Preparing Your Business For a Snow Storm

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Get your business ready for a snowstorm.

Protect Your Business and Employees from a Snow Storm

The winter months can be a challenging time for your business, but the risks of damage and potential loss can be minimized with some preparation. There's no such thing as a typical snowstorm, but there are steps you should take to protect your business and employees before they start falling.

Create an Emergency Plan

The first step in preparing your business for a snowstorm is to create an emergency plan and make sure that all of your employees know about it. You should also have a plan for where to go if you are stranded, how to communicate with employees and customers, what to do if the building floods, and how you will get supplies.

Establish a Communication Plan

Make sure everyone knows what to do if they can't get to work, or if they can't get home. Use text messages, email, and social media to keep in touch with your employees and customers and let them know how the storm is affecting business. This is often the best time for people to check their voicemail anyway—so make sure you have an automatic message set up explaining why you're not answering the phone right now.

Assign Responsibilities

When creating an emergency plan for your business, be sure that everyone knows what their role will be during an extreme weather event. In addition, assign someone who has access to the Internet or other resources so that they can find out about any updates in case power goes out or roads become impassable. Here are some other responsibilities to consider:

• Who will be responsible for communication? Perhaps you've already prepared a plan for how your team will communicate with one another during the storm, but it's important to review this plan again before the snow starts falling. Make sure everyone knows what their role is and how they should respond during an emergency situation.
• Who will be responsible for supplies? You may have an established list of items that need to be stocked up on before severe weather hits, and those items should still be available if there's a blizzard in your area, but extra things may need purchasing as well. This might include food, batteries or flashlights, heavy blankets, water bottles, and more. The list varies depending on your industry (and whether your employees are working remotely).

Identify an Alternate Location, If Necessary

The next step is to plan for your business to be closed. If you have a backup location, identify it and make sure it is ready to receive customers. If not, consider having employees work from home on days when the office will be open late or closed completely.

If you’ve decided that your office will be partially open or fully open during the storm, have a plan in place for anyone who needs transportation between locations (if applicable).

Consider Safety for Community and Employees

You should keep your employees updated on the latest information about weather conditions, including whether or not you will be closing early, so they can plan accordingly. If you have staff who work from home, make sure they have access to the internet and electricity if needed. It's also a good idea to provide food and water for your staff in case power outages occur during the storm that prevents them from driving somewhere else for supplies. Prepare for road closures if necessary by stocking up on cleaning supplies such as shovels, brooms, trash bags, and mops for when you reopen after clearing off any ice or snow from sidewalks outside your business premises (if applicable).

Take Inventory

Getting your business ready for a snowstorm is a matter of preparing supplies, equipment, and emergency procedures.

Prepare Insurance Policies

Take inventory of your insurance policies and make sure they are up-to-date. If you have employees or depend on others to work in your business, check their health insurance plan as well.

Prepare Supplies and Equipment

Stock up on all the supplies that might be needed during the storm such as food, water, and drinks for employees who will be working at home or in other locations away from the office building during a storm. 

We hope these tips help you prepare for the next snowstorm. Remember that there is no one right way to handle a storm, so use your own judgment and take care of yourself! The most important thing is to have everything ready before it hits so you don’t have to worry about anything else once it does hit. 

If you experience storm damage from a snowstorm in your Muncy, PA business, give SERVPRO of Williamsport/Montoursville a call.