How to Protect Your Business From Storms

If you own a business, it's important to prepare for any potential storm that may come your way. Make sure that your employees and customers are safe during the event! Here are some tips on how to protect your business from storms:

Seal All Doors and Windows

If there is a storm coming, you want to make sure your doors and windows are sealed as tightly as possible. This will help keep the wind out of your building. You may also want to tape plastic over any windows or openings if you don't have time to seal them all up.

You can seal them using a spray foam in the cracks, or using a caulking gun to fill the gaps. Make sure you have enough to last!

Remove Loose Items

It's important to remove any loose items from your commercial property, including branches and debris that could be blown into the building. If possible, move any vehicles outside of the building and away from windows.

The idea is to remove items that could become projectiles, and remove items that could be damaged by water and wind. Remove any signs or other objects that might be damaged by falling trees or flying debris during a storm. This includes signs mounted on poles or streetlights, light fixtures, and other exterior lighting fixtures (such as those used to illuminate storefront windows).

Board Up Your Business

Board up your windows and doors. If you have glass doors and windows, cover them with plywood or another material. Remove the glass from your doors and windows before a storm hits. Tape sheets of plywood over the glass so they overlap at least four inches at all corners, if you can't remove the glass. Secure the sheets in place with screws or nails.

Plywood is a common material used to board up commercial buildings, but it’s not the only option. You can use plastic sheeting or boards to board up your windows and doors as well. Use a hammer and nail to fasten each piece of material in place.

If you have an air conditioning unit that requires maintenance on a regular basis, consider installing a storm door or some other method of preventing the entry of water onto the unit itself.

Check Your Business Insurance

Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Insurance is a good idea for any business, especially if it's in an area prone to storms or other natural disasters. It can help protect your assets and keep them out of the hands of others. You should check your policy each year to make sure that all necessary coverage is included. Also, consider adding additional forms of protection as needed. Some providers offer umbrella policies for businesses with multiple locations across multiple states as well as overseas locations where they may need emergency expense reimbursement from their local government agencies after being hit by natural disasters.

Perform a Windstorm Inspection

Before the storm arrives, make sure you have inspected your facility for loose items. These might include trash bins, awnings and signage. If these are not secured properly and stay unsecured during the storm, they could pose a safety hazard. Your employees or customers who use them as shelter from wind or rain could be in danger.

Also consider checking your buildings' structural integrity by looking at their foundation anchors before the storm hits. This ensures that they are secure enough to withstand winds of up to 100 miles per hour.

Make an Emergency Plan

The best way to protect your business from storms is by having an emergency plan in place. A good plan will include things like the following:

• Identifying where you should go if the power goes out, or if there's flooding in the building.
• Making sure that all employees have evacuation plans and know how to get there safely.
• Having an emergency kit ready for when disaster strikes, including flashlights and batteries, first aid supplies (including gloves), food and water supplies (in case they can't reach their homes), extra clothes and blankets, important documents such as insurance policies etc., cash on hand for people who need help immediately after the storm passes through the area

It’s better to be safe than sorry when trying to protect your business from storms. When your business gets hit by a storm, Rocky Top Restoration is here to help you pick up the pieces. Give us a call for help after the storm.