Severe Weather Protocols Every Memphis Guard Service Should Have
Every Memphis business owner knows that severe weather can strike without warning. The EF3 tornado that tore through the city in 2023 was on the ground for less than twenty minutes and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. Tornadoes don't give much notice, and when they hit, the consequences for businesses that weren't prepared extend far beyond the initial damage.
Professional security services in Memphis need severe weather protocols that go beyond telling officers to stay safe. We need clear procedures for maintaining security presence during storms, protecting property during power outages, and responding safely once the event passes.
Pre-Staging and Monitoring
The hours before severe weather arrives are when preparation matters most. Our dispatch team monitors weather conditions continuously during active weather patterns. When tornado watches are issued for Shelby County, we proactively contact clients with outdoor exposure, large parking areas, or properties with known vulnerabilities to storm damage.
This is the time to secure loose items, verify that emergency backup power for critical systems is functional, and ensure that your security team has current contact information for on-call management. Properties along major corridors like Poplar Ave, Union Ave, and the I-40 corridor have different exposure profiles than those in more sheltered areas, and those differences should inform your preparation priorities.
Security Presence During Severe Weather
The question we hear most from clients is whether security officers should remain on-site during active severe weather. The answer depends on the property and the structure. Officers in robust buildings with adequate shelter should remain on-site to protect property and respond to damage as it occurs. Officers in temporary structures, trailers, or buildings with known structural vulnerabilities should relocate to designated safe areas.
Our post orders for all Memphis assignments include severe weather protocols specific to each property. Officers know where to shelter, when to relocate, and how to communicate with dispatch when conditions deteriorate. They're trained to make judgment calls that prioritize both their personal safety and the client's property protection.
Post-Storm Damage Assessment
After severe weather passes, the work is just beginning. Security officers often arrive at damaged properties before management does, and their initial assessment determines how quickly recovery operations can begin. Our officers are trained to identify: structural damage visible from the exterior, compromised entry points, downed power lines, flooding in low areas, and damaged vehicles in parking lots.
This information is immediately communicated to client contacts and logged with timestamps. For properties with significant damage, we coordinate with restoration services and can maintain a security presence around the clock until permanent repairs are complete. The cost of temporary post-storm security is a fraction of the cost of unauthorized entry into a damaged building.
Communication Infrastructure During Storms
Cell networks become congested during severe weather events. Our officers carry two-way radios that operate independently of cellular infrastructure, and our dispatch center maintains backup communication systems. We don't rely on a single communication channel when severe weather could knock it out.
This redundancy matters. When a tornado has just passed through and you're trying to reach your property to assess damage, you need to be able to reach your security team. Our communication systems are designed for exactly this scenario.
If your current security provider doesn't have documented severe weather protocols, this is the time of year to ask for them. Call (202) 222-2225 or reach out to discuss your Memphis property's storm preparedness. We serve clients across the Memphis metro area with trained officers who know how to respond when severe weather strikes.