As Ireland braces itself for a return to Storm season, home and business owners are being urged to prepare for possible power cuts and other disruptions as a result of heavy rainfall and strong winds forecasted for the next 36 – 48 hours.
The advice, from the team at Gallagher, comes after the extensive damage caused to properties and premises throughout the country earlier in the year.
Tips for Homes
Geraldine Kelly, Head of Personal Lines at Gallagher advised:
Top Ten Tips to Prevent Wind Damage
- Cut down – or top – large trees which are very close to your home. A fallen tree can cause huge damage to property. Check your windows and electricity cables to make sure that no lose branches are hanging nearby as these can cause a lot of damage during a storm.
- Alert ESB Networks to any trees in your area that are leaning on overhead electricity lines – or any broken or damaged branches hanging over or on electricity lines. Under no circumstances should you attempt to cut the trees or branches yourself. ESB Networks has tree cutting crews who will assess if the trees need to be cut down. Getting these problems addressed before a storm or bad weather hits could prevent the loss of power to your home.
- Make sure windows are firmly closed to reduce the likelihood of breaking glass.
- Anchor your trampoline so it doesn’t blow away in a storm – or even better, dismantle it until the good weather returns. A rogue trampoline could damage your property – or even your neighbour’s.
- Tie down, or store away, loose garden furniture as they can cause damage if they are caught in a storm of heavy wind. If you don’t have an indoor area to store garden furniture in, tying your outdoor furniture with sandbags is probably the easiest way to secure it during strong storms.
- Ensure that cars, motorbikes and garden furniture are stored in a safe place. Vehicles can be damaged by falling trees, heavy branches or lose roof tiles. If you don’t have a garage to store such items, remove them from areas where they may get damaged.
- Have an emergency kit in your home and a fully charged mobile phone. It’s advisable that your emergency kit includes emergency contacts, batteries, a torch, waterproof clothes, bottled water and food.
- Check your flat roof for any wear and tear or damage – and address any issues before bad weather hits. The repair bill for damage caused by a collapsed flat roof could run into tens of thousands of euro.
- Inspect your roof for loose tiles or damaged chimney pots, and get any problems repaired. Make sure your aerial and chimney is secure.
- Make sure that fences are securely in place so that they are not blown away during a storm – fences can cause significant damage if they fly into homes or sheds.
Top Ten Tips to Prevent Flood Damage
- Check all your gutters and drains are clean and clear of any leaves or other debris – as this could cause blockages and lead to flooding.
- If you live in a flood-prone area, invest in flood barriers and have some sand bags to hand.
- Move valuables and other personal items to a safe area in your home (such as upstairs or high above ground level) if you’re expecting floods in your area.
- Don’t park your car in an area where is could be susceptible to flood damage.
- Ensure you know where water, gas and electricity mains are, should you need to turn them off or on at any stage.
- Check your external walls and windows to ensure they are adequately water resistant. There are various different products, sealants and varnishes available to waterproof any areas of concern.
- If you are carrying out any extension or building work on your house, ensure electrical sockets are placed above the height which could be reached by floodwater. In addition, it would be prudent to place air conditioning, heating or gas units on the first floor of your home or in the attic.
- If you live in a flood-prone area, always ensure that you have a stock of materials which are useful during a flood, such as plywood, plastic sheeting, sandbags (unfilled), sand, nails, a hammer, shovel, bricks, blocks of wood and a saw.
- Ensure that any streams, rivers or lakes on your property are able to flow freely. Check for blockages in any stream and ensure that the banks have not eroded.
- Check government websites, such as flooding.ie and floodinfo.ie, for advice.
Tips for Businesses
Laura Vickers CIP, Managing Director of Commercial Lines with Gallagher advised:
- Risk Assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities in your business operations, infrastructure, and supply chain.
- Insurance Coverage: Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage, including property insurance, business interruption insurance, and flood insurance if applicable. Review your policies with your insurance broker to understand what is covered and make any necessary adjustments.
- Emergency Plan: Develop a comprehensive emergency response plan that includes evacuation procedures, communication strategies, and roles and responsibilities for employees. Ensure all employees are familiar with the plan.
- Backup Systems: Backup systems for critical data and operations. This includes cloud storage for data, backup power generators, and alternative communication systems.
- Physical Protection: Reinforce your physical premises by installing storm shutters, securing outdoor equipment, and ensuring the building structure can withstand high winds and flooding.
- Employee Safety: Prioritize the safety of your employees by providing training on emergency procedures and ensuring they have access to necessary resources during a storm.
- Communication Plan: Establish a clear communication plan to keep employees, customers, and stakeholders informed before, during, and after the storm.