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Winter StormsBusiness owners must be prepared well in advance for the wide variety of dangerous conditions that winter storms can bring.
Winter storms can cause circumstances harmful to businesses, including power outages, loss of heat and telephone services, strong damaging winds, fallen trees, flooding, icy roadways and freezing temperatures. All of these conditions can result in lost revenues, especially when facilities and infrastructure are damaged. Damage from western Virginia’s severe winter weather of 2003 resulted in more than $500,000 in loans to businesses by the Small Business Association.
Winter storms might also disrupt the distribution of fuels, particularly during extended periods of cold weather when the demand for heating increases. A weather-induced shortage could even affect backup power generation.
Occasionally more damaging than hurricanes, nor'easters have a deserved reputation as Virginia's worst winter storms. Nor'easters are the result of two pressure systems sitting just offshore over the Atlantic. The counterclockwise rotation of a low pressure system and the clockwise rotation of a high pressure system combine to bring wind and moisture to the East Coast from the Northeast, hence the name. The ferocity of the storm depends on how strong the two systems are. These storms can erode low-lying coastal areas with damaging surf, glaze the land with thick layers of ice or blanket wide swaths of the state under snow. Although nor'easters might form from November through April, they are often at their worst in January and February.
If your employees work outdoors, or if your business includes livestock or other animals that live outside, it is important to understand the concept of wind chill. Wind chill temperatures are often broadcast along with the actual temperatures.
The wind chill temperature indicates the effect of wind on the ambient temperature. Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature. Therefore, the wind makes it feel much colder. If the temperature is zero and the wind is blowing at 15 mph, the wind chill is 19 below zero. At this wind chill temperature, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes.
When severe winter weather threatens your area, it’s essential that you listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated information. Make sure you are familiar with the various winter-related watches and warnings.
Read about responding to winter storms.
