Winter does not hit Central Arkansas as often as it hits other parts of the country, and that is part of the problem. When a hard freeze, ice storm or heavy snow does arrive, many businesses discover they have no clear plan for what to do when pipes burst, power goes out or the building becomes unusable. A pre-loss emergency plan, put together before the cold sets in, can be the difference between a short interruption and a long closure.

Here is why planning ahead matters for businesses in Maumelle, Little Rock and the surrounding area, what to include in a plan, and a checklist to complete before winter.

What Winter Can Do to a Central Arkansas Business

Cold weather rarely causes just one problem. A single freeze can lead to water damage, power loss and structural issues that overlap and compound one another.

• Frozen and burst pipes: Water expands as it freezes, and pipes and sprinkler lines in unheated or poorly insulated areas can crack. When the ice thaws, water can pour into ceilings, floors and stock.
• Power outages: Heavy snow, ice and strain on the grid can lead to outages that shut down heat, lighting, refrigeration and computer systems.
• Roof and exterior damage: Ice, snow load and fallen limbs can damage roofing and let water into the building.
• Hidden moisture and mold: Water that stays in walls, ceilings or flooring can lead to mold, which can begin to grow within about 48 hours.
• Lost access and lost days: Icy roads can keep employees and customers away, and a damaged building can keep the doors closed even after the weather clears.

Central Arkansas Has Seen How Quickly This Can Happen

In February 2021, a historic winter storm brought heavy snow and extreme cold to Central Arkansas. Little Rock recorded about 20 inches of snow over the event, utilities carried out rolling outages to reduce strain on the grid, and reports of burst pipes in homes and businesses were widespread. Later hard freezes have also led to frozen pipes and sprinkler lines in commercial buildings.

Winter is only one of the risks businesses here face. Tornadoes, such as the March 2023 storm that tracked across Pulaski County, and heavy rain can also strike with little notice. That is why a plan should cover more than one type of event.

What Is a Pre-Loss Emergency Plan?

A pre-loss plan, sometimes called a business continuity plan, lays out the preventive and recovery steps your business will take before, during and after a disaster. It helps your team know exactly what to do, who to call and how to keep operating until your building, technology and equipment are fully restored. Planning ahead can help limit the severity of disruption, speed up the restoration process, minimize financial losses and avoid closing your doors permanently.

What to Include in Your Plan

• Know your risks. Identify the events most likely to affect your property, such as winter storms, tornadoes, heavy rain, flash flooding and fire.
• A response plan. Audit your security systems, identify vulnerabilities, assign roles and run drills so everyone knows what to do.
• A communication plan. Keep an updated list of emergency contacts, insurance information and procedures, and decide how employees will be updated by phone, email or social media.
• Data and document backups. Scan important records and store them offsite or in a cloud-based system.
• An evacuation plan. Map routes, keep exit signs lit and clearly marked, and designate safe outdoor meeting areas.
• An emergency kit. Prepare for days without power or water with a first aid kit, extra batteries, non-perishable food and bottled water.
• An insurance review. Each policy covers something different, so confirm what yours covers, what your deductibles are and whether it addresses water damage and business interruption.

A Pre-Winter Checklist for Business Owners and Facility Managers

• Locate and label your main water shutoff, and make sure more than one person knows where it is.
• Insulate exposed pipes and sprinkler lines in unheated areas, and seal drafts near them.
• Keep building heat on at a steady temperature, including over weekends and holidays.
• Clear gutters and drains, and inspect the roof for damage that could let in water.
• Have heating systems serviced before the cold arrives.
• Update your emergency contact list and confirm who has authority to make decisions if the building is closed.
• Choose your restoration contact before you need one.

How ServiceMaster by Diamond Quality Services Can Help

ServiceMaster Restore offers commercial pre-loss planning, including business continuity planning and educational seminars on disaster preparedness. It also offers a Priority Customer Agreement, which provides expedited emergency response for after-hours or area-wide emergencies, including immediate service to stabilize your property and mitigate further damage.

ServiceMaster by Diamond Quality Services is locally owned and operated in Maumelle, Arkansas, and has been in business since 1972. Our certified technicians serve businesses across the Little Rock area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can help with water damage, storm damage, fire, mold and more if a loss does occur.

Ready to plan ahead? Contact ServiceMaster by Diamond Quality Services to talk about pre-loss planning for your Central Arkansas business before winter arrives. Contact us Today!