How to Prepare Your Greenhouse for Severe Spring Weather
March 27, 2025 Spring is a critical season for greenhouse businesses. However, it’s also a season notorious for severe weather, making spring storm preparedness essential.
The increasing unpredictability and intensity of events like tornadoes, hailstorms, and flash floods can cause catastrophic damage, disrupt operations, and lead to significant financial losses. With rebuilding costs rising in recent years, proactive preparation is more important than ever.
Business leaders are feeling the pressure. A recent survey of executives heading into 2025 found that 67% fear the next severe weather event could put their company out of business. An overwhelming 90% say their businesses have already been impacted by severe weather in the past five years, according to the 2025 C-Suite Stress Index survey, released by Sentry Insurance.
Recent data indicates a notable shift in the patterns and frequency of severe spring storms. Traditionally confined to certain areas of the country, activity has expanded to new regions, posing new challenges for greenhouse operations nationwide.
Recent data indicates a notable shift in the patterns and frequency of severe spring storms. Traditionally confined to certain areas of the country, activity has expanded to new regions, posing new challenges for greenhouse operations nationwide.
In the U.S. in 2024, there were 27 confirmed weather/climate events with losses exceeding $1 billion, up from the historical average of nine. Nearly half occurred in meteorological spring — March through May.
Severe weather during this critical season is concerning for those who rely on spring sales to make up a significant portion of their annual revenue. A good spring can mean the difference between a profitable year and financial hardship for greenhouse and garden center businesses.
The best way to protect your business is through effective risk management, which includes ongoing monitoring of insurance coverages and limits.
Essential Risk Management for Spring Storms
Severe spring weather can damage infrastructure, disrupt supply chains, and halt operations. To mitigate these events, greenhouse businesses should adopt a two-pronged approach: preventative maintenance to reduce exposure and risk mitigation strategies, including right-sized coverages and limits to reflect today’s higher property valuations should rebuilding be necessary.
Preventative maintenance should include:
- Replacing outdated coverings: If your coverings — especially those made out of polycarbonates — are in good condition, your greenhouse is less likely to sustain damage in a wind or hailstorm. Replace coverings on a set schedule, based on the material. For example, a 6 mil, UV-treated poly greenhouse cover can last four to six years. A 4-mil poly lasts four years or less. Polycarbonate panels typically last 10 to 15 years, though thicker, UV-resistant panels may last longer. Acrylic lifespan is typically 15 to 20 years, but due to combustibility concerns may incur coverage issues. Glass lifespan is 25-plus years — perhaps longer if seals and securement devices are properly maintained.
- Implementing a backup power system: Power outages can disrupt essential greenhouse functions. Having a backup generator helps to ensure that ventilation, heating, and irrigation systems remain operational in the event of a storm. Make sure your generator is exercised regularly — at least monthly — and perform a full load test at least annually. A full load test is when you run your generator for at least two hours on an 80% load. While the majority of greenhouse operations aren’t required to follow NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) 110, the Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems can be used as a best practices guide relating to your backup power system(s).
- Using windbreaks: Plant trees or install fencing to reduce wind speed and protect greenhouses from direct exposure to high winds and possible flying debris.
- Roof inspections: On commercial buildings, a strong, well-maintained roof is the first line of defense against high winds, hail, and heavy rain. Inspect roofs annually, or every spring and fall, to catch problems before they become a major issue. Investing in wind-resistant materials can prevent structural failures.
- Drainage systems: Ensure gutters, drains, and water runoff systems are clear, free from corrosion, and functioning properly to prevent flooding. Poor drainage can lead to water pooling in greenhouses and damage to plants and infrastructure. Installing additional sump pumps or trench drains can help redirect excess water.
- Securing outdoor materials: Loose materials such as tools, equipment, pallets, and plant trays can become airborne during strong storms, causing damage to structures. Regularly secure or store these items in protected areas.
- Monitoring weather alerts: Sign up for severe weather notifications from trusted sources to stay informed and prepared.
- Emergency planning: Establish clear emergency response procedures for different weather events, including tornadoes, hailstorms, and flooding. Conduct regular drills with employees to ensure readiness, including evacuation routes and protocols for securing the facility quickly before a storm hits.
10 Insurance Considerations for Storm Events
Even with preventative measures in place, some risks cannot be eliminated. That’s where insurance comes in. The right policies and limits can help ensure that even in the wake of severe weather, your garden business can recover with minimal financial strain.
Here are some insurance considerations:
- Secure comprehensive property coverage: Make sure your policy covers all essential infrastructure, including greenhouses, equipment, and critical business assets. Choose an insurer that understands the unique risks of horticulture to ensure your business remains resilient in the face of unexpected challenges.
- Reassess and optimize to reduce gaps: Reassess property values annually to ensure coverage aligns with current rebuilding costs. Greenhouse construction costs have significantly increased over the years — what cost $8 per square foot decades ago may now be three to four times higher. Staying updated prevents gaps in coverage.
- Document damage immediately: Take photos and videos of storm-related losses and report claims promptly to your provider. Unless a structure is in imminent danger of additional damage if repairs aren’t completed, make sure to call the claim in before completing repairs. This will allow your carrier to investigate the loss and determine if the damage was caused by a covered loss. Track all repair costs, invoices, and communication to streamline the claims process.
- Specialized coverage needed for property exclusions: While most standard property insurance policies cover wind damage, it’s critical to review your specific policy for exclusions or limitations related to business insurance for other storm damage. Tornado damage, for example, can range from minor structural issues to total destruction that also necessitates debris removal. Confirm with your insurer that your coverage is sufficient for today’s rebuilding costs, not just the depreciated value of your structures.
- Understand hail damage deductibles: Hail can damage roofs and ruin expensive equipment and plants. Standard property insurance may cover hail damage but check if your policy has a high deductible for hail-related claims. Additional riders or endorsements may be necessary to ensure full protection of business assets from hailstorms. Installing hail guards on HVAC systems and using impact-resistant materials can also reduce your risk and potentially lower insurance premiums.
- Get dedicated flood insurance: One of the biggest mistakes greenhouse businesses make is assuming their standard property insurance covers flood damage — it usually does not. Flash floods can be devastating, especially in low-lying areas or locations with poor drainage. If your business is in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If your greenhouse operation is located near a river, lake, or floodplain, this coverage is a necessity.
- Consider equipment breakdown, crop, and spoilage protection: Equipment failure can lead to significant crop losses. Ensure your policy covers both mechanical breakdowns and the spoilage of perishable goods. Some insurers automatically embed this coverage into their policies, while others require separate policies — know what’s included in your plan.
- Stay whole with business interruption insurance: While property insurance covers physical damages, business interruption (BI) insurance helps compensate for lost income while your business undergoes repairs. This is particularly important for greenhouse operations, as the spring growing season cannot be paused. Missing even a few weeks during the peak spring months could be financially devastating.When it comes to business interruption insurance, consider policies with coverage that extends beyond the standard three to six months to at least six to nine months, as delays in rebuilding due to permitting, inspections, and supply chain shortages are common.
- Cover losses with utility service interruption insurance: Severe storms can knock out power for extended periods, leading to the loss of temperature-sensitive plants. A utility service interruption endorsement on your policy can cover crop losses caused by prolonged outages.
- Reduce damages with contingent business insurance: Beyond your own storm risks, if a key supplier suffers damage and cannot deliver essential materials, it could impact your business. Contingent business income coverage protects against revenue losses due to disruptions in your supply chain.
Safeguard Your Business
Spring storms are no longer just a possibility — they are a certainty. With tornado activity expanding, wind and hailstorms becoming more frequent and severe, and flash floods posing an increasing threat, greenhouse businesses must take proactive steps to protect their operations. Implementing strong risk management practices, maintaining facilities, and securing adequate insurance coverages and limits will help safeguard your business against losses.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on GreenhouseGrower.com, our sister brand.