Flooding advice for businesses

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Flooding can be a disaster for a business. As well as damage to premises or equipment you may also loose stock and supplies and will be unable to trade whilst the damage is being repaired. Your employees may be unable to get to work if flooding affects the transport links, and this may affect your business.

There are measures you can take to reduce the risk and impact of flooding, and make your business more resilient. It is a good idea to put these in place so that in the event of a flood or any other kind of emergency it enables you to offer business as usual in the shortest possible time. The plan does not have to be detailed and should not take up too much of your time.

Actions you can take are:-

• Make a list of all the organisations and individuals you deal with including their contact details. Keep a list at work and another in a safe place.
• If you use a database or other computer applications, back them up regularly and keep a copy in another safe place, away from the business premise.
• Consider whether you could operate from another location
• Make a list of all your machinery and contents so that replacements can be ordered quickly.
• Remember to take notes and record any expenditure, with receipts if possible, and actions taken to help with insurance claims.
• Check that you have business interruption insurance cover.

If your business has been flooded.

• Some of the information in the residents section may be useful for your business.
• Safety is the main priority so do not enter your property until you are sure it is safe to do so. A building may look safe, but it could have suffered structural damage and could collapse.
• Power supplies should be checked by qualified electricians and gas plumbers before switching them on following flooding.
• You will need to check with your insurance company before you start to repair any damage or replace goods. They may even be willing to make an interim payment in order to get your business going again as quickly as possible.

Business Continuity

If you are a manager/director or owner of a company and interested in knowing more, general Business Continuity advice is available on the Emergency Planning pages of this website

Last updated: 2 May 2012