24/01/2005 - The Environment
Agency now has a comprehensive Online Flood
Preparation Guide for Businesses to help
small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs)
in the south west prepare for the serious
threat of flooding.
The online flood preparation guide is the
Environment Agency's first national advice
targeted specifically at businesses, in
response to the increasing frequency and
severity of flooding. It is available at
the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
There are approximately 19,500 businesses
at risk of flooding in the south west. It’s
a risk with potentially devastating financial
consequences for owners, employees and local
communities. Over 42 percent of businesses
affected by serious floods incur costs in
excess of £50,000, so it is vital
business owners and managers know if they
are at risk and make preparations before
a flood happens.
Businesses have very specific requirements
in flood planning, including ensuring safety
of staff and visitors, managing disrupted
services and trading, and maintaining high
standards of customer service. The Environment
Agency aims to provide businesses with the
highest quality information and advice to
help them prepare for flooding and take
action when flood warnings are issued. Key
steps are:
Find out if your business is at risk from
flooding
Check whether flood warnings are available
in your area
Plan to protect property and minimise financial
risks
Ensure the safety of all staff and visitors
An easy-to-use worksheet that helps businesses
write their own flood plan is a key feature
of the new online flood preparation guide.
Developing and implementing a flood plan
is the most important thing businesses can
do to limit financial loss, stress and speed
return to operations after a flood.
The flood preparation guide also includes
checklists, top tips and materials to download
and print for use in staff training on flood
safety, especially what to do during and
after an evacuation. It also includes information
on flood protection products, low-cost and
no-cost tips to protect property, flood
insurance and business recovery.
Chief executive of the Environment Agency,
Barbara Young, says, "Preparing for
a flood makes good business sense. Even
a relatively minor flood can result in business
disruption, staff problems, property damage
and, sometimes, hefty recovery costs. By
taking action to prepare for flooding, some
businesses can save 20-90% on the cost of
lost stock and moveable equipment, as well
as a lot of trouble and stress."
John Holbrow, chairman of environmental
policy at the Federation of Small Businesses,
adds, "Flooding is a growing issue
for small and medium-sized businesses in
England and Wales, and accessible information
on preparing for flooding is very important.
The new online flood preparation guide meets
the needs of SMEs, letting them know how
to find out if they are at risk from flooding
and what they can do about it."
The information guide is part of a wider
Environment Agency awareness and education
campaign encouraging businesses to be prepared
for flooding. It expands on general information
already available through the Environment
Agency's 24 hour Floodline 0845 988 1188,
which provides immediate practical advice
on flood risk and what to do before, during
and after a flood. Businesses are also urged
to find out if they are at risk of flooding
by checking the Environment Agency's new
online Flood Map and by finding out if flood
warnings are available in their area. Flood
warnings are crucial as they can enable
businesses to alert staff and put their
flood plan into action.
