Recent Floods and Tornadoes Put Data at Risk

A string of tornadoes has been sweeping through the Midwest during the past few weeks, leaving severe damages in their wake. At the same time, the transition from winter weather to spring has also led to heavy rain storms in southern parts of the United States. Combined, these two weather juggernauts have led to countless power outages, damaged buildings and information that have either been lost, damaged or destroyed entirely.

In the recent period of storms has shown that the average man-made facility is not equipped to beat out the elemental forces of wind and water. Imagine for a moment, the chance a store or office has against onrushing flood waters stemming from a nearby body of water. The bricks themselves may stay standing, but water seeps into the foundation, into the deepest core of the building, inundating the basement with inches, and often feet of water that not only destroy many of the objects within, but also create enough mold and mildew damage to create major problems.

Similarly, a tornado meeting a building leaves the structure with little chance of withstanding the force of nature. Even a stone structure is vulnerable in the roof, where hail, which often precedes tornadoes, can weaken the facility, leaving it vulnerable to the twister that can pull it entirely off of the facility. This leaves the entire upper floor of the building in ruins, damaged by the thunderstorms that often surround cyclones.

The average business simply cannot hold up to the forces of nature, especially when you consider that a data center is typically located on the ground, which is often the most vulnerable. To avoid data loss incidents in the event of a natural disaster, organizations that often face seasonal risks may want to outsource their tape storage functions.

While an average building may not be able to keep up with nature, a facility run by an experienced information management company offers a level of sophistication that can withstand the fiercest elemental forces. Through careful study, third-party specialists can identify flood trends and build where water poses minimal risk. Careful construction allows buildings to withstand winds and avoid other major problems. Some providers even build in underground caverns and bunkers, providing a level of protection that is often unmatched in regular buildings, as these locations are strategically placed to avoid floods and safeguard records against all other threats.

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