Flooding has become more frequent and more severe. All types of structures are affected, from homes to hospitals. While there is no way to prevent flooding, there are ways to mitigate damage. Together with all the other responsibilities of leadership in commerce, now it is critical to know how to protect your business from floods.
Identify Responsibilities
Some protective measures are the responsibility of building owners, and others relate to the business that occupies the building. If they are one and the same, sorting out who should do what is easier. Flooding causes all kinds of physical damage to structures and everything inside them within the water’s reach.
Determine Risk
Property owners with loans from institutions insured or regulated by the federal government are required to maintain flood insurance if the building is located in a high-risk zone. Lenders may require it regardless of the risk. The National Flood Insurance Program provides insurance in communities that participate in floodplain management efforts. Find out the base flood elevation (BFE), or the level that has a 1 percent chance of flooding each year for the property, and make sure the building stands several feet above it.
Prepare the Building
Practical steps can help reduce flood damage from heavy rain by preventing water from entering the building or at least making it more difficult for water to come in. Seal cracks and check the grade of the property to ensure it slopes away from the building. Install trench drains and catch basins where they can be effective to capture water and send it into municipal stormwater systems as permitted by local laws and regulations. Plant water-loving native plants to filter water and prevent erosion.
Make sure electrical equipment, including circuit boards and switches, are located above flood level. Do the same for HVAC systems. Be ready with backup power sources to keep important systems running if possible during flood cleanup. Select waterproofing coatings for basement walls. Keep gutters and downspouts cleared of debris. Consult a professional plumbing service to ensure the building has appropriate backflow valves and sump pumps where they can be effective, with a backup at the ready,
Have a Disaster Plan
Plan for redundancy for critical documents, plans, and equipment to keep things going and preserve your business data in the event of a flood or other disaster. Designate personnel responsible for maintaining and updating the plan. Train employees and run refresher classes and drills regularly.
Store Critical Documents and Equipment Aboveground
The sub-basement is not the place to store wedding gowns, as many disappointed brides discovered when the Chicago River flowed into the lower levels of downtown department stores back in 1992. One of the primary ways to protect your business from floods is to reduce the vulnerability of your most critical assets by keeping them aboveground.
