According to the 'State of the UK Climate' report published by the Met Office earlier this year, winters are becoming wetter. October 2023-March 2024 was the wettest winter half year on record, and six of the ten wettest winters have occurred in the last 25 years1.
With the increased rainfall comes the risk of flood. Floods are one of the most common and costly natural disasters in the United Kingdom, impacting both urban and rural areas due to unpredictable weather. With around 6.3 million properties in England in areas at risk of flooding2, it's crucial that you regularly review your business continuity plans so you can respond in a calm and pre-planned way should your business become impacted.
Business continuity planning for flood preparedness
In addition to your annual and quarterly reviews, consider reassessing communications with your emergency response team in preparation for floods. Ensure you have a robust Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place to effectively respond if a flood occurs. Key steps include:
- Meet with your emergency response team in preparation for an event
- Review, revise, and distribute your internal communication plan to ensure your employees know what to do and where to go for information if a flood occurs
- Ensure up-to-date exterior and interior asset inventories are documented and photos and/or video are included
- Ensure your emergency listings are up to date
- Update your crisis communications planning checklist
- Update your social media and disaster communication plan
- Make sure your office is equipped with items on the disaster supply list
- Review your flood preparedness checklist
- In the event of a facility closure or evacuation, be prepared to bring essential items
Advanced flood business preparations
Sometimes, notice of a potential flood is provided, such as during storms. If a flood is forecasted by a governmental agency as a result of rising waters, follow the flood preparation items in the list below:
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| Interior building checklist |
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| Employee preparations |
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Flood preparations without advanced warning
If a sudden rainstorm or other event occurs with no notice, the danger of a flood’s rapidly rising and moving water is massive and could carry debris. Water also increases the possibility of electrocution due to downed power lines and can contain biohazard items. Safety, at this point, is the first order for both your staff and tenants. Use any previously mentioned safety guidelines in addition to those listed below:
| Exterior building checklist |
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| Interior building checklist |
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| Employee preparations |
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Post flood guidelines
While organising the post-recovery efforts for your business, be sure to review the flood plan with what went well, what needs improving and update it, as necessary.
| Exterior building guidelines |
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| Interior building guidelines |
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When inspecting the property, make sure to avoid all areas with flooded electrical circuits and submerged power lines or electrical appliances until the power has been cut. Also, watch and listen for leaking gas lines, electrical lines, or flammable materials in the water. Try to limit the use of smartphones and hand-held radios to preserve battery life in the event of power failure.
You will also need to contact the following groups after a flood:
- Emergency services, such as the fire department, gas and electric companies, as necessary, based on the review of the property
- A security company if there is sufficient damage to the property to arrange for surveillance and supply a list of approved employees to reduce the possibility of trespassing
- Local hospitals regarding injured staff and keep a log of all calls
- Your insurance carrier to verbally report damage so that an adjuster can be sent to the site
- Vendors, such as cleaning services, biohazard companies, electricians, or plumbers, to help reduce further damage to the property that might result from standing water and prevent mosquitoes from developing
- Replace and restock items on your disaster supply list
- Lastly, complete any mitigation items as directed by your insurance broker
After receiving the "all-clear" signal from your local agencies or emergency personnel, you can begin your post-flood measures. Once it's safe to return to your business, examine the property and complete your preliminary damage assessment report with pictures or video of the damage and property, a facility inspection, and inspection of the foundations for cracks and other significant damage, paying particular attention to retaining walls. Share this information with your insurance agent as soon as possible.
How we can help
The steps you take in ensuring your business is protected against flooding before it happens is vital. A robust business continuity plan could ease some of the pressures and decisions you and your people may face when your business needs it the most.
While insurance provides a foundation for recovery that keeps the wheels turning in the short term and recoups your losses over the long, it's only one part of the equation.
Our qualified professionals take the time to understand your organisation, determine a suitable business continuity strategy, implement the responses, and then maintain and review the plan over time.
