At a glance: A small business storm plan includes a short checklist to help protect people, premises, and trading during severe weather.
Within 48 hours of a named storm, check official Met Office weather and flood alerts, secure your site, raise stock and electrics off the floor, back up data, and confirm staff communications. If you do suffer damage or must close, photograph everything before clean-up and review your business interruption cover for lost income and extra costs.
The first named storm of the season is bringing wet and windy weather to parts of the UK, according to the Met Office. Forecasters say Storm Austen could cause gusts of 60mph and small business owners everywhere could use this time to take precautions and prepare.
There’s a yellow warning for wind issued for southern England and Wales on Friday 23 October and an amber wind warning for parts of Devon and Cornwall. Scotland is also expected to see heavy rain.
From snow, heavy rain, or strong winds, stormy conditions can cause problems for your business and damage your stock or premises. Here’s our guide on how to prepare and do as much as you can to limit this damage, plus what to do when severe weather hits.
How can storms disrupt a small business?
Storms can cause disruption and physical damage to businesses of any size, including flooding, power cuts, issues with supply, or denied access to your premises.
Whether you run your business from an office, a storefront, or your own home, there are measures you can take to prepare for severe weather.
What is a small business storm plan?
A small business storm plan is a short checklist of actions to reduce injury risk and downtime from severe weather. It typically covers roles and contacts, site safety (for example flood/roof checks), data/equipment protection, communication, and recovery steps.
Keep reading for your storm plan checklist.
Preparing your business premises for a storm
If heavy rain or flooding is likely in your area, then it’s a good idea to:
- buy a slipmat for the doorway of your premises, helping to prevent slips and falls during wet weather
- keep up with general maintenance of your premises, making sure brickwork is in good condition and sealant around doors and windows isn’t showing signs of wear
- store sandbags in case of flood warnings – these are a flood defence you can put outside your property in doorways and other openings (these can be stacked to about 30cm in height)
If high winds are forecast, make sure outdoor items are secured or brought inside. For example tables, chairs, signs, awnings.
Snow and ice can be extremely hazardous for both you and your customers. Gritting pathways and car parks with rock salt before snowfall is often effective at keeping them clear and avoiding slips and falls. If you rent your business premises, find out whether this is your landlord’s responsibility or yours. Even when pathways are already snowy or icy, rock salt can make them easier to grip and walk on.
Storm-readiness checklist – prepare your business premises
There are a number of measures you can take to minimise damage, but your first priority is keeping yourself and your staff safe.
48 hours before
- Check Met Office and Environment Agency alerts for your postcode.
- Inspect your premises, secure loose signage, clear drains/gutters, identify leaks.
- Move stock and electrics at least 15cm off floors.
- Photograph current condition of premises/equipment.
- Test remote access to email, files, and tills and ordering systems if you can.
- Confirm key staff contacts and create a comms channel, making sure you have a plan for when you need to send staff home.
- Back up data, charge power banks, locate shut-off valves and torches.
During the storm
- Prioritise safety, don’t travel to the site if there are red warnings or flooding.
- Use your comms channel to confirm staff welfare and business status.
- If safe and essential, isolate power and water as needed (only if safe to do so and essential).
After the storm
Log incidents, keep receipts, and contact your insurer/broker with evidence as soon as possible.
- Only return when it’s safe to do so, and check for structural hazards before entering.
- Photograph damage before clean-up to help support a claim.
- Protect undamaged stock, ventilate and dry areas to reduce mould.
Check your cover
Looking for business interruption cover? Compare quotes from leading insurers with Simply Business. Get a business interruption insurance quote.
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FAQs – updated for autumn/winter 2026
What is a UK weather warning?
A UK weather warning is an alert from the Met Office (yellow, amber, or red) about the likelihood and impact of severe weather, helping the public and businesses prepare.
How can storms cause business interruption?
Storms can cause physical damage, flooding, power cuts, denial of access, supply delays, and staff travel disruption – any of which can halt or reduce trading.
What should I document after a storm?
Photograph damage before clean-up, list lost or damaged stock and equipment, keep receipts for emergency works, and log times, warnings, and closures.
Who should I follow for live updates?
The Met Office (weather warnings), Environment Agency (flood warnings), local council resilience pages, and relevant travel operators. You can check whether the area you live in is at risk on the Property Care Association’s website.
Key takeaways – storm preparation
- create a storm plan for your small business so you know what to do if a storm warning is in place for your area
- establish a clear communication channel to share updates with any staff and keep everyone informed
- follow the Met Office and Environment Agency for weather and flood warnings so you can take action to minimise any damage
- check your cover and make a claim as soon as possible if your business is affected
Have you been affected by a storm?
If you’re a Simply Business customer and need to speak to our claims handler Sedgwick, you can call 24/7 on 0333 207 0560. Or visit our claims page for more information on what to do next.
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