Protect Your Business From a Tornado

 

Is Your Business Prepared for a Tornado?

Businesses have a hard enough time surviving the economic storms these days without the added complication of hurricanes and tornadoes in many areas of the United States. It’s crucial that you have the right type of tornado disaster plan in place to make sure that when the tornado subsides, you’ve still got a business to go back to.

A good business tornado emergency plan can help to save lives of workers and customers as well as the business itself. People spend decades or even generations building up a successful business… Don’t let it get washed away with one tornado!

Consider purchasing the following to help keep your business safe from a tornado:

 

Prepare Your Business for a Tornado Emergency

Disaster and tornado emergency planning should be a part of your business plan from the very beginning. In fact, all businesses regardless of where they are located need to have a business continuity plan which will account for both natural disasters and man-made hazards.

Tornado information is a very important part of your business preparedness plan. You need to be informed about what particular hazards could affect your business before you can even think about planning to deal with them. Is your place of business in Tornado Alley? How often do tornadoes strike your area?

Tornadoes can cause problems to your business, property, and your business’s most valuable asset: your staff. Remember that when you’re taking into account the value of your business assets.

Should you evacuate in case of a tornado? That depends on a number of factors how far away the tornado is, if you and your staff can evacuate safely, if it’s safer to shelter in place, etc. You are responsible for the safety of your staff whilst they are at work and if a tornado emergency hits whilst your business is open, you need to have plans in place about whether your business should be evacuated (and to where) or whether it is safe for everyone to sit tight.

It’s not a bad idea to have a disaster kit in case of a tornado (or any other disaster, really). Emergency supplies may be required — fresh drinking water, food, medical supplies, warmth, first aid kit — in the event of staff being held up at your business for any length of time.

Remember that fire is one of the greatest hazards to affect a business, especially in the aftermath of a tornado. Electrical cords and outlets may spark and start fires on debris after the tornado. Make sure that you business is covered for insurance against fire and other disasters.

• Insure Your Business: In case of a natural disaster of any kind, your business should be insured well before the disaster strikes. Remember that many natural disasters bring other sorts of issues like fire and flooding.
• Have an Evacuation Plan: If you and your employees have to evacuate, where are you going to evacuate to? Does your business practice disaster drills in case of a tornado? What if there are customers in your store when a disaster strikes? These are all questions you should consider before a tornado hits.
• Have a Shelter-in-Place Plan: If you and your employees aren’t able to evacuate safely, make sure you have a safe room designated where everyone can shelter. In case of a tornado, the best place tends to be the lowest and most interior room (ideally a basement, although an interior closet or bathroom also works).
• Have an Emergency Kit: If a tornado strikes, having a basic emergency disaster kit is imperative. Include food, water, first aid supplies, and some sort of safety blankets for warmth.