Severe weather events like hurricanes, snowstorms, wildfires, hailstorms, or heavy rain can cause major damage to commercial properties and disrupt business operations. For property owners, facility managers, and tenants alike, being prepared ahead of time is key to minimizing risk and recovering more quickly if something goes wrong. Here are some steps you can take toward keeping your commercial property prepared for severe weather and helping ensure your commercial insurance coverage aligns with the potential risks.

Inspect and Maintain the Building Exterior and Interior

Start with the basics: your roof, siding, windows, and doors. These are your first line of defense against wind, rain, and flying debris. Make sure roofing materials are secure, gutters and drains are clear of debris, and windows are properly sealed. Reinforce doors, especially roll-up or glass entry doors, which are more vulnerable in high-wind events. If your property includes signage, fencing, or exterior lighting, ensure these elements are anchored firmly. Even small, loose items can become dangerous projectiles in a windstorm.

Trim trees and remove dead limbs around the building that could fall in high winds or under heavy snow. Secure loose outdoor furniture, dumpsters, pallets, or equipment that could shift or blow away. If flooding is a concern in your area and heavy rain is in the forecast, install sandbags, barriers, or water diversion systems near entry points. Be sure any exterior drainage systems are working properly and not blocked by landscaping or debris.

Protect Equipment and Interior Assets

Move sensitive equipment, electronics, and inventory away from windows or ground-level areas that could flood. If you have the option, store high-value items on higher floors or on raised platforms. Install surge protectors or backup power systems to protect against outages. For businesses with critical systems (like servers, refrigeration, or manufacturing equipment), having a power loss contingency plan is essential. This could include battery backups, generators, or pre-arranged service from emergency contractors.

Review Your Emergency Response Plan

Every commercial property should have an up-to-date emergency plan that outlines evacuation procedures, shutoff locations for utilities, key contacts, and roles for building staff or tenants. Share the plan with all occupants, and conduct seasonal reviews or drills to keep everyone informed and ready.

If your building has multiple tenants, coordinate with the others to ensure their emergency actions don’t conflict with yours, especially in shared areas like lobbies, elevators, or garages.

Check Your Insurance Coverage Before the Storm Hits

Severe weather often exposes gaps in insurance policies. Review your commercial property insurance to confirm your current limits, deductibles, and exclusions. Pay special attention to coverage for wind, hail, water damage, and business interruption. If your building is in a flood-prone area, remember that not all commercial property insurance policies cover flood damage. You may need to secure separate flood insurance to fill that gap.

A few proactive steps today can help prevent major losses tomorrow, and may even improve your chances of a smooth insurance claims process if something does go wrong. Contact us today for a commercial property insurance review and make sure your coverage aligns with the risks your property faces year-round.