The Midwest to include both St. Louis and Kansas City and small towns across the state have already encountered severe weather in the form of Tornadoes, hail, heavy rain, and flooding. Being aware of the weather is critical for living here in the Midwest and requires high situational awareness during this time of year to avoid unnecessary risks and exposure to inclement weather.
Spring can bring about some of the year’s most dangerous weather and wreak havoc on many aspects of a company’s or a household’s daily operations. Be prepared and be aware! Spring is always a good time to review your insurance coverage so that you can identify exposures prior to severe weather striking and creating loss.
The information below discusses the weather threats to watch out for during spring, and measures businesses and homeowners can take to minimize damage. Here is a quick look at the past few weeks here in Missouri.
Dangerous Spring Weather
Unexpected severe weather increases the risk of property damage, injury and even death. Here are some common types of spring weather events:
- Tornadoes—According to AccuWeather, tornadoes are by far the most extreme event in the spring. Winds from tornadoes can exceed 200 miles per hour, sending debris flying.
- Thunderstorms—Severe thunderstorms can produce strong winds, large hail, and lightning. If lightning strikes in a dry area, fires can occur.
- Flooding—Snowmelt, ice jams, and heavy rain can produce large amounts of water runoff in a short period of time, resulting in floods.
- Excessive heat—The second half of spring typically brings higher temperatures, leading to heat-related disorders or illnesses if employees work in outdoor environments.
Minimizing Risks
While springtime weather may be unpredictable, businesses can minimize risks to both people and property by preparing for all situations. Business leaders should consider the following precautions:
- Develop a plan. If employees must travel to work, severe spring weather could put them in danger on the road. In addition, shelter-in-place orders or power outages could also pose threats to onsite employees, clients, and customers. Having a plan in place can help everyone remain safe during an emergency. Outline what employees should do indifferent circumstances—such as a power loss—and have a communication protocol. Conduct drills until the plan becomes second nature.
- Keep an emergency kit on hand. This kit should contain emergency supplies, including flashlights, water, a first-aid kit, blankets, extra batteries, a toolset, and current contact information for state and local entities.
- Secure the property and outdoor assets. Dead trees, weak structures and unsecured materials can become airborne hazards during windstorms, damaging buildings, or external systems. If severe weather is in the forecast, complete preventive maintenance, close windows securely, bring outdoor furniture inside and clear out storm drains.
- Back up data. Severe weather can cause power outages and may physically damage equipment. Back up critical data often to help smoothly rebuild systems.
Obtain proper insurance coverage. An experienced insurance broker can help business leaders understand and plan for the impacts of catastrophic weather. Complete a coverage review to ensure there are no gaps in coverage that will result in an uncovered loss.
By minimizing the opportunity for property damage, preparing employees to act, and working with an experienced broker to ensure the appropriate insurance coverage is in place, businesses can better mitigate risks during the springtime. For more information, contact us today.
Let us review and assess your insurance needs…we are proud to serve!
www.stlouisinsuranceservices.com
314-288-2880
References:
- National Weather Service – https://www.weather.gov/ilx/severe-prep
- Missouri Storm Aware – https://stormaware.mo.gov/preparing-for-a-tornado/
- American Red Cross – Thunderstorm Safety – https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/thunderstorm.html
