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Weather the Storm: Tornado Preparedness Tips for Business Continuity
Jun 10, 2024
Tornado season arrived in a fury. Over 265 confirmed tornadoes occurred between April 25 and May 10, making it the eighth most active 16-day tornado count, according to disasterphilanthorpy.org.
And the season isn’t over yet. Tornado season runs May through July. Tornadoes will continue to strike, so it is crucial to understand how your business may be impacted and to have a plan to mitigate potential damage.
Not all tornadoes are created equal. Staying informed about the predicted strength of approaching tornadoes is imperativel for taking proper precautions and seeking safe shelter.
Here’s why understanding storm severity is crucial for businesses:
- Tailored Coverage: Knowing the typical storm threats in their area (tornadoes, hail, floods) enables businesses to choose the right insurance coverage. Not all policies cover everything, and some require add-ons for specific perils. For instance, a business in a location where tornadoes tend to touch down might prioritize wind coverage, while a coastal business might focus on flood insurance.
- Accurate Premiums: Businesses that understand the severity of storms in their location can better assess their risk profile.Taylor Oswald advocates for fairer premiums by advising clients to mitigate risk through a variety of steps. For example, a stronger roof could lower premiums in the long run.
- Claim Payouts: By knowing the typical damage a storm can cause, an organization can better document the specific damage their property sustained during a storm. This ensures a smoother claims process and reduces the risk of disputes with the insurer.
- Business Interruption: Severe storms can disrupt operations even without major property damage. Lost inventory, power outages and employee displacement can all lead to financial losses. Businesses can plan for disruption of operations and potentially get coverage for these losses.
What can you do immediately?
Create a plan to protect your employees and your property.
- Enable Warning Emergency Alerts to provide important information on weather emergencies.
- Develop an emergency plan to maintain control if disaster strikes.
- Practice your emergency plan. Even if the Occupational Safety and Health Administration does not require drills, they demonstrate a company’s commitment to employee safety and best practices.
- Remember remote workers or those traveling for business. Include off-site locations, such as construction sites, in your plan. Provide tips on how employees in different locations can protect themselves, whether driving, working from home or working outdoors.
Overall, tornado drills are a critical part of a comprehensive workplace safety plan. They equip employees with the knowledge and confidence to act quickly and safely in a dangerous situation.
Our client’s personal safety is of our utmost concern. We provide our clients with resources to help protect your business and your family. While insurance coverage will help to mitigate financial risk, taking these planning and safety measures will minimize the effects of these disasters.