Last updated on April 13th, 2015 at 02:16 pm

Being based in North Wales, in the Conwy Valley area we are aware that some businesses can be flooded after heavy rain (or in the case of last winter, when the snow melts).  Did you know that according the the Environment Agency, most businesses can save between 20 and 90 percent of the cost of lost stock and moveable equipment by having a flood plan and implementing this in the event of a flood.

A flood plan for many small businesses can be a simple written document that  lists the important contacts for your business (such as suppliers, any firms that look after your building, and senior staff), it should also include a map that shows the locations of service shut-off points (water mains, electricity, gas and anything like oil supplies if you use them for boilers etc) along with any other items that need to be moved or protected- do the office computers need to be moved to a higher location for example.  Ideally there should also be a check-list so that people can follow a simple list of instructions in the event of a flood.

Assuming that your business has flooded your first priority must be safety, both your own and your staff’s.  Don’t try to re-enter your premises until you are sure that they are safe (has the mains electricity been turned off for example – if not you could risk being electrocuted), remember that even if a building looks safe there may be structural damage and it might collapse so you need to get it checked.

You should also bear in mind that flood water could contain hazards such as raw sewage, chemicals and other hazards so wear protective clothing to prevent any contamination or infection.

If the building has flooded enough that you need a pump which is powered by a generator try to place the generator outside the building so that you don’t run the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the fumes build up too much.

Once you know that the building is safe to re-enter take photographs of the damage to the building, equipment and stock, these will all help with any insurance claim that you make.  However, before you start to salvage items and repair any damage talk to your insurance company or insurance broker, many will recommend tradesmen who will be able to help you and some will even make an interim payment to help you get your buiness going again as quickly as possible.  Ask your local authority if they can provide skips or extra rubbish collections for anything that your insurance company has agreed you can throw away.

Depending on your business you might even be able to start to trade from a temporary location (for example if you have a shop that also sells online and you have the stock  you may be able to find a small office that you can put a computer and the stock into so that you can continue to sell online.  It would be worth asking both your insurance company and your local authority about this, and even talking to other local traders.

Finally, it may seem heart-breaking when your business floods, but with good preparation and swift action when flood warnings are given (you can sign up for flood warnings at FloodLine ) you can hopefully minimise the damage caused and be trading much quicker than you might otherwise have been