DEAR EXPERT
Planning for Disaster
Preparing for severe weather events has become critical. Insurance specialist TIM EHRHART provides advice on how to minimize potential damage.
Dear Expert, June marks the start of hurricane season. And in general, severe weather events seem to be on the uptick. How can we better prepare for them? Gearing Up in Greensboro, NC Dear Greensboro, accuracy, and to make sure that key employYou’re right to be concerned. Weather ees are still on staff. patterns appear to be shifting, leading to even larger losses from hurricanes, rain, hail, PROTECTING PROPERTY snow and flood events. Extreme weather can During Super Storm Sandy, the power was disrupt news operations at a time when the out in the New York and New Jersey area for public may be most dependent on them. days, and flooding at transmitter sites forced When severe storms strike, they often several AM stations off the air. Here are some bring heavy rains, flash floods and hail – ways to help minimize the impact of similar and in colder climates, snow and ice. Water situations involving water damage: may leak through roofs or windows, or seep ■ Inspect the property to make sure water into basements and low-level floors, causing cannot accumulate in areas where it does not significant damage. Power loss may occur, belong. Consider bringing in a landscape or sometimes for extended periods. Snow can pile up on roofs, Plan for the needs of employees who causing them to collapse. Ice can could be stranded at the office. Make build up on communication and cable transmission lines, bringing sure food and water are available and them down and causing service bathrooms are working. interruptions. Media news outlets play a special role in engineering firm to improve drainage and the community and are expected to stay on re-grade the property to direct water flow the air to keep the public informed. Radio away from critical areas. becomes extremely important as many peo- ■ Avoid placing critical equipment in baseple turn to battery-powered radios for infor- ments or on ground-level floors where it would be more vulnerable. If that’s not possimation when the power is out. It’s important to be prepared for such ble, you might install a raised floor to protect emergencies with a business continuity plan equipment from possible water intrusion. that addresses the maintenance and testing ■ Consider installing a water-intrusion detecof equipment and other critical systems. It tion system. It is important to detect flooding should include strategies for keeping the immediately, contain the leak and clean it up power on and plans to accommodate em- quickly to minimize damage. ployees who will be needed to keep the news ■ Regular preventive maintenance should operation running. Business continuity include testing sprinkler systems, HVAC plans need to be tested on a regular basis. (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) Contact information should be verified for systems, drains and sump pumps. For sprinkler systems, conduct regularly required tests Do you have a professional puzzle that per the National Fire Protection Association’s MFM and BCCA experts might be able to NFPA 25 standard. answer? We’ll mine the contact base and find ■ Properly maintain HVAC systems. the right person to answer your question. Just contact TFM editor Janet Stilson at Broadcast equipment often runs hot, and TFMeditor@mediafinance.org.
6 The Financial Manager • May/June 2020
HVAC systems are needed to keep equipment within the optimal temperature range. They can also pull humidity out of the air, so condensate drain lines need to be clear and properly plumbed to avoid water accumulation around equipment. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS During a severe storm, employees will be needed to keep operations running and to respond to the crisis. Employees who are already at the office may not be able to leave, and employees who are scheduled to work over the following days may not be able to get in. Plan for the needs of employees who could be stranded at the office. Make sure food and water are available and bathrooms are working. Companies may want to identify an area for cots where staff can sleep. It’s also important to develop clean-up plans. After a destructive storm, it may be days before a professional disaster recovery team can get to your facility. Keeping wet/ dry vacuums on hand can help troubleshoot that. Spill containment tools and sandbags may be useful for keeping water out of critical areas and equipment safe. Working with an insurer that understands the risks is also key. By troubleshooting severe weather events, media companies can help reduce the risk of a loss and be better prepared to serve the community in a time of crisis. This document is advisory in nature and is offered as a resource to be used together with your professional insurance advisors in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is an overview only and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with your insurance broker, or for legal, engineering or other professional advice. Tim Ehrhart is senior vice president, industry practices at the global insurer Chubb. He can be reached at tehrhart@chubb.com.
