Flood Preparedness & Response Checklist

Statistically, businesses are more likely to be flooded than to burn down. Although floods cannot be predicted, you can prepare for them by using the checklist below. (Source: OHS Insider, with information compiled from the US Small Business Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.)

Planning for a Flood

• Find out if your facility is in a flood plain
• Learn the history of flooding in your area
• Find out about the elevation of your facility in relation to streams, rivers and dams
• Review your community’s emergency plan and evacuation routes and where to find higher ground
• Establish warning procedures for your facility
• Establish emergency communication procedures, e.g., alert notification system, phone tree, etc.
• Establish and practice evacuation procedures for your facility
• Inspect the parts of your facility that are subject to flooding
• Identify records and equipment that can be moved to a higher location
• Make plans to move records and equipment if a flood occurs
• Purchase a radio that picks up Environment Canada’s Weather radio broadcasts (NOAA Weather Radio in the US) and use it to listen for flood watches and warnings
• Talk to your insurance agent about your policy and coverage

Before the Flood

• Review your Emergency Plan with your response team and key employees
• Take all necessary steps to prevent the release of dangerous chemicals stored on your property
• Anchor all fuel tanks
• Postpone scheduled deliveries of goods
• Identify meeting place and time for all key employees on your Crisis Management Team
• Create voicemail for evacuation or out of office
• Update disaster recovery kits
• Activate crisis back-up procedures
• Maintain accurate inventory of product on site
• Use plugs to prevent floodwater from backing up into sewer drains, or install flood vents or flood proof barriers
• Stay tuned to local media community messaging

During the Flood

• Remember that life and safety take precedence over everything else
• Implement next phase of your business continuity plan
• Send non-critical staff home
• Raise elevators to the second level and turn off power
• Stay tuned to local media and evacuate as instructed or when circumstances require
• Take cell phones, charger, critical hardware and emergency kits with you
• Unplug electrical items before leaving
• Consider redirecting business phones to your cell phones or an answering service
• Have a central point of contact for all employees so you can find out where they’re located during and after the flood

After the Flood

• Listen to news reports to verify the community water supply is safe to drink
• Avoid floodwaters, which may be contaminated or electrically charged
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded, roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of your car
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet
• Implement Disaster Recovery Plan
• Assess damage
• Notify key people of next steps on basis of damage assessment
• Contact employees via determined communication method and discuss next steps
• Contact your insurance agent