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Floods

Stemming from various weather events, flooding can occur in almost any area with minimal notice.

Understand the locations most at risk and how you can protect your property before and after floodwaters hit

Flood events can emanate from a variety of sources, including severe weather, tropical windstorm, and stalled or prolonged weather fronts. Facilities located nearby or within low elevation of flooding sources, such as rivers, creeks and basins, may disrupt key infrastructure and business interruption potential. The following tips and actions may be helpful to consider before, during and after a flood strikes.

  • Prepare or locate and maintain a scaled plan or diagram of the facility that clearly shows the location of fire protection and emergency equipment 
  • Obtain and review applicable flood maps for each location and evaluate flood susceptibility of each building 
  • Obtain multiple suppliers for critical building components, equipment and stock necessary to resume operations/business 
  • Understand your energy needs and make arrangements for backup utilities and fuel sources where possible; consider emergency generators, alternative fuels and the like
  • Identify alternative means of transportation and alternative routes for all critical personnel, services, suppliers and contractors 
  • Establish relationships with lease and rental companies

  • Assemble the Plant Emergency Organization, supplies and equipment at a designated safe location onsite (e.g. emergency lighting, generators, portable pumps and hoses, sandbags, fans, dehumidifiers, etc.)
  • Establish emergency communication methods 
  • Monitor weather and flood reports through the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
  • Release non-essential staff or direct them to a designated safe location 
  • Shut off all flammable and combustible liquid piping and gas lines at the source or entry into the property to reduce the likelihood of release if pipes are broken 
  • Turn off non-essential lighting, machinery and equipment. Anticipate power outages and surges; be prepared to shut down susceptible systems such as computers; de-energize equipment which may become submerged
  • Back up important computer data and records and store backups in a safe, elevated location not subject to flooding

Buildings and Structures

  • Close and secure any flood doors, gates, shields or other flood barriers; close any valves in building drains or plumbing to prevent back up into the buildings 
  • Place sandbags at lower building openings such as doors and other openings susceptible to flooding, and around important outdoor equipment, to divert floodwaters 
  • Fill aboveground and underground tanks with product or water to improve stability and minimize damage from flooding waters; check tanks for proper anchorage and extend vent lines above level of expected flooding 
  • Anchor and secure all portable containers of flammable or combustible liquids 
  • Anchor and tie down all small structures, equipment, and storage in the yard, trailers, conveyors, lumber, process equipment, etc., to prevent movement by floodwaters 
  • Brace unsupported structural members and foundations for structures/buildings under construction 
  • Secure electrical power to buildings in imminent danger of flooding

Emergency Equipment

  • Ensure emergency generators, water and sump pumps, etc., are operational and fuel tanks are full 
  • Clean all catch basins, drains and drainage ditches 
  • Lower the levels of retention ponds; ensure all sump pumps are operational and connected to emergency power
  • Inspect all fire protection equipment and leave in service. All fire protection equipment should be adequately anchored and protected from flooding and floating debris

  • Review the structural integrity of each building and structure foundation including physical damage, etc. 
  • Check any flood doors, gates, shields or barriers for proper operation and water tightness including latches and hardware; where possible, brick up lower building openings susceptible to flooding 
  • Evaluate the need for floodwalls, levees or dikes 
  • Have plywood and sandbags available to barricade floodwaters 
  • Make arrangements for several forms of emergency communications, including cellular phones, two-way radios, ham radio operators, etc.

Plant Management/Emergency Team Recovery Operations

  • The site should be secured and a Command Center should be established to direct the recovery operation 
  • Survey for safety hazards e.g. downed electrical wires, leaking gas or flammable liquids, poisonous gasses, etc.; look for undermining & damage to foundations or underground piping, etc.; notify appropriate utility companies of damage as soon as possible; use care around downed power lines & leaking fuel lines; consider providing barriers or watches 
  • Begin salvage as soon as possible to prevent further damage

Items to Consider

  • Fill eroded land areas, especially around building & structure foundations; remove standing water in buildings, yard areas, etc. 
  • Clean and dry equipment with most critical objects receiving priority 
  • Clean roof drains, storm drains, retention ponds, etc. and remove any debris 
  • Inspect all electrical equipment including exposed insulators, bus bars, conductors, and motors before reenergizing electrical distribution systems and equipment 
  • Contents of tanks, piping, reservoirs, boilers, process equipment, cooling towers and the like should be tested for contamination before use 
  • Mechanical equipment should be dried and cleaned and casings inspected; shafts should be checked for alignment and lubricating systems flushed

Downloadable Materials

Download PDF [120.2 kb]

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flood-tip-sheet.pdf
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Flood Tip Sheet Checklist
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