- Storms can cause extensive damage to commercial establishments, leading to significant economic losses.
- The first step to recovering after a storm is to assess the damage, prioritize safety, and document everything for insurance claims.
- Professional storm recovery services can help mitigate damage and safely remove hazardous materials.
- Preventive measures such as installing storm shutters and reinforcing walls and roofs can protect properties from future storms. Employee safety is also paramount.
Severe weather conditions like storms can wreak havoc on homes, businesses, and establishments, causing extensive damage to buildings, furniture, and equipment. Storms come in various forms, including strong winds, heavy rain, hail, snowfall, and tornadoes, each with unique characteristics that make them destructive.
Studies show that storms can cause significant economic losses in affected areas, ranging from hundreds to millions of dollars. For instance, Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Gulf Coast in August 2017, caused damages estimated at $125 billion, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in history. Similarly, a tornado in Joplin, Missouri, in 2011 caused losses of $2.8 billion, affecting about one-third of Joplin’s businesses.
Business owners should take storm preparedness seriously, as storms can strike at any time and cause extensive damage to commercial properties. Here are a few tips to help you when your commercial establishment gets ravaged by a storm:
Assess the Damage
When a storm ravages your commercial establishment, the first step toward recovery is to assess the damage caused. This is a critical step in your storm preparedness plan, as it will help determine the extent of the damage and what steps need to be taken to get things back to normal quickly. Here’s the importance of assessing the damage following a storm on your commercial establishment:
Safety First
Even before assessing the damage, it’s essential to ensure everyone’s safety. You can’t put a price on human life, so ensure all building occupants are safe and no one is hurt. Before proceeding with the assessment, identify and address any immediate threats, such as live wires, gas leaks, or structural damage.
Document Everything
Once everyone’s safety is assured, document the damage immediately. Take photos or videos of the destruction, including any damage to the structure, equipment, inventory, and other essential items. Make sure to capture all angles, as this will help you file an insurance claim if necessary.
Steer Clear of Hazards
Hazardous materials may have been released or exposed during the storm. Avoid dangers like broken glass, falling debris, and chemical spills. If necessary, contact a professional cleanup team for guidance on safely removing these hazards without putting yourself or any other building occupants at risk.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Once you’ve documented the damage and secured your commercial establishment, it’s time to contact your insurance provider. Your policy should cover some of the losses incurred by the storm; however, there may be certain limits depending on what kind of coverage you purchase. Ensure you follow all instructions correctly when filing an insurance claim to receive adequate compensation for your loss.
Hire Professional Services
Recovering from a storm can be a daunting task. The damage caused by storms can be extensive and far-reaching, particularly for commercial establishments, where the extent of the damage can be catastrophic. Storm recovery can also be time-consuming and expensive, depending on the severity of the injury. This is where professional storm recovery services come in handy.
Professional storm recovery service providers can provide the necessary expertise and equipment to handle the damage caused by storms. These services can help mitigate further damage, salvage items that can be saved, and safely remove hazardous materials. These professionals are trained to work efficiently, effectively, and safely, ensuring your commercial establishment is back up and running as quickly as possible.
Securing services for commercial water damage repair are also widely available to help restore your establishment after a storm. With the right equipment and expertise, these professionals can quickly remove standing water and dry out any affected areas to prevent further structural damage.
Take Preventive Measures
While storm recovery is essential, taking preventive measures to protect your commercial establishment from future storms is equally important. Consider installing storm shutters, sealing windows and doors, and reinforcing walls and roofs to protect your property in a storm. Additionally, if your area is prone to flooding or other disasters, consider investing in flood insurance to help cover losses due to water damage.
Employee safety, however, is paramount. Ensure to provide your employees with the right safety equipment, such as hard hats, proper clothing, and other protective gear to help protect them in a storm.
Finally, regularly maintain all systems and equipment to ensure they function correctly and withstand inclement weather conditions.
Final Thoughts
With these steps in mind, you’ll be better prepared to recover from a storm quickly and effectively. Taking preventive measures now can save you time and money down the line when it comes to recovering from severe weather events. So don’t wait until after the damage is done – start preparing for storms now!
