Damage Caused by Floods: Business Recovery

6 min read

Floods are among the most unpredictable and destructive natural disasters. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, many areas in Los Angeles County are at risk of flooding, affecting residents and as many as 5,000 businesses. These floods can cause extensive damage to properties, resulting in costly repairs and even causing some businesses to close their doors forever.

Due to the extensive damage caused by floods, the recovery process can feel drawn-out and arduous, affecting your business operations. While the situation is inconvenient in the least, there are steps business owners can take to mitigate the damage and put their company on the road to recovery.

How Do Floods Affect Businesses?

The impact of floods on businesses can be widespread and lasting, requiring significant resources for recovery and potentially leading to long-term financial challenges. These can include:

• Property Damage: Floods can cause severe damage to buildings, equipment, inventory, and other physical assets.

• Business Interruption: Flooding can force businesses to temporarily close down or reduce operations, resulting in lost revenue, decreased production, or delayed customer orders.

• Loss of Records and Data: Flooding can damage critical business records and files, electronic equipment, and data storage devices, causing loss of vital information.

• Health and Safety Concerns: Contaminants and toxins from flood water can create health hazards for employees and customers.

• Reputational Damage: Floods can negatively impact your reputation if floods make your operations unable to fulfill customer orders or contractual deadlines.

Types of Property Damage Caused By Floods

There are several ways in which floods can cause damage to your business. Some of these include:

• Structural Damage: Floods can seep into your walls, floors, foundation, and other structural parts and compromise their structural integrity. This can lead to expensive repairs, disturbing your business operations.

• Water Damage: Water damage can affect business inventory, equipment, and furniture due to water exposure is another common result of floods. This can lead to a significant loss of revenue, as you will need to replace damaged items or spend on restoration efforts.

• Mold and Mildew: After flooding, untreated dampness and moisture can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. It takes less than 72 hours for mold spores to grow, leading to unpleasant odors and health hazards. Mold can also eat up organic surfaces, causing property damage.

• Electrical Damage: Floods can cause severe damage to electrical systems, leading to shorts, fires, and making your property unsafe for occupancy.

• Contamination: Floodwater can carry contaminants such as sewage, chemicals, and other pollutants, which can cause significant health risks to your staff and customers.

What To Do Before a Flood

Even before a flood or heavy storms occur, businesses can plan to minimize or mitigate the effects of a flood. Here are some action steps you can prepare ahead of time:

• Disaster Response Plan: This is a list of protocols your business should have ready in case of natural disasters, including floods. Ensure all employees are thoroughly trained in flood response procedures and understand their roles and responsibilities during emergencies.
• Emergency Contacts: Have a list of emergency contacts readily accessible in case of a flood. This list should include local authorities, utility companies, insurance providers, and property restoration professionals.
• Backup Data Storage: Ideally, your business systems and essential documents, such as contracts and financial records, are stored in an off-site location or the cloud. This ensures you can recover important documents in case a flood destroys your business equipment.
• Business Continuity Plan: Have an emergency plan of how your business will continue to operate during and after a flood. This minimizes financial loss and ensures your clients and stakeholders continue to receive your products and services.
• Flood Property Protection: Invest in property features that minimize flood damage in a natural disaster. This includes floodgates or barriers, sump pumps, and sealed windows and doors. Regular maintenance for features like gutters can also ensure your property is prepared against floods.

Steps To Recover From Damage Caused By Floods

The best way to handle water restoration in Canoga Park is to contact a reliable property restoration team. A certified team can manage the restoration process, allowing you to focus on recovering your business operations.

Some of the steps business owners can take to recover from a flood include the following:

1. Assess the Flood Damage

The restoration team will assess the affected area and document everything. This can help them understand the scale of the recovery and restoration efforts needed for your property. Additionally, their documentation will greatly help your insurance claims by creating a list of damaged inventory and equipment.

2. Ensure Health and Safety Measures

Various potential health and safety hazards may be present following a flood on your business property. Your property restoration team can advise if it’s safe for you and your employees to enter the area. Some steps can include turning off power to the building and wearing protective gear.

3. Contact Your Insurance Company

Be prompt with your insurance claim and contact your insurance company as quickly as possible, as this can be a lengthy process. Your insurance agent should provide a list of all the documents you need to file a claim. See if your property restoration team can assist you with some of these, especially documenting the damage.

4. Water Extraction and Drying

Your restoration team will begin extracting water and drying out the affected area. This will help limit the damage’s extent and prevent further issues, including mold growth. Depending on the severity of the situation, this may require the assistance of a professional property restoration company with the necessary equipment and expertise to manage the job efficiently.

5. Salvage and Restore Damaged Items

This may include cleaning and disinfecting affected equipment and sorting through any inventory that may have been damaged beyond repair. Professional restoration services may sometimes be required to recover items of importance or high value.

6. Restoration and Repairs

Depending on the extent of the damage caused by floods, technicians may repair flood damage by replacing drywall and affected flooring, repainting walls and ceilings, and other necessary processes. It’s crucial for the success of your recovery process to work with experienced contractors who can ensure that the building is safe, structurally sound, and compliant with all relevant building codes.

7. Reevaluate Your Business Operations

While your property restoration team handles your physical establishment, you have more time to evaluate your business operations and make any necessary adjustments. Disasters like floods often force businesses to review their strategies and identify areas of their operations that can be improved. Factors such as diversifying your product offering, rebuilding your stock levels, or modifying your supply chain may help mitigate the risk of future disasters.

Let Restoration 1 of Canoga Park Assist Your Business Recovery Efforts

Damage caused by floods can be immensely challenging for businesses to overcome. With careful planning and a team working to reverse the effects of flood damage, a swift recovery is indeed possible. Restoration 1 of Canoga Park is ready to help businesses immediately after experiencing a flood or any water damage. Our emergency services are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays, and can provide a swift response when you need it most.

In case of water damage, contact us today at (818) 369-3820.