Getting a small shop ready for a nor'easter in Hampton Roads
Most flood damage to a small business in Virginia Beach, Norfolk or Chesapeake does not come from a hurricane. It comes from an ordinary fall nor'easter that parks over the coast for two days while the tide stays high. Low streets fill, storm drains back up, and water finds the lowest door.
Walk the building before the forecast, not after
Check where water pools outside, and whether downspouts empty at least a few feet from the foundation. Clear leaves from drains and gutters. If you have a floor drain or a sump pump, pour in some water and make sure it actually moves.
Move what water can ruin
Anything stored on the floor in a back room should go up on shelves or pallets. Paper records, inventory in cardboard and electronics are the usual losses. Keep a short list of what is where, so you can find it fast if you need to move it in a hurry.
Know where your shutoffs are
Everyone who opens or closes the shop should know where the main water shutoff and the electrical panel are. If you rent, ask your landlord now, not during the storm.
When to call a professional
Call a licensed plumber if a drain backs up more than once, if water comes up through a floor drain or a toilet, or if you smell sewage. Do not run equipment through standing water.
General information, not advice about your specific building.