Centurion’s Loss Control Manager Recommends 25 Ways to Reduce Your Flood Damage Risks
- Does the property have a history of flooding or flash-flooding and to what extent?
- Is business property located within a FEMA designated flood zone? Centurion Insurance Services can make this determination for you free of charge.
- How high would the water depth on the property likely be in the event of a 100-year flood?
- In the event that the property is in a flood zone, have key organizational personnel been assigned to monitor the flood alert warning systems in the local community prior to and during severe storms?
- Is the property in full compliance with any local ordinances or codes relating to flood damage prevention?
- Are there possible obstructions on or around the property that would allow flood waters to back up such as blocked or inadequate drainage ditches and culverts?
- Are smaller outbuilding and other items such as propane tanks and ground mounted heat pumps sufficiently anchored to prevent their floating away?
- Are the buildings properly oriented to handle the water pressure from significant flooding, such as the narrower building ends facing toward and away from the likely direction of the flood water flow?
- If flood water vents have been installed in the buildings to limit the flood water pressure against them, have they been installed properly and appear to be functional?
- Have provisions been made to move vehicles, mobile/stationary equipment, and other bulky items stored on the outside to higher ground in the event of a flood warning?
- Have provisions been made to remove high value building contents such as computers and copiers to a safe location?
- When there isn’t sufficient time to remove valuable items, has consideration been given to elevating them above the expected flood water levels such as placing them on tables or filing cabinets?
- Are sump pumps and floor drains present and functioning properly?
- Have heating and air conditioning units, ventilation, plumbing equipment been designed to prevent water from penetrating their interiors?
- If the property has a water well, has it been properly sealed to prevent flood water contamination?
- If the building has been provided with an emergency generator, does it have a transfer switch for the sump pump to continue operating in the event of a power loss?
- Can ground level and basement walls be protected from flood water seepage by waterproofing sprays, foam or shrink-wrap plastic?
- Have flow back preventers been installed to prevent sewage backup inside the building?
- Are the building’s public service connections sufficiently elevated to prevent water damage?
- Are the ground and basement level floors water resistant and easily replaceable in the event of contamination by flood waters?
- Have key personnel been instructed to shut-off the building’s utilities before the flooding begins?
- Are pre-fitted, plastic or metal water-tight enclosures for doors and windows available that are intended to prevent the ingress of flood waters?
- Is emergency equipment available such as portable generators and water pumps.
- Are emergency materials for temporary flood damage repairs available such as plywood, lumber, plastic sheeting, nails and hand tools?
- Has a business survival file been put together that contains Important non-digital, paper information such as copies of the insurance policies, building plans, lists of building contents, deeds, titles, rental agreements and other hard to replace documents?
Your Centurion Insurance Services team is here to help you protect your property. Take some time to go over this flood questionnaire, and contact your Centurion account manager to discuss questions about your flood insurance or prepare a new policy to protect your business.
For questions about the flood loss prevention measures listed here, please feel contact Centurion’s Loss Control Manager, Rob Brooks, at (606) 434-0739 or rob.brooks@centinssvc.com.