{"id":1055,"date":"2026-01-08T11:06:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T11:06:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/articles\/severe-weather-business-preparation\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T16:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T16:46:14","slug":"severe-weather-business-preparation","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/sme-insurance\/severe-weather-business-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to protect your business premises from Storm Goretti"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Storm Goretti on the horizon, business owners everywhere may need to take precautions their businesses premises. Whether it\u2019s snow, heavy rain, or strong winds, stormy conditions can cause problems for your business and damage your premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s our guide on how to prepare and do as much as you can to limit this damage, plus what to do when severe weather hits. We\u2019ve broken it down by the type of weather:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#heavy-rain\">Preparing for heavy rain<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#floods\">Preparing for floods<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#high-winds\">Preparing for high winds<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#preparing-for-snow\">Preparing for snow<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#frozen-pipes\">Solving frozen pipes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"preparingyourbusinesspremisesforastorm\">Preparing your business premises for a storm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you run your business from an office, a storefront, or your own home, there are measures you can take to prepare for severe weather this winter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" id=\"heavy-rain\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"heavy-rain\">Preparing for heavy rain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can protect your customers by buying a slipmat to put in the doorway, helping to prevent slips and falls. It\u2019s best to keep the floor dry and clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other preparations involve checking your property to make sure it can withstand heavy rainfall. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">checking guttering for any loose connections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">making sure the guttering is free from leaves or moss (ask a local tradesperson to take a look if you\u2019re unsure \u2013 only ever check this if it\u2019s safe to do so)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">checking the sealant around doors and windows for any cracks, as water can seep through these gaps and into the property (again, only check if it\u2019s safe to do so)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">making sure that there aren\u2019t any obvious holes or gaps in the brickwork<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Heavy rain can lead to flooding. If you\u2019re in an area of the country that\u2019s liable to flood, make sure you have sandbags available in case the forecast changes to localised flooding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sandbags are one type of flood defence product. You could also buy air bricks and pumps, which are widely available and could help keep your premises safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can check whether the area you live in is at risk on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.property-care.org\/homeowners\/flood-protection\/flood-protection-and-your-property\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Property Care Association\u2019s<\/a> website.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" id=\"floods\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"floods\">Preparing for floods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If heavy rain can sometimes cause flooding in your area, then make sure that your equipment, stock, and everything else in your premises is protected from damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take valuable items from the floor and move them upstairs, if you can, and move your stock from the floor to higher ground too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Place sandbags and other flood defences outside on any opening to the property, from doorways to conservatories. Stack the sandbags one on top of the other (but usually no more than three layers in height, which is around 30 cm tall).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As mentioned above, check the sealant around doors and windows if it\u2019s safe to do so, as water can seep through any gaps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-001\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" id=\"high-winds\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"high-winds\">Preparing for high winds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If it\u2019s safe for you to do so, do a visual inspection of the premises. It\u2019s worth checking that your doors, windows, guttering, and roof are all in good working order (or asking your landlord to do so if you rent your business premises).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you notice anything, get in touch with a local tradesperson. It can be handy to do periodical checks to give you enough time to sort any problems out, as you won\u2019t always get much warning that severe weather is about to hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you keep anything outside, such as tables and chairs, signs, or awnings, or stock in a shed for a home business, think about bringing these inside or securing them in place if there\u2019s a storm warning in your area. This also helps prevent any injuries caused by loose items falling and moving around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You could also buy some draught excluders to insulate the property and prevent doors and windows from rattling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fences and loose items outside often aren\u2019t covered as part of an insurance policy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" id=\"preparing-for-snow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"preparing-for-snow\">Preparing for snow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A visual inspection of the premises (if it\u2019s safe for you to do so) should highlight loose guttering or damage to the roof. When snow hits, the weight of it could cause existing problems to get worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The roof should be surveyed before cold weather arrives to make sure it\u2019s ready and to identify any problems. It could be a good idea to arrange this if you own your premises, or speak to your landlord if you rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Snow and ice can be extremely hazardous for both you and your customers. Gritting pathways and car parks with rock salt before snowfall is often effective at keeping them clear and avoiding slips and falls. If you rent your business premises, find out whether this is your landlord\u2019s responsibility or yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when pathways are already snowy or icy, rock salt can make them easier to grip and walk on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Again, you may need to speak to your landlord, but pipes should be insulated and your boiler should be serviced to make sure they can withstand the freezing weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, make sure you know where the stopcock is, in case you need to turn the water supply off.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" id=\"frozen-pipes\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"frozen-pipes\">Solving frozen pipes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your boiler isn\u2019t working and there\u2019s been frost, check the condensate pipe outside. This is a pipe that\u2019s close to the boiler and takes condensation from the boiler to a drain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the pipe is frozen try pouring hot water over the pipe. If you\u2019d like to see a demonstration, there are how-to guides on YouTube that you can watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-azure-300-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-69910985 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:10px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--90);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--90)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-worrying-risk-for-property-and-business-owners\">&#8216;A worrying risk for property and business owners&#8217;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mark Sharman, Claims Operations Lead at Simply Business, says: \u201cStorms can pose a worrying risk for property and business owners and January often sees the most widespread effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;According to our data, <strong>January accounted for 24% of storm related claims in 2025<\/strong>. With Storm Goretti expecting to bring strong winds and snowfall this week, we encourage business owners and landlords to take the necessary precautions to protect their property from damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;If your property or business is affected by extreme weather conditions, your landlord or business buildings insurance may help to cover the cost of repair work that needs to be done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Make sure to take photographs of the damage and contact your insurer as soon as you can \u2013 and before you book any work, as they may have a preferred contractor. If you rent your business premises, you should contact your landlord and let them know the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stepstotakeifyourbusinesspremisesarehitbyastorm\">Steps to take if your business premises are hit by a storm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are a number of measures you can take to minimise damage, but your first priority is keeping yourself and your staff (if you have them) safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">you should make sure you have plans in place for your staff, knowing when you should send them home (or ask them to stay at home)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">keep away from flood water, which can be deceptively powerful, and avoid any contact with water or electricity during lightning. If you have staff, send them home in advance where possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">if there\u2019s a flood warning, you should fit your flood equipment as soon as you can, and if there&#8217;s any kind of storm, make sure you turn off your water, gas, and electricity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">if possible, move any equipment or stock you have onto the upper floors of your premises<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">make sure snow is cleared away from pathways and areas where your customers might walk, and lay salt on the floor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contactingyourinsurerandmakingrepairs\">Contacting your insurer and making repairs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only return to your business premises when it&#8217;s safe to do so. Make sure you take pictures of all the damage to help support your claim. It\u2019s best to get in touch with your insurer as soon as possible to let them know you\u2019ve been hit by a storm, as a delay could affect your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your property has been damaged and you\u2019re the owner, your business buildings insurance can cover the cost of the work that needs to be done. Otherwise, you should contact your landlord and let them know the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more tips and information on how to make a claim, visit our <a href=\"\/resources\/preparing-for-winter-weather\/\">winter weather resource<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Have you been affected by a storm? If you&#8217;re a Simply Business customer and need to speak to Sedgwick, you can call 24\/7 on 0333 207 0560.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-azure-200-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94e519ba wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"readytosetupyourcover\">Ready to set up your cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">As one of the UK&#8217;s biggest <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5152\">business insurance<\/a> providers, we specialise in <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/public-liability-insurance\/\">public liability insurance<\/a> and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/quote.simplybusiness.co.uk\/business\">Start your quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-end\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether it\u2019s snow, strong winds, or heavy rain, severe weather can cause problems for your business. Here\u2019s how to prepare and prevent the worst damage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":45387,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_reviewed_by":"","sb_review_date":"","sb_enable_content_gating":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[110,337],"hidden-category":[],"coauthors":[24],"class_list":["post-1055","knowledge","type-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-news","category-sme-insurance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Steps to take if severe weather hits your business premises<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Whether it\u2019s snow, strong winds, or heavy rain, severe weather can cause problems for your business. Here\u2019s how to prepare and prevent the worst damage.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/sme-insurance\/severe-weather-business-preparation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to protect your business premises from Storm Goretti\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s common for the UK to experience severe weather, especially during the colder months.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/sme-insurance\/severe-weather-business-preparation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Simply Business UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-08T16:46:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/severe-weather-business-preparation.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@simplybusiness\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"Rosanna Parrish\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/sme-insurance\/severe-weather-business-preparation\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/sme-insurance\/severe-weather-business-preparation\/\"},\"author\":{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Rosanna Parrish\",\"description\":\"Rosanna Parrish is a Copywriter at Simply Business specialising in side hustles \u2013 as well as all things freelance, social media, and ecommerce. 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