Helpful hints from HMG to protect you and your business.

For private individuals, business and commercial premises, it would be unthinkable not to have considered the threat from fire or criminal activity such as theft or arson, yet countless businesses fail to recognise the threat from storms or flood until it is too late. Policyholders may have never experienced a storm or flood, but its effects could be just as devastating to their business or home life as a major fire or theft.

Your first step towards managing your storm/flood risk is by risk assessment. Consider the likelihood of storm/flooding to your property by establishing a few simple facts:

• Has the local area ever flooded before?

• Is the area located in a known flood plain? (www.environment-agency.gov.uk/www.flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk/ )

• Is the premises/business close to rivers, streams, over ground or underground drainage channels, ponds, reservoirs, lakes or canals?

• Does the local topography affect flood water and flow or are you exposed to strong winds?

• Does your property incorporate any cellars or basements or low lying areas that may quickly become inundated?

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, action should be taken to better protect yourself and your business from the perils of flooding and storms. This may not involve spending any money, but simply require your time and management skills.

Here are some steps to help:

Heavy Winds

• In advance of heavy winds, hire a professional to check for problems such as loose roof tiles. After the storm, these should be checked again for any damage

• Listen to local radio or search the internet for the latest information and updates in your area

• Put away garden furniture and any other items kept outside that might get blown around and cause damage

• Secure gates and shed doors

• Be ready to turn off essential supplies - gas, electricity and water, at the mains

• Prepare an emergency pack to include torch, first aid kit, warm clothes, blankets and water and make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.

In addition to the above, here are some additional considerations for commercial customers:

• Your health & safety arrangements should consider the safety of employees, customers and visitors who are on your premises at a time when a severe storm is due. Consider what needs to happen to ensure they can get home safely before the weather gets too dangerous.

• If you have time (before the storm arrives) to safely do so, make back-up copies of your computer systems data and arrange for copies to be stored in a safe place.

Flood Warnings

Subscribe to flood warnings for your area such as the Environment Agency Flood Alert Scheme. https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/long-term-flood-risk/

Survey

Conduct a survey of your buildings and site in order to establish vulnerable equipment or stock and how these can be raised off the floor. You may need to move business-critical equipment such as computer servers or high value stock to an upper floor or construct a permanent mezzanine platform for their safety. Anything that may be damaged by flood water or the pollution that accompanies flood water must be identified and raised above floor level. Raising the storage of stock just a few inches may buy you enough time to move the stock when you are under threat. You should not forget any external storage of stock, equipment or vehicles that are left unattended.

Hazardous Materials

Consider how any hazardous materials may behave during a flood. You should check that any fuel storage tanks are anchored to the ground and that gas cylinders will not float away. Importantly you must consider how best to control any open vessels or containers that hold materials that can cause a safety risk or environmental hazard.

Disaster Recovery Plan

Formulate a disaster recovery plan (DRP). The DRP should include information such as your insurance broker’s emergency helpline number, details of your insurance policies, and other useful phone numbers such as customers, suppliers, tradesmen and anyone else you may need to contact or advise that your business is in crisis in the event of flood. It is recommended that a copy of your DRP is kept off site to ensure it can be accessed if the master copy cannot be retrieved from the affected premises.

Flood Emergency Response Plan

Formulate a “Flood Emergency Response Plan”. Keep it simple by listing the key actions that will need to be undertaken, who will undertake them and how. Make sure that you have contact numbers or addresses of the key staff you will need to take on emergency roles and make sure that they understand what is expected of them and are capable of contributing to the plan. Key response plan activity may include:

• Shutting off mains gas, water and electricity supplies, ensuring that backup power to alarm systems is operating as intended.

• Closing any valves to oil storage tanks.

• Moving stock, furniture, documents, computers and portable electrical equipment to an upper storey.

• Moving material-handling equipment, chargers, vehicles and trailers to higher ground.

• Deploying any temporary flood protection measures such as sandbags to protect openings or help direct the flow of flood water away from buildings or stock.
  

Whether you are located in the UK or Ireland, further guidance on flood response planning is available at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/flooding/32362.aspx

Flood Hazards

Every year floods claim people’s lives so make sure that you and your team are aware of the hazards that you may face. Just six inches of fast flowing water can sweep you off your feet and less than a couple of feet are enough to float your car into deeper water. If you do have to walk through flood water, remember that manhole or drain covers may have been raised, dislodged or washed away which can create a drowning danger. Flood water can often be contaminated with sewage or hazardous materials, so avoid any contact whenever possible by wearing appropriate footwear and clothing. Remember that no business is more important than a human life!

At HMG, we believe that helping our ckients to prevent or reduce the damage and dangers caused by flooding, is a good investment.

Weather alerts

To be kept informed of potential severe weather you can sign up to weather alerts, available from

•        Met Office

•        Flood Warnings from the Environment Agency / Natural Resources Wales/ Scottish Environment Protection Agency