Preparing Your Business for El Niño
Preparing Your Business for El Niño
Plan ahead to protect your business from heavy rain and potential flooding
1. Know Your Risk
Identify areas of your property or operations most vulnerable to heavy rain or flooding. Check drainage areas, roofs, doors, windows, low-lying areas and other potential points of water intrusion. Take photos and/or videos of your place of business in case you need to provide proof of condition before damage.
2. Protect Your Property & Records
Move valuable equipment, inventory and important records away from areas at risk of water damage. Store critical documents in waterproof containers and/or maintain secure off-site or cloud backups.
3. Review Your Insurance & Lease
Understand your insurance coverage and review your lease for tenant and property owner responsibilities. If you’re aware of roof leaks, water intrusion or other building concerns, contact your property owner or manager before the rainy season. Connect with your insurance broker about any documentation that may be beneficial in the case of a claim.
4. Make an Emergency Plan
Prepare an emergency kit and a plan for how your business will respond to severe weather, including employee communications, closures and protecting essential operations. Provide resources for employees and encourage them to have emergency plans for their households as well. Keeping their family safe is likely to be their priority.
5. Prepare Before the Rain
Know where to get sandbags and other flood-protection supplies before a storm arrives. Don’t wait until heavy rain is in the forecast to gather what you may need.