Storm Safety for Your Phoenix Business

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Monsoons will be here before you know it, and it’s a good time to brush up on some storm safety tips for your business that you can use so you’re not caught off guard and can protect your building from damage and what to do if you need storm damage assistance.

Monsoons in Arizona and the damage they cause

Monsoons can be quite dramatic, but severe thunderstorms produce dangerously heavy winds and lightning strikes, not to mention flooding; all of which can impact your office building. Sometimes, flash flooding, power outages, and property damage can result from severe weather. Take heed of these suggestions to protect your office building.

Prepare during severe storm watches

When monsoon season is underway, residents usually get a bit of a heads up when a storm is approaching, as well as how damaging it can potentially be. When a watch is issued, it means that conditions are just right for severe storms to develop. Tune into your radio or TV frequently for up-to-date information, and use this time to prepare your office building for a storm:

• Review the community's emergency warning system and protocols so you know what to watch for.
• At your place of work, reiterate company policy for severe weather safety to all employees.
• Secure loose equipment or furnishings around your building.
• Reschedule outdoor events for better weather; don’t risk having an event even if a storm appears mild as they can build momentum easily and grow.

Once a warning is in effect, your preparations to your office building will improve safety throughout your business and hopefully avoid or minimize damage.

Stay indoors until the storm passes

Most monsoon storms move on within an hour or so or become less dangerous after the initial impact. Regardless of how long the storm takes to pass or subside, plan to stay put until the high winds, lightning, and heavy rain or hail are over. It may be tempting to tell employees to go home to shelter, but it’s best for everyone to stay put until the bulk of the storm has passed. While waiting for the danger to pass, take appropriate safety precautions:

• Shutter doors and windows and stay away from windows, glass doors, and skylights in your office building.
• Avoid standing near electrical equipment, including electrical telephones, and don’t work on any electronics during a storm.
• Move away from plumbing systems that may burst.
• Unplug any electronics as possible until storm passes, especially during lighting storms

Listen to weather updates

Experts recommend waiting about 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder before leaving the safety of your business to make your way home. While it may seem like a mild monsoon storm, lightning and other situations caused by the storm can do you harm, so don’t take unnecessary chances. Even once the storm has passed, there’s the potential for flooding, debris in roadways, downed electrical lines and more. Stay tuned to local news for updates on hazardous conditions.

Contact SERVPRO if you experience storm damage

Every year during monsoons, there are fallen trees on buildings, roofs collapsing, and flooding. It’s a good idea to have a reputable storm remediation company’s information on hand so you can get help recovering quickly for your business. SERVPRO of Central Phoenix specializes in storm damage cleanup and restoration. Available 24/7, we can help you get your home or office back to normal. Contact us at (602) 386-4268 to get the help you need.