Protecting Your Business Against Tornadoes

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Every year in the United States there are around 1,000 tornadoes, with Texas being one of the states with the highest number of outbreaks (an average of 132 tornadoes). While only three tornadoes touched down in Tarrant County last year, and it’s been a quiet year so far this year, it’s still important to make sure your business is prepared for a tornado at any given time during tornado season.

Protecting Your Employees

The most important thing to do is protect your employees. Without your employees you wouldn’t have a business, after all! If you haven’t already call SERVPRO of Lake Worth/Benbrook to set up an Emergency Readiness Program.

During storm season, be sure to pay attention and monitor the weather – especially if there’s a change of severe storms for the day, or a tornado watch in your county. Purchase a NOAA weather radio that’s either battery powered or hand-crank. Download a weather app for your phone, preferably one that offers you notifications when there is a watch or warning issued for your area.

Make sure your employees know where the designated safe room is in the event of a tornado. The room should have no windows or outside facing walls. Close interior doors to help compartmentalize the building and put more barriers between you and flying debris. If you have employees out in the field, plan with them in case severe weather strikes.

Protect Your Property

If you’re building a new location, work with your contractor or architect to ensure high wind rated products are being used. Make sure your employees have a place to go as well – be it a tornado shelter, safe room, or interior room.

If you’re not building a new location, and you’re able to (with the property management company or landlord’s permission) retrofit your property. This can include reinforcing the roof by bracing and strapping the roof, make your doors more wind resistant. Even building a tornado shelter is a good idea. Proper maintenance of the business grounds such as trimming trees and bushes, as they can fall on building walls or roofs and damage the structure. Make thorough inspections of your building to make sure everything is in place and missing or loose.

If a storm hits your commercial building, we know what to do! Call SERVPRO of Lake Worth Benbrook at 817.560.3086