Tornado & Storm Safety In Your Flower Shop

As tornado season is barely here yet, we’ve already seen some very powerful storms. Flower Shop Network wants all florists (and, well, everyone) to make sure they are ready in the event of a tornado. This post is all about developing your tornado plan, so that if it happens, you know what to do, where to be, and what to expect.

Before A Tornado

• Radio + Batteries – If you’re in an area where tornado are common, be sure you’ve got a good weather radio with extra batteries somewhere in your shop.

• Know the terminology – A tornado WATCH is issued when weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes, for example, during a severe thunderstorm — be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen. A tornado WARNING is issued when a tornado funnel is sighted or indicated by weather radar — You should take shelter immediately!

• Know the plan – have a plan and know all the safest places in your shop. Safe locations include: a basement or inside room on the lowest floor, such as a closet or hallway. Make sure ALL employees know the location of these safe areas.

Make sure your safe area avoids all: windows, glass doors (coolers), or other dangerous locations in the event of strong winds or hail.

• Room For All – Make sure the safe area in your building has room for all your employees and more. (You may have customers or suppliers in your store during a tornado.)

• Be Ready For Anything – Make an emergency kit for your store, including: flashlights, candles, the radio and extra batteries, and a first aid kit.

• Consider Customers – Have an emergency plan for dealing with customers in the event of a dangerous storm. Make sure your employees know exactly how to handle customers in this situation. It may be a good idea to label your safe locations.

• Potential Hazards – Evaluate your store for potential dangers. You may want to move vases from an upper shelf to a lower one. Secure wall decorations and anything else that may cause harm during a dangerous storm.

• Outside Hazards – Identify any hazards outdoors. Secure any unstable items that may be outside your store, decorations, furniture, buckets, etc. Clear any potentially dangerous trees or branches that could fall, causing injury or damage.

• Take Inventory – Develop and maintain a list of your major inventory.

• Back It Up – Keep regular backups of all tax, accounting, payroll, customer and vender data offsite. Make a schedule to do this regularly.

• Keep it Running – Create a document explaining how to keep the business running if you are out for any reasons.

During A Tornado

• Radio – Listen to the radio as soon as the weather turns ugly.

• Warning – If a tornado WARNING is issued, have your personnel and customers go to your safe areas immediately. Make sure to stay clear or windows and glass.

• Safe Position – Instruct everyone in the safe area to sit facing the wall with their heads between their knees.

• Releasing Pressure – If possible, keep exterior doors closed and open interior doors to minimize pressure.

• Turn Off Utilities – If there is time, turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve.

After A Tornado

• Safe! – Only return to working once you’ve double checked everything and declared the area safe.

• 911 – If there are injuries, call 911 or your local emergency medical services.

• Survey – Take a survey of the outside and inside of your shop for structural damage, downed power lines or gas lines or other hazards.

• Caution – Use extreme caution when moving through your building after a tornado, as debris presents further hazards.

• Photos – Take photographs of all damage for insurance or emergency assistance purposes.

• Report – Contact your insurance agent to report any losses and get advice on your next steps.

• Clean Up Safely – Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves and gloves when cleaning up after damages.

These are just a few tips to keep you safe during severe storms at your flower shop. What other actions have you taken to keep your employees and customers safe? Let us know in the comments below!

The state of Missouri has some very great videos on tornado preparation on their website. Although they are not specifically to businesses, there is a wealth of great information that can be applied to any severe storm situation.