Knowledge and preparation are your best defense
Tornadoes can strike anywhere and with little warning. Although they are most prevalent in the central United States, no city, big or small, is 100 percent safe from these violently rotating columns of air. As a nation, we average 1,000 tornadoes a year, which is 1,000 chances for you to be caught in the storm. With the tragedy of Moore, Oklahoma still fresh in our minds, we at Sadler Insurance want to help you stay safe in the event a tornado strikes in your area and help your small business in its recovery.
Warning Signs
- Dark greenish skies
- Large hail
- Funnel clouds (dark, rotating, low-altitude cloud)
- Roaring noise akin to a train
watch or warning
- Tornado watch – Conditions are favorable for the development of a tornado. Keep an eye on changing weather conditions and stay up-to-date on storm information by listening to your local radio or television stations.
- Tornado warning – Danger is imminent. A tornado has been spotted in the area or is indicated on weather radar.
Find Shelter
NEVER TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO.
- At home – Underground shelter is safest. If you do not have a storm cellar, the basement will be your most protected area. No basement? Take cover in a central location, preferably an interior closet or room void of any windows.
- Public building – Find a windowless area in the center of the building on the lowest possible floor, steer clear of any glass windows and crouch down with your arms covering the back of your head.
- In a vehicle – Get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. If no shelter is available, lie flat, face-down in the nearest ditch. Avoid any nearby vehicles and trees.
- Mobile home – GET OUT. Even with tie-downs, you’re safer outside.
After a Tornado
- Stay in your shelter until the storm has passed completely or emergency personnel have arrived.
- Check for injuries and seek help for the seriously injured.
- Be aware of downed power lines and standing water, which may have unseen live wires.
- DO not use matches or lighters as gas pipes or fuel tanks may be leaking.
Check in with your Insurance Company
If your business has sustained any tornado damage, notify your insurance company. If damage is sufficient enough for you to vacate the premises, make sure that your insurance representative is equipped with the information of where and how to contact you. For insurance purposes, take pictures and videos of the damage done to your building and keep track of any storm-related expenses incurred.
A Business Owners Policy (BOP) ensures that your small business is covered in the event of wind damage (except for coastal areas which may have wind exclusion). The property portion of the BOP policy may include coverage for the indirect loss of business income due to shut down or diminished operations.
To learn more about Business Owners Policies for your small business, visit our website at FastBusinessInsurance.com
Source – Tornado Safety
