Prepare your Commercial property for a Hurricane!

3/1/2017 (Permalink)

Just 3 months ago, SERVPROs from all over the country headed to Virginia Beach and North Carolina to help residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Matthew. Commercial losses are just as important as residential ones and SERVPRO strives to get you back into business in a timely manner. We know how many factors go into getting your business back on track after a disaster so here are some things to take into consideration

Planning

- Review the property insurance with an insurance agent to determine concerns of a hurricane

- Write up some protective procedures for not only the structure of the business but also the contents

- Inform key employees of what their responsibilities are in regards to hurricane procedures and even try to set up an employee training program

- Consider having these protective tools on hand: heavy plastic sheeting, duct tape, masking tape, sandbags, an emergency generator, storm shutters, chain saw, large pieces of plywood and hand tools

- Make a plan for the protection of your computer files

Preparedness

- Monitor a local radio or television station that gives official emergency information and instructions

- Document the interior and the exterior of your business with pictures! This helps significantly with insurance claims

- Package insurance policies and financial records into waterproof containers so you have quick and accurate information to provide

Building Exterior

- Clean all the drains, gutters and downspouts of the property

- Remove antenna or loose objects from the room

- Bring in things that are usually left outside, remove outdoor signs and secure loose objects that can cause possible damage if there are strong winds

- If the property has glass frontage, clear the area as much as possible and board it up with shutters or wood. If you do not have shutters or boards, try masking or duct tape and tape the window in an “X” fashion to reduce shattering.

Building Interior

- Move things away from the windows to avoid water damage

- Clear flat surfaces of small loose objects and take down all loosely secured pictures, plaques

- Relocate files, boxes, computers, office machines and other equipment to the driest place in the building. Try not to leave boxes on the floor and remove contents within lower file cabinet drawers to a secure location

- Try to keep an inventory of where all things were relocated so when it is time to unpack you’re saving time!

- Disconnect electronics and equipment and try to secure with tarpaulins and tape.

Last but not least, do not hesitate to contact your local SERVPRO. We are faster to any sized disaster and there is no loss we cannot handle!