Workplace Flood PreparednessAs many as 40% of small businesses do not reopen following a major disaster such as a flood or earthquake. Take the time to prepare now so that you’re not caught unprepared! A flood might not put your business under water, but it could prevent customers and supplies from reaching you.
TO PREPARE:
Check your flood hazard rating by going to www.floodsmart.gov.
Contact your insurance agent about insurance to cover flood, land movement, etc.
- Make sure one employee from each shift knows how to contact the owner or operator at all times.
- Train everyone in your facility to prepare for a disaster and what to do when a disaster occurs.
- Encourage your employees to be prepared at home
 . Your employees won’t come into work if they have to take care or their families and homes.
- Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12" above your facility’s projected flood elevation.
- Place the furnace and water heater on masonry blocks or concrete at least 12” above the projected flood elevation.
- Coordinate your planning efforts with your suppliers and vendors to ensure they can provide you with what you need to stay in business.
- Make plans to elevate your supplies and equipment within your business or to move them to high ground.
- Have well-stocked first aid kits and know where they are.
FLOOD WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will soon occur in your area:
- Listen to 710 AM for official Emergency Alert System messages or 1700 AM for local emergency information. Check the City of Auburn website and TV21 for additional information regarding the situation.
- Register for Auburn Alert to have emergency messages delivered to you by phone.
- Determine if the roads you normally travel will be flooded during a storm. If so, look for alternate routes to use during flooding.
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
- Do not drive around barricades.
AFTER THE FLOOD:
- Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede. Listen to a radio or television and do not return until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
- Stay out of a building if flood waters remain around the building.
- When entering buildings, use extreme caution.
- Look for fire hazards.
- Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage.
- Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.
- Inspect your utilities & report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.
- Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.
- Report damage to your insurance carrier immediately and to local and federal authorities as soon as requested
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