Protect your business from flooding

Introduction

Flooding can be a business disaster. As well as damage to premises or equipment, you may lose stock and supplies. You may also find that you cannot trade while the damage is repaired, contracts are lost and customers may go elsewhere. Even if the flood does not impact your own premises directly, you may still find that suppliers are unable to meet your needs.

Your employees' homes may be affected and they may be unable to get to work if transport is affected. In addition to heavy financial losses, a flood may expose your business to civil or even criminal liability. In the worst-case scenario, employees and customers can be hurt or killed.

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters - businesses are more likely to be flooded than hit by fire. Due to climate change, the risk of flooding is rising. Currently, more than two million properties in England and Wales are at direct risk from river or sea-flooding. Elsewhere, heavy rain can cause groundwater to rise or dangerous surface water run-off. Even blocked sewers could cause your business to flood.

Simple preparations and planning can help. This guide explains how to assess the risks, how to protect your business and what to do after a flood.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Assess the risks of flooding
• Draw up a flood plan
• Insure your business against flooding
• Reduce potential flood damage
• Train employees to deal with flooding
• What to do after a flood

Print options - What are my print options - Opens in a new window

• Add guide to my print portfolio (print later as PDF)

Email options - What are my email options - Opens in a new window

• Tell a friend about this page
• Send me an email alert when this guide changes