The footage from the recent hurricanes still regularly appearing on the news should be a reminder to businesses of the importance of making sure your business continuity plan includes flooding as a possible source of damage and disruption. Even for those not located along a coastline or in a flood plain, it’s important to remember just how much trouble water can cause you.
Since not all types of flooding are of equal likelihood or potential damage, it’s important to start your business continuity plan update by performing a risk analysis to identify which types of flooding your area might be more prone to, according to an article in TechTarget.
For those along the coast, it might be driven by severe storms, while those inland might be more at risk from riverine or urban flooding, and almost all places will be at risk from failures like burst pipes. Additionally, your specific geography needs to be considered, as well as any history of flooding in your area.
Once this information is established, you can begin building a plan centered on the types of vulnerabilities your site has, and creating appropriate responses, including building training for employees and determining alternate work arrangements if the site becomes temporarily unusable or inaccessible.
As with all types of business continuity plans, all of this should be accompanied by a proper communications strategy, up-to-date emergency contact information for all those who might be affected, and a plan for progressive recovery after the immediate hazard has passed.
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