The following items are tips to prepare your business for El Niño weather-related events:
Check your property or areas of operation for risk from heavy rain or flooding, including roofs, doors, windows, drains and drainage areas, gutters, low-lying or below-grade areas, or any other possible points of water leakage.
Place valuable equipment, vehicles, interior decor or art installations, products or inventory, and important records away from areas at risk of water damage. Store business-critical documents in waterproof containers and/or maintain secure off-site or cloud backups.
Review and understand your insurance coverage and your lease for tenant and property owner responsibilities. If you suspect or know of roof leaks, water intrusion or other building concerns, contact your property owner or manager before the rainy season. Connect with your insurance broker about any documentation that may be beneficial in the case of a claim. Take photos and/or videos of your place of business in case you need to provide proof of condition before damage.
Create an emergency kit and a plan for how your business will respond to severe weather, including executive and employee communications, customer communications, procedures for closures and protecting essential operations. Provide resources for employees and encourage them to have emergency plans for their households as well. Keeping their family safe is likely to be their priority.
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Know where to get plastic sheeting or tarps, sandbags and other rain- or flood-protection supplies before a storm arrives.
If your business is an industrial site or one that requires sampling of stormwater runoff during a rain event, determine how to collect valid samples in a safe, secure manner.
