Ways for Business Owners to Prepare for Floods | SERVPRO® of East Honolulu

10/26/2019 (Permalink)

If you've experienced a flood, we are always here to help. Call us 24/7 to get our team of professionals to your business quickly so you can get back

There are many things that business owners must plan for regarding their livelihood, but all too often, floods are left off that list. For those outside of a known floodplain, planning for one can seem like a waste of time—but with 90% of natural disasters involving floods, it is not unheard of for areas not historically prone to flooding to be affected.

Because business owners also have a degree of liability, planning for a flood is a great way to keep your employees safe and ensure your business is well-poised to reopen after the waters retreat. Practicing preparedness provides valuable peace of mind and can have a big impact on the future of your business.

<h3to-do-to-prepare">What to Do to Prepare

There are many ways to practice flood preparedness, but some of the most important are:

• Locating your business on the FEMA Flood Map to determine your risk levels
• Keeping copies of important documents stored away from the business in a secure, waterproof place
• Training employees on your emergency plan in order to educate them on what to do
• Creating evacuation routes that are well thought out and making sure everyone is aware of them
• Inquiring about your insurance coverage and whether adding flood insurance might be a wise choice
• Storing emergency rations and first-aid supplies in case a situation arises where you are stuck
• Elevating valuables so they are not ruined by low-height floods

<h3the-right-documents">Preserving the Right Documents

By having copies of important documents on hand, business owners can ensure they are set up to reopen even if the originals were destroyed. Some of the best ones to preserve are:

• The continuity plan for the business
• Details on how to contact parties essential to the business, such as staff and vendors
• Details on how to file an insurance claim and contact your agent
• Instructions for accessing backed-up digital files
• Banking history, deed or lease information and any financial documents that might be helpful
  
  If your business has experienced a flood, we are always here to help. Call us ²⁴⁄₇ to get our team of professionals to your business quickly so you can get back on track.