What to do After a Winter Weather Event

• Safety first! Shovel after each snowfall. Take breaks to avoid overexertion.
• Shovel or use a snowblower to clear the parking lot and sidewalks surrounding the building free of snow and ice.
• Keep ice melt/salt on the ground to prevent slips and falls.
• Place non-slip mats in front of entryways to prevent slipping as employees and customers enter/exit your property.

• Monitor your roof’s snow load to ensure it does not exceed its maximum capacity (determined by a structural engineer).
• When assessing the accumulation on the roof visually or by measuring the snow and ice equivalent keep in mind the type of snow is as important as the depth of snow.
  • There are several factors that can add to the load on a roof, including snow drifts from adjacent buildings, mechanical equipment, heavy rain on snow, and melting snow that re-freezes.
  • Fresh powder snow is typically lighter than wet packed snow, and ice is heavier than snow.
    • 12 inches of fresh/fluffy snow equals 5 lbs./sq. ft.
    • 5 inches of packed/old snow equals 5 lbs./sq. ft.
    • 1 inch of ice equals 5 lbs./sq. ft.
• Safely remove excessive snow and ice dams using your snow removal team.

Note: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper generator use.

• Portable Generator
  • Portable generators should be operated outside in a well-ventilated area.
  • Portable generators should never be left running unattended and should be checked periodically.
  • Portable generators should not be fueled while hot.
  • Do not let snow accumulate on top of a portable generator.
• Permanent Generator
  • Permanent generators are more self-sufficient than portable models but should also be monitored periodically while they are in operation.

• Inside
  • Watch for signs of snow load damage, such as creaking sounds, a sagging roof, cracks in the ceiling or walls, water stains and doors or windows that no longer open and close correctly.
  • Check for flowing water from faucets. If water isn’t flowing and you suspect frozen pipes.
    • Shut off the water supply.
    • Call a plumber to make repairs for any burst pipes.
• Outside
  • If a utility line is damaged or may become damaged, call the utility company.
  • Stay away from any downed power lines.
  • Assess downed trees or large limbs that may fall.
    • If it’s on your property, parking lot or entrance, call a tree care professional.
    • If it’s on a road or sidewalk, call your municipal public works department.
• Document damage
  • Create a list and take photos or videos to document any property losses.

• Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. Have information available, such as contact information, policy number, type and date of loss, and a description of the loss and your business inventory, if you have one. You should be assigned a claim number and adjuster who will work with you. 
• Keep all receipts and documentation for any services conducted. Consider creating an electronic file for this information in a cloud storage account so you can access it from anywhere.
• Mitigate further damage by hiring a reputable roofer to place a tarp over your damaged roof and/or a restoration service for water removal before mold becomes an issue.
• If it’s safe to do so and recommended by your insurer, remove property from the damaged area to a safe storage area.