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When it’s Important to Stay in the Know.
Preparation & Prevention: Is Your Business Ready for the Next Major Weather Event?
With the arrival of the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season and major weather events occurring all over the country, it’s important you prepare your business for any potential weather or environmental threat.
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting as many as 10 hurricanes this season with winds reaching 111 mph in certain cases. Experts are also estimating an additional 14 to 21 named storms from climate patterns brought on by La Niña. Warm winds have amplified droughts (which we’re already feeling in Texas) and wildfires in the west, and cold water from the deep sea is soon to follow. As environmental disasters become longer, more frequent and more intensified, it’s important to stay informed, take necessary precautions and react promptly to government-issued guidance.
Hurricane Planning and Preparation
There are several steps businesses should take before, during and after a storm. We encourage managers, employers and business owners to do the following:
- Create a plan of action for hurricanes and tropical storms.
- Prepare a hurricane kit with bottled water, flashlights, batteries and first aid supplies.
- Make sure to assess your coverage and document your property assets including small spaces with valuables.
- Reach out to a contractor in advance because widespread damage could put your business at the end of their to-do list.
During the storm:
- Check for updates frequently and stick to your hurricane plan. It’s a good idea to check in on your clients and employees to make sure they’re informed and safe.
Once the storm passes:
- Initiate a walk-through of your property and begin making temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
- Report damages so you’re ahead on inspections and repair work.
Understanding Named Storm Deductibles
If you aren’t familiar with named storm deductibles, now is a good time to learn how they can affect your business. Hurricanes and intense storms pose a financial risk to insurance companies due to their costly nature and potential for widespread impact. To shield themselves from incurring large upfront expenses, providers identify locations that are prone to weather-related incidents based on factors such as their proximity to bodies of water and overall population. Properties within those designated areas are subject to deductibles that are higher than your standard amount in the event of damage or loss. Named storm deductibles are triggered by tropical depressions, tropical storms or hurricanes the National Weather Service deems dangerous enough to name. Whether or not your location places you in a higher risk category, it pays to understand what your coverage and costs entail.
Withstanding Wildfires
During this period of dry heat and drought, wildfires are spreading more rapidly and becoming difficult to put out. Exposures from direct flames, airborne embers and radiant heat can cause devastating property damage, but there are proactive steps you can take to mitigate damages to your business during such disasters.
- Create a wildfire risk management plan that pinpoints the vulnerabilities of the property.
- Lessen fuel loads.
- Use non-combustible or fire-resistant building materials.
- Implement strategic landscaping by spacing out trees and vegetation surrounding the property.
Once a wildfire occurs, it’s difficult to stop but there are ways to slow the spread:
- Establish buffer zones with at least a 60-foot radius surrounding the building and remove any dead vegetation or flammable objects in each designated zone.
- Prune trees on a regular basis.
- Install a fire-resistant covering and clear the gutters on a regular basis. Clean and replace vent screens during the drier months to protect the interior from airborne embers.
Wildfire preparedness is especially important for business owners with properties susceptible to spreading or incurring damages. Being proactive about reducing the risks associated with wildfires not only protects your business, but also the community surrounding it. View our Wildfire Preparedness Checklist with precautionary steps you can take to make your environment safer.
