How To Create an Emergency Storm Plan

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Thunderstorm

As a property manager, you juggle a lot of responsibilities. You must ensure that the property is safe for all tenants and that employees are not only doing their job but are also well treated. Having a storm preparedness plan is one way you can protect the building, grounds and all the people involved in an emergency situation.

Commercial Emergency Storm Plan

Building Readiness

Making sure your building is in top shape before storm season begins should be a priority for property management. Storm damage restoration experts recommend a building inspection before any major change in weather to safeguard areas vulnerable to high winds and heavy rain:

• Windows
  
• Doorways
  
• Roof
  
• Basement
  

When storm season in Ogden, UT, approaches, make sure that you have enough sandbags to slow the flow of water toward the building. Check your backup generator and sump pumps to ensure that they are working properly. The more precautions you can put in place, the better chance your building has of surviving the storm.

People Protection

A good storm preparedness plan revolves around keeping everyone safe and informed. Compile a list of emergency numbers that you can access from anywhere. Keep a hard copy in an easily accessible location just in case your electronic devices fail during the storm. Develop a system for alerting tenants in emergency situations, and inform everyone of this system in writing. It's important to keep the lines of communication open in case you need to evacuate the building or let residents know when they can return to their units. It's also helpful to have a backup plan just in case phone lines are down during or after the storm. Inform your renters and train your staff well so that everyone knows what to expect and what to do.

Having a storm preparedness plan is crucial for property managers. A good plan protects your building and all the people in it.