Severe weather is one of the major causes of greenhouse damage. Making preparations to mitigate that damage ahead of time can help you reduce your losses and speed up your recovery time.
Greenhouse property loss mitigation is an important part of what Hortica does. They can help by:
- Providing information up front as you develop your disaster preparedness program, and sending regular reminders of this important information
- Advising you when potential loss is imminent, such as heavy snow or high winds
- Working with you after a loss to control or limit the extent of your direct and indirect losses, including assistance in finding temporary repairs, heat, and replacement product
Dealing with damage risks
Pre-loss and post-loss mitigation is your responsibility as a business owner. Here are some steps you can take now to reduce the risk of damage:
- Build your greenhouse to meet local building codes.
- Check your building connections and structural members, and remember to secure loose components.
- Make sure glazing is properly installed. Keep additional inventory on hand for emergency covering.
- Develop an emergency contact list (FEMA, insurance company, greenhouse supplier, and construction contractor) and keep numbers and emails current.
- Make a disaster recovery plan for key electronic and hard copy documentation.
- Determine capacity, phase, portability, and number of generators you’ll need.
- Confirm access to items like first aid supplies, weather radios, plumbing supplies, portable lights, batteries, lumber, nails, tarps, and ropes.
- Conduct an annual or semi-annual review of your insurance policy, and know the limits of your insurance coverage. Plan for areas not covered such as flood insurance, changes or improvements. That includes new structures, computers, automated equipment, etc., and interruption coverage.
- Develop pre- and post-storm responsibilities (insurance communication/management, crop mitigation, greenhouse mitigation, and portable water) and identify who should take ownership of these responsibilities.