs that could fall on your roof, injure your employees, or compromise power lines.

Help Your Employees Stay Safe

Your employees are the most important part of your business and their safety should be your priority when a storm hits. Make sure your company has a storm damage preparation plan in place and all employees know how to protect themselves and their co-workers.

If your business doesn’t have a basement or storm shelter, make sure all employees know where to shelter safely during a tornado, strong windstorm, power outage, and more.

If a potentially severe storm system has been announced in advance, consider having your employees stay home until the storm has passed.

Lake City Restoration Is Here To Help

If your business has been damaged by a storm despite your best efforts, our restoration team is here to help 24/7.

Even if you don’t think a storm has damaged your business, it’s a good idea to at least have your roof inspected after a violent storm. Storms weaken your roof over time and addressing small issues as they occur can often prevent major damage when the next storm hits.

Have questions about how to restore your business or home after it has been damaged?