As record wind and rain from Hurricane Harvey pound the Texas gulf coast region, local business owners and property managers need a solid plan for dealing with the damage left behind.

In some cases, the magnitude is likely to be overwhelming, and without a thoughtful plan on what to do (and not do), companies and commercial properties risk incurring even greater damages.

"We haven't seen this type of storm strength come ashore here in over 55 years, and it hit land with a vengeance," said Peter Duncanson, director of operations and safety for ServiceMaster Restore, one of the largest disaster restoration companies in the nation and part of ServiceMaster Global Holdings (NYSE: SERV). "When the storm passes and the rain stops, the stability of buildings, utilities and safety will be a major concern for everyone.”

Duncanson has been with the business for more than 32 years, and is chairman of the board of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, which develops standards for the restoration industry. During this time, he has helped lead restoration efforts for more hurricanes and natural disasters than he can count, and has learned some important lessons – and reminders – to share with those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

While most people know to call their insurance company, here are some things to keep in mind before going onsite.

  1. Have site plans in hand: Review and be prepared to share site plans with your insurance company, local officials and your restoration company.
  2. Re-enter only when cleared: If your property has sustained structural damage, do not re-enter until authorities have advised you that it is safe to do so. Even then, be extremely cautious and be aware that the structural integrity could be compromised.
  3. Respect electricity: It’s important to note, any time water is above the level where outlets are, electrical circuitry is compromised. Always use extreme caution and assume that any downed or exposed wire is live. Avoid areas where there is standing water. Be careful around electronics or office equipment that may have come into contact with water or may have moved due to rising water.
  4. Use personal protective equipment at all times: Don’t allow anyone to compromise their personal safety or endanger others. Insist that everyone on your property wear necessary safety equipment, from proper footwear and vests to gloves, glasses, hardhats and more at all times.
  5. Secure your property. Allow authorized access only. Make sure you know who is onsite and that they present proper identification.
  6. Avoid touching contaminated items: Any item that has come in contact with flood water or storm surge is contaminated and should be considered hazardous, even after it dries. This water can contain all sorts of biological and chemical waste, including animal remains, fecal matter, petroleum products and more.
  7. Log all inventory and damage: Once it is safe to enter your facility, take photos of the damage, noting things like water lines on walls; cabinetry, walls and doorways that may be warped; equipment that is damaged, and the contents of your property.
  8. Leave it to the pros: When dealing with floodwater, storm surge, structural damage and other serious after-effects from Hurricane Harvey, rely on a trusted professional to help you get your business back in business. You will likely be approached by a variety of individuals who want to help. Protect yourself, your property and your livelihood and only work with professionals who are experienced, thoroughly trained in the services needed, and who are properly insured.

For immediate assistance and cleanup, call a live ServiceMaster Restore operator 24/7 at 1 800 RESPOND. To find a location, visit ServiceMasterRestore.com. For expert tips, visit YouTube or like us on Facebook.

About ServiceMaster Restore

With approximately 2,000 franchised and licensed locations around the world, ServiceMaster Restore and ServiceMaster Recovery Management (SRM) serve customers through a global network of franchises available 24/7/365 to provide residential and commercial restoration services resulting from damage caused by water, fire, smoke or mold. SRM is the large scale commercial catastrophic disaster restoration unit of ServiceMaster Restore. ServiceMaster Restore and SRM have operations and consulting experience on countless disasters, including clean-up after Hurricane Katrina and the Pentagon after September 11, 2001. ServiceMaster Restore is a business unit of Memphis-based ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. More information can be found at www.servicemasterrestore.com and http://www.srmcat.com/. ServiceMaster Restore is the Official Disaster Restoration Specialist of Minor League Baseball™.

About ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) solves the homeowner’s dilemma. Every day, we visit more than 75,000 homes and businesses through our extensive service network of expert professionals. Technology powers our trusted experts to engage with customers so they can order, buy and receive services when, where and how they want them. Our well-recognized brands includes American Home Shield (home warranties), AmeriSpec (home inspections), Furniture Medic (furniture repair), Merry Maids (residential cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (janitorial and residential floor cleaning), ServiceMaster Restore (disaster restoration) and Terminix (termite and pest control). Like, follow or visit us at facebook.com/ServiceMaster, linkedin.com/ServiceMaster, twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or servicemaster.com. ServiceMaster is the Official Home Services Provider of Minor League Baseball™.