Floods are one of the most common and widespread of all disasters and are growing in frequency and severity due to the impact of global warming.

Your business is more likely to flood than to burn down, so it is vital you have a flood plan. By taking action to prepare in advance for flooding, most businesses can save 20 to 90 per cent on the cost of lost stock and moveable equipment, as well as a lot of trouble and stress.

It is vital that businesses:

• Find out if they are at risk from flooding - see Am I at risk of flood?
• Find out about flood warnings - see Practical steps - before, during and after a flood
• Plan to prepare their property and minimise financial risks, and
• Ensure the safety of all staff

This guidance is aimed at small to medium sized businesses (SMEs)

We've considered a home flood plan under What's a flood plan? and many of the suggestions there can equally be applied to a business.

In addition use the checklist below to see if you've covered all areas and are prepared for a flood - if you haven't got the answers below, you need to think what else you can do to protect your business:

• Know your flood risk - if you're in a flood risk area, have you signed up for flood warnings?
• Prepare a flood plan - use the details under What's a flood plan? to create a plan for your business
• How will your business respond to a flood? - make sure you have your list of contacts available and up to date
• Do you know how to shut off your gas/electric/water supplies?
• Household possessions can be moved to safety out of reach of flood; the same applies to your stock, fittings and valuable equipment

You may not be directly affected by a local flood, but what if your suppliers or customer are?

Have you developed flood contingency plans with them?

In an emergency can you call someone to help you move equipment or deploy any defenses? If you have staff do you have flood safety procedures; are staff trained in how to react and what to do if the premises have to be evacuated?

Protecting property

• Have you installed flood protection products? - see What can I do to stop my home flooding? for useful ideas and links for flood protection
• Alternatively, do you have a stockpile of useful materials including plywood, plastic sheeting, sandbags (unfilled), sand, nails, hammer, shovel, blocks of wood and a saw for a DIY response?
• Do you and your staff have high ground where you can park your cars?
• Are your electrical sockets above flood level and is the equipment plugged into them either raised above flood level or able to be raised at short notice?

Flood insurance

Unlike household insurance where flood cover is generally a standard feature, business insurances do not necessarily include flood as standard, so check you have sufficient insurance cover in the event of a flood. If you are at risk of flood, it would be worth discussing with your insurer what information they would require in the event of a loss and they may be able to give you some guidance on flood protection.

Evacuation

Floods can occur very quickly and you may not have much time to react. Do you have a procedure to let your staff know about an evacuation? Listen to local radio to see if roads have been closed to identify a safe route, but if the worse occurs and you or your staff can't get home, do you have anywhere you can shelter? Floods are a stressful and potentially dangerous situation; having a plan and ensuring all staff are aware of it could help control staff panic.