Is Your Knoxville Business "Winter Storm" Ready?

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

When winter storms hit our Knoxville communities, we are ready to answer the call for any storm damage!

When it comes to bad weather and storm damage, January and February can be two of the most challenging months to handle here in Knoxville. You could be facing winter storms with snow, sleet, and freezing rain, or an ice storm, with build ups of over ¼ inches of ice. Another unfortunate side effect of this weather can be freezing and bursting pipes. Blizzard winds of over 35 mph can wreak havoc on your home or business and even be life-threatening. Are you ready for this storm damage and water damage potential?

INSPECTION TIME

Start by inspecting your Knoxville building and its premises so that you, your equipment, and your employees are protected. Look for leaks in the roof or walls, cracks near doors and windows, or loose trim that can blow off and injure someone. These issues could also lead to serious water damage hazards for your business. Submit any work requests to your landlord right away so that these problems can be solved immediately.

INSURANCE AND MAINTENANCE

Check your building maintenance agreement to see what processes are in place to handle snow and ice removal. Safe entry and exit to your place of business is extremely important during bad weather to keep people safe and accident-free. Make sure you are well-informed when it comes to your business’s insurance coverage. The coverage should cover any storm and water damages or injuries that could happen during a storm or its aftermath in the Knoxville area. Upgrade if necessary.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Compile a list of phone numbers needed during an emergency, such as police and fire department, your landlord, insurance company, plumbers, and snow removal services, or the utility companies in case of a power outage, and, of course, your friends at SERVPRO of West Knoxville/ Farragut. Ensure that this list is easily accessible to anyone who will be in your building and store it in the cloud in case you lose computers.

GENERATOR?

Do you have a backup generator? It might a good time to buy one, just in case.

PLAN AHEAD

During a storm, people may not be able to get into work, or they may not be able to return home. Think through as many possible scenarios as you can and have a plan to handle each one. Do you need to stock up on food and blankets? Is your office equipped with flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit? Does one of your employees have a four-wheel drive vehicle that could be used to help in an emergency? Make sure you have a plan when it comes to communication methods to employees, vendors, and emergency teams. If power is out, do you have a way to keep cell phones charged, for example? Posts on your social media accounts to let everyone know of emergency closures, etc. would be a good idea. Assign that task to someone who you know is reliable and a good communicator. If your business can be run from a remote location, ensure that employees know what would need to be done should they have to work from home for a time. Have a chain of command in place so that information gets to everyone who needs it.

Clearly, there is a lot to think about when it comes to winter weather and all the challenges that weather poses. Have a plan in place before the winter winds start to howl, and be safe! And remember to call SERVPRO of West Knoxville/ Farragut at (865) 690-9658 or visit http://www.SERVPROwestknoxvillefarragut.com/ if you need any help with water damage, fire damage, or mold cleanup!