Protect School Property from Spring Storms

Spring storms can bring heavy winds, hail, tornados, and flooding that damage school property and lead to unbudgeted repair or replacement costs. You might even have to relocate students until facilities are up and running.

Follow these tips to protect your schools during spring storm season.

Common Risks

• Roofs, vehicles, outdoor equipment, and exterior doors and windows damaged by hail or fallen trees
• Flooded facilities
• Power and business interruptions
• Infestation of animals seeking shelter
• Power surges and fires caused by lightning strikes

Preventative Measures

You should develop preventative measures for specific hazards in your region, but here are general action items to consider:

Shore Up Your Emergency Operations Plan (EOP)

Your state-mandated EOP should include a severe-weather annex that documents your preparation and response strategies. Develop protective measures for every campus and auxiliary building, including administration, maintenance, and transportation.

Monitor the Weather

Sign up for weather alerts and follow credible sources such as the National Weather Service to ensure storms don’t catch you by surprise.

Maintain Roofs

Texas consistently leads the country in hail, and roofs are top targets. You can go a long way toward protecting your investments by choosing climate-appropriate roofing material. Like buses, boilers, and other property, roofs need care. Extend their lifecycles by committing to a comprehensive preventative maintenance plan that includes regularly scheduled inspections.

Related resource: Fund members with Property coverage can customize this roof preventative maintenance plan to meet their needs.

Practice Good Housekeeping

• Trim or remove dead or dangling tree branches that could break and damage building exteriors.
• Make sure windows are properly sealed and ready to keep water out.
• Remove outdoor debris that could become airborne during heavy winds.
• Put outdoor athletic equipment inside to prevent it from being blown away or damaged.
• Similarly, make sure doors are sealed at the base to prevent water from flowing inside.

Related: Learn how hail guards reduce the risk of costly damage to HVAC systems.

Brace for Flooding

Floods are the most common weather-related disaster, according to the World Health Organization. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Prediction Center notes 75% of flash flood reports in the U.S. happen between late April and mid‑September. Follow these tips to protect people, property, and vehicles before, during, and after a flood.

Respond to Hail Notifications

The Fund receives hail notifications when potentially damaging hail falls at one of their locations. TASB claims staff notifies impacted members and provides guidance on how to proceed. Responding to hail notifications is an important responsibility of Fund membership, and late responses could impact coverage. A quick response also helps you identify potential damage and control its impact.

Benefits of Fund Membership

Spring storms are unpredictable, but the damage they cause doesn’t have to be. Taking steps now to prepare your facilities, vehicles, and staff can help reduce disruption, protect budgets, and keep students and employees safe when severe weather strikes. Fund members can contact their regionally based TASB risk solutions consultant for support and guidance in preparing for risks, including spring storms, at no additional cost.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in May 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.