Ready for Peak Tornado and Hail Storm Season?

Spring is here, and so is tornado and hail storm season. Businesses should prepare for a potentially substantial 2017 storm season. Amerisure has some storm statistics and prep tips to help keep your employees and property protected.

Tornadoes
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there were close to 367 tornadoes from January to March 2017. Compare that to the 205 tornadoes in the same period in 2016. In total, there were 1,177 tornadoes in 2015 and 971 in 2016.
Businesses located in the Midwest Tornado Alley states and Florida tend to get hit the hardest. A look at the top ten states that endured the most tornadoes in 2016 definitely fit that description:  

Top Ten States with the Most Tornadoes, 2016
 

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center

Hail Storms
While most of us only have to contend with pebble-sized hail, Vivian, South Dakota had the largest recorded hailstone in the U.S. It was 8 inches in diameter, almost as big as a volleyball, and fell on July 23, 2010. Hail causes almost $1 billion in damage to crops and property each year. A Kansas City hailstorm on April 10, 2001 was the costliest ever in the U.S., causing about $2 billion damage.
When you take a look at loss claims connected to hail storms, most of the same states from the top ten tornado list appear on this top ten list as well:

Top Ten States with the Largest Combined Total of Hail Loss Claims 2013-2015

Source: NICB

Tips to Reduce Injuries and Property Damage from Hail/Tornadoes
The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country and a high number of hails storms each year. To help reduce potential losses from severe weather, Amerisure shares these valuable tips:

1.Plan Ahead

• Display signs in public buildings so employees know where to go to be safe during a severe storm.
• Remember those tornado drills back in school? Holding these at work can help employees be prepared if a severe storm is heading your way. Let them know the safest areas to meet if there’s a tornado warning.
• Determine a “weather warden,” usually a manager or supervisor, who will help manage employees and logistics during a tornado or other severe weather.

2.Protect Equipment

• Stop equipment and outbuildings from becoming airborne by securing them if a major storm or tornado is coming.
• Make sure servers and other important equipment is in a protected, hopefully tornado-resistant room.

3. Get Prepared
   Before or once an incident occurs, the single most important factor in minimizing losses is being prepared. While events like severe weather can’t be prevented, their impact on your facility or workforce can be minimized. Have a continuity and disaster recovery plan ready to explain how:  
   • Employees will receive communication and be informed where they’ll potentially work
   • Vital business operations will continue until building repairs can be made
   • Technology and data will be reestablished
   • Logistics will continue
4. Watch the Weather
   In this age of real time information, tracking the weather is easier than ever. When severe weather is forecasted, your business – and especially your weather warden – should monitor conditions. This enables everyone to get as much advanced notice as possible if a tornado is heading your way. Most newer cellphones have automatic Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) from the NOAA that text out regional warnings if severe weather is coming. You should also watch the local weather broadcasts for specific details.  

Act Fast
We know, it’s not unusual for areas to get tornado watches and warnings and then nothing happens. This can make us complacent and could put employees and businesses in peril. Take every severe weather warning seriously and act fast to ensure the safety of people and property.

Additional Resources
Tornado Infographic
Hail Infographic