Preparing your Business for Storm Season

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

While it is still “winter” in Texas, it is never too early to prepare for storm season. The rain and winds blow in before we know it, and homeowners possible water and storm damage if either strikes their property. But what about your business? Doesn't it need preparation too? Well, SERVPRO of Southwest Fort Worth is here to help with some tips and tricks to get storm (and possibly a tornado) ready this coming spring.

Include shelter-in-place information in your EAP: Knowing when and where to take shelter during a hurricane is a crucial part of emergency preparedness. It is something that ALL of your employees should be familiar with. A basement is the best possible place to be during high winds. However, if your building does not have a basement, you should make sure all employees go to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor with no windows.

Implement an emergency notification system: Despite most likely having sirens in your area, strong hurricane winds can often occur with little to no warning; because of this, many people find themselves ill-prepared for a storm with little time to take shelter. Using an emergency notification system like Disaster Alert (iPhone) or Natural Disaster Monitor (Android), employees can be made more aware of severe weather in their area. The app can alert them of the tornado so they can seek shelter immediately.

Have a work from the home policy: Within minutes, a tornado or hurricane can destroy everything in its path. This includes property, homes, and businesses, but it can also disrupt business operations for extended periods. To ensure not all operations come to a stand-still, it is in good practice to implement a work from the home policy if it makes sense for your business. This allows employees to continue working, even if they are unable to make it to the office.

Include training in your plans: If employees are not familiar with using emergency plans, they become essentially useless. Ensure that all employees have been adequately trained on how to respond to a tornado to avoid confusion and future injury while looking for shelter.

Being prepared for a storm will keep you and your employees safe and help ensure that your livelihood is still there after the storm. If your business experiences storm damage, SERVPRO of Southwest Fort Worth can get you up and running again with our trusted water removal, clean-up, and reconstruction services. Call us anytime at (817) 557-6895.