The Risks of Severe Thunderstorms

The Risks of Severe Thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms can cause injuries, infrastructure damage and significant financial losses for businesses and their commercial properties. Often accompanied by hail, flooding, strong winds, lightning and abrupt temperature shifts, they are among the costliest types of natural disasters, according to industry research.

To reduce potential losses and improve safety, employers should understand the risks of severe thunderstorms and take appropriate action to address them.

Severe Thunderstorms and Their Impacts

Thunderstorms form when heat and moisture are transported vertically in the atmosphere. These storms can result in powerful winds, large hail, heavy rainfall and occasional tornadoes.

The damaging forces of severe thunderstorms can impact businesses by causing:

  • Employee or third-party injuries or fatalities due to unsafe conditions
  • Extensive property damage to buildings, furnishings, inventory, automobiles, equipment and other structures
  • Business interruptions, extra expenses and lost income from closures or temporary relocations
  • Increased insurance costs, as more claims may result in higher premiums

Actions Businesses Should Consider

Employers can incorporate the following strategies to improve safety and reduce severe convective storm risks:

  • Assess the risks by taking note of their location’s weather patterns and considering how the associated conditions threaten safety and business property.
  • Monitor weather forecasts to know when severe weather is on the way. This information can provide guidance on early closure decisions and adequate preparations.
  • Prepare the property to better withstand a thunderstorm’s forces by installing window shutters, covering outside property with tarps, and securing them. Emergency supplies and first-aid kits should also be on hand if employees or others on the premises need to seek shelter while onsite.
  • Communicate with employees and clients following severe weather. Power outages may occur, and cell phones may not be reliable during natural disasters, so devices that do not utilize those systems (e.g., walkie-talkies) may be required. Notify employees when it is safe to return to work after a storm.
  • Learn from past experiences to identify aspects of operations that may be exposed and strengthen risk management planning.
  • Review insurance policies to ensure coverage adequately addresses the risks of severe thunderstorms.

Contact us today for risk mitigation guidance and robust insurance solutions.