Disaster Preparedness for Columbus, Ohio

Be Ready When Disaster Strikes

ServiceMaster offers comprehensive disaster preparedness services for homeowners and businesses by providing expert restoration after a disaster strikes and offering pre-loss planning programs to mitigate potential damages and expedite recovery.

Understanding Columbus's Disaster Risks

The Columbus area faces several natural disaster threats that residents and business owners should prepare for:

Tornadoes: Columbus experiences a higher tornado risk than both the Ohio and national average. These powerful storms can develop quickly with little warning, causing severe property damage and threatening lives throughout central Ohio.

Flooding: The Scioto and Olentangy Rivers pose significant flooding risks to Columbus. The historic 1913 flood remains one of Columbus's deadliest disasters, claiming 93 lives and destroying nearly 500 homes and businesses in the Franklinton area, where waters reached over 17 feet deep. While the Delaware Dam (completed in 1951) and Franklinton Floodwall (completed in 2004) now provide protection, flooding remains a concern during heavy rainfall events.

Severe Storms: Thunderstorms with damaging straight-line winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning occur regularly throughout the year. These storms can cause roof damage, broken windows, downed trees, and extended power outages across the metro area.

Winter Weather: Ice storms and heavy snowfall are common during Ohio winters, leading to frozen pipes, ice dams, roof collapses, hazardous travel conditions, and power outages that can last for days.

Extreme Heat: Columbus is experiencing increasing numbers of extremely hot days, with projections showing an average of 43 days per year over 92°F by 2050, up from just 7 days in 1990. Heat waves pose serious health risks and can strain infrastructure.

For Homeowners

Know Your Risks

Understand the specific disaster risks in the Columbus area, including tornadoes, flooding from the Scioto and Olentangy Rivers, severe thunderstorms, winter weather hazards, and increasing extreme heat events. Stay informed about your property's flood zone and proximity to waterways.

Home Maintenance Plan

Regularly inspect and maintain your home, focusing on vulnerabilities like the roof, windows, foundation, and drainage systems. Ensure gutters and downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Before winter, check pipes, insulation, and water heaters to prevent freeze damage. Trim trees near your home to reduce storm damage risk.

Disaster Kit

Prepare an emergency kit with essentials including:

• Non-perishable food and water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
• Medications and medical supplies
• Flashlights, batteries, and battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• First aid kit
• Important documents in waterproof containers (insurance policies, deeds, medical records)
• Cash and credit cards
• Warm clothing and blankets
• Cell phone chargers and backup power banks
• Pet supplies if applicable
• N95 masks for air quality concerns

Stay Informed

• Sign up for Alert Franklin County to receive emergency alerts directly to your mobile devices (alertfranklincounty.org) or text FCREADY to 888777
• Monitor the National Weather Service Wilmington office (937-383-0031) for severe weather warnings and forecasts
• Follow local Columbus news stations for real-time weather and emergency updates
• Download the NOAA Weather Radio app for instant severe weather notifications
• Know your evacuation routes and have a family communication plan
• Identify your home's safest shelter location (interior room on lowest floor for tornadoes)

For Businesses

Pre-Loss Planning

ServiceMaster offers comprehensive pre-loss planning programs that create a customized business continuity strategy and recovery plan tailored to your organization's specific needs and Columbus-area risks.

Partnership Approach

We form a collaborative partnership to thoroughly understand your business's unique vulnerabilities, critical operations, supply chain dependencies, and potential hazards specific to the Columbus region.

Emergency Response Agreements

Pre-established Emergency Response Agreements ensure faster and more effective recovery after a disaster strikes. With agreements in place, ServiceMaster can mobilize resources immediately when you need us most, minimizing downtime and financial losses.

Advanced Resource Management

Our team can arrange for:

• Advanced weather monitoring and early warning notifications
• Power procurement and backup generator solutions
• Equipment and supply staging before anticipated disasters
• Priority response scheduling during emergencies
• Critical document protection and backup strategies
• Employee safety protocols and communication plans

24/7 Expert Restoration

When disaster strikes your business, ServiceMaster provides round-the-clock emergency response for commercial restoration services, including:

• Water damage restoration and flood cleanup
• Fire and smoke damage restoration
• Storm and wind damage repair
• Mold remediation and air quality restoration
• Contents cleaning and restoration
• Document recovery and drying
• Board-up and emergency securing services
• Reconstruction and rebuild services

Local Emergency Resources

Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security (FCEM&HS) Coordinates all-hazards disaster planning, warning, response, and recovery 5300 Strawberry Farms Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43230 Phone: (614) 794-0213 Website: fcemhs.org Alert System: alertfranklincounty.org or text FCREADY to 888777

Columbus Public Health Emergency preparedness and public health emergency response 240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: (614) 645-1244 Neighborhood Social Work Helpline: (614) 645-6807 Website: columbus.gov/publichealth

National Weather Service - Wilmington Office Serves the Columbus area with weather forecasts and severe weather warnings 1901 South State Route 134, Wilmington, OH 45177 Phone: 937-383-0031 Website: weather.gov/iln

Ohio Emergency Management Agency State-level emergency management coordination 2855 West Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, OH 43235 Phone: (614) 889-7150 Website: ema.ohio.gov

Emergency Services For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911

How to Get Started

For Businesses

Schedule a meeting with a ServiceMaster Pre-Loss Planning expert to:

1. Conduct a comprehensive property inspection and risk assessment
2. Identify vulnerabilities specific to your business operations and location
3. Develop a personalized disaster preparedness and recovery strategy
4. Establish an Emergency Response Agreement for priority service
5. Create a business continuity plan with clear action steps and communication protocols
6. Train staff on emergency procedures and evacuation plans

For Homeowners

Follow these preparedness steps to protect your family and property:

1. Assess your home's vulnerabilities to Columbus-area disasters
2. Create or update your family emergency plan, including evacuation routes
3. Build or refresh your disaster supply kit with seasonal considerations
4. Sign up for Alert Franklin County and other local emergency notification systems
5. Review your insurance coverage to ensure adequate protection
6. Keep ServiceMaster's contact information readily available for emergency restoration needs
7. Document your belongings with photos or video for insurance purposes

Columbus Flood Protection History

Columbus has made significant investments in flood protection following devastating historical floods:

• 1913 Flood: Ohio's worst natural disaster killed 93 people in Columbus and destroyed hundreds of buildings in Franklinton
• Delaware Dam (1951): Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Olentangy River to control flood peaks
• Alum Creek Lake (1964): Multi-purpose reservoir providing flood control and water supply
• Franklinton Floodwall (2004): 7.25-mile protection system along the Scioto River's west bank
• 1959 Flood Response: Led to strengthened levees and improved channel management
   

Despite these protections, flooding remains a risk during extreme rainfall events, making preparedness essential.

Why Choose ServiceMaster?

• Local Expertise: We understand Columbus's unique disaster risks and have extensive experience serving the central Ohio community
• Rapid Response: 24/7 emergency services ensure we're there when you need us most
  Advanced Technology: State-of-the-art equipment and proven restoration techniques
• Insurance Coordination: We work directly with your insurance company to streamline the claims process
• Comprehensive Services: From initial emergency response to complete restoration and reconstruction
• Trusted Partner: Licensed, bonded, and insured professionals committed to your recovery

Contact ServiceMaster

Don't wait until disaster strikes. Contact us today to discuss your preparedness plan or for immediate emergency restoration services.

Emergency? We're available 24/7/365