If your business is located in a floodplain, it’s important to take steps to protect it from damage. Flooding can cause extensive damage to your property and equipment, and can also lead to lost revenue if your business is forced to close for an extended period of time. We understand how you feel when you face this catastrophe. The natural power of floods is destructive. The effect of floodwater in commercial premises leads to loss of equipment, stocks and long-term damages. However, nothing can be done to stop the flooding, but there are several ways to mitigate the dreadful effect of the floodwater. The best way is to hire a water damage restoration service in your locality.
Flooding caused major damages in the history of Australia. Moreover, if the situation was bad before, the situation will be difficult in the coming decades. Read this post to learn how to protect your business from flooding.
Research the Area
Exposure to the long-term risk of flooding is one of the important factors for your local business. You need to know whether your business premise is at a low, medium or high level from surface water. Before you understand the threat to your business, you should know the different causes of flood damage. It usually comes from the following sources:
- Groundwater
- Rivers
- Surface Water
It helps you understand why you should measure the risk of flooding before buying or renting a commercial premise. If you rent a premise on higher ground in Australia, there is still a risk of flooding due to extreme rainfall or sewage backflow.
Create Flood Plans
Creating a flood plan can save money in times of emergency. Please list all the details on a paper or upload it to the cloud to have better access during flood restoration. The information should be short and simple. It includes:
- Evacuation routes
- Location of important documents
- Details of utility supply and electrical equipment
- A contact sheet of all the employers and employees.
- Other flood warning details
Create a Business Continuity Plan
Your flood plan should also cover the steps you will take to continue your business after the catastrophe. It ensures your business will continue to operate safely.
It is crucial if your business is in a high flood risk-prone area. You should hire flood restoration professionals to restore your area quickly.
Insurance of Flooding
Indeed, insurance plays a vital role in business continuity. The payout to business insurance depends on the insurance provider. The cost of repair and replacement is higher than the residential property owner. There are several insurance covers that help your company overcome the catastrophe. Some of them are:
Employers Liability
It is a mandatory cover for any business with employees. It covers the business owners’ liability to pay the medical fees of injured staff members.
Business Equipment
It protects against the loss of equipment. It covers everything from phones, laptops to technical tools.
Business Interruption
It covers the business projected profit for a period when your premises are flood-damaged.
What Should You Do After a Flood?
You do not have to do much after the flood when you have taken all the precautions. When the water rises, even a business with well-prepared flood restoration plans can be affected by the polluted water. So it’s important to take the necessary steps after one happens to protect your property and ensure your safety. Here are a few things you should do after a flood.
1. Prioritize Employees’ Safety
Evacuate all the staff according to the flood plan and inform their family members about the incident.
2. Secure Equipment, Documents
You have to be fast and responsive because you are running against time. Secure or remove equipment and documents quickly. However, it would be best if you did not take the life risk to protect the equipment. The insurance payout will cover the costs.
3. Take Photos and Videos
You need to save evidence of damage by capturing photos and videos. You can easily claim insurance with this evidence.
4. Contact Your Insurance Provider
Even if you do not know the extent of damage, you should contact the insurance service provider as soon as your business is affected by floodwater. You may get an immediate business interruption payout.
5. Implement Business Continuity Plan
Now read the saved documents and continue business operations even after the flood damage. You can work remotely or use the office space if accessible.
6. Hire Professional Restoration Services
Please call our professional flood restoration Perth service for quick restoration. Our professionals will analyze the situation and remove the water as early as possible. You will get all the flood-related solutions under one roof. From water extraction to mitigation, our professionals are IICRC certified and well trained to do this job for you. We will take the entire headache while you run your business safely.
