Tackling flood risks to your business

In 2015 Storm Desmond broke the UK’s 24-hour rainfall record, with 341.4mm of rain falling at Honister Pass, Cumbria, on 5th December.

Further flooding during December and into 2016 caused devastating effects on property, businesses and individuals. Whilst we are unable to control the weather businesses can, with some plan-ningmitigate potential losses.

Pre-event – what can be done?

Before considering ways to protect your property it is important to assess the likelihood of flooding by considering flooding history and proximity to water sources. If there is a risk, consideration should be given to reducing the risk and action should be taken to prepare in advance, such as:

Raising the elevations of critical equipment and stock to other parts of the premises, or to an upper floor.

Protecting basements from water ingress.

Develop and/or extend existing emergency plans to include actions in the event of flooding.

Make up a flood kit – including key business documents, key phone numbers, torch, battery, wind-up radio, mobile phone, rubber gloves, wellington boots, waterproof clothing and a first aid kit.

Whereavailable subscribe to flood alert warnings such as the Environment Agency Flood Alert Scheme.

Flooded properties can benefit from some degree of ‘flood-resilient’ repair which may not cost substantially more than a standard repair. Repairing a property that has been flooded offers an opportunity to minimise the damage and disruption that could be caused by flooding in the future and in such instances some expenditure maybe required by you which are beyond the costs covered by your insurance claim.

There are two main approaches:

Flood resilience – reduces damage caused when flood water gets inside the property.

Flood resistance – reduces the amount of water that gets inside the property.

There is a growing range of products and techniques for keeping flood water out of your property and it is important that only products suitable for the intended end use application are considered. We recommend use of products that have been independently tested under the B SI Kite mark scheme and proved fit for purpose. It is your responsibility to ensure that the products are appropriate for your property and are correctly fitted and maintained.

For more information regarding flood alerts or your flood risk the Environment Agency website would be a good point of reference or for general information or advice please contact yourinsurance advisor.