While natural disasters cannot be avoided, their impact may be somewhat lessened if businesses are better prepared. Many companies may have disaster plans, but they fail to realize the underlying assumption is the electrical power and infrastructure will remain operational and not be impacted. Natural disasters can damage electrical distribution equipment in multiple ways (fire, vibration, water, etc.). In the U.S., flooding is the number one natural disaster. Since water and electricity do not mix, restoring power to water-damaged equipment can be a dangerous undertaking.
Businesses face increasing pressure to maximize profits and minimize downtime. Having a detailed emergency recovery plan can limit the financial and personal havoc that natural disasters, specifically flooding, can cause. A good starting point is to address the following key areas: