Regardless of the type of precipitation you normally (or normally don’t) receive in your area, all can wreak havoc on your organization. In 2017 alone there were 16 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each. As such, resilience professionals are looking toward the sky as they make crucial contingency planning decisions within their walls. Many are also turning to BOLDplanning for expert guidance and leading-edge, cloud-based planning software to improve their organization’s readiness for the following weather hazards.
Rain and the Potential for Flooding
Copious rainfall can lead to flooding (riverine, overbank and flash), posing significant risk to roadways, structures and most concerning, people. There were 234 flood-related fatalities reported from January 15, 2015 through June 25, 2016. The latest stats from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) show that there were ten deaths recorded in 2017 due to flooding, and 20 due to flash flooding. As for businesses, flooding poses numerous risks to employee safety, facilities and daily operations.
- Flooding can lead to road closures, making it difficult (or even impossible) for people to get to work, much less return to their homes.
- High water can fill basements and lower levels of buildings where important documents and equipment may be stored.