Valir Physical Therapy in Shawnee, Oklahoma, left devastated by the EF2 tornado that tore through the area on April 19, 2023.
- Loss Type: Tornado Damage
- Damage: Complete structural loss and severe water damage to the Valir Physical Therapy facility, resulting in the destruction of specialized medical equipment.
- Location: Shawnee, OK
- Response Time: BMS CAT was on-site within hours to assess damage, secure the property, and initiate recovery efforts.
- Outcome: A fully restored and improved facility was completed on schedule, allowing Valir to resume operations and prevent long-term financial losses.
On April 19, 2023, a high-end EF2 tornado struck Shawnee, Oklahoma, as part of a larger severe weather outbreak across central Oklahoma. With peak winds of 130 mph, the tornado traveled 15.5 miles and reached a maximum width of 2,300 yards, causing widespread destruction.
Notable damages included severe structural losses at Shawnee High School, Oklahoma Baptist University, SSM Hospital, and numerous homes and businesses. Power outages and infrastructure failures left the city in crisis, with recovery efforts estimated at $30 million.
One of the businesses heavily impacted was Valir Physical Therapy, which suffered extensive structural and content losses. To ensure business continuity and minimize disruption for its employees and patients, Valir partnered with BMS CAT for restoration and recovery services.
Before the tornado, Valir Physical Therapy operated as a well-established rehabilitation center in Shawnee, serving a significant patient volume. The facility was equipped with specialized therapy equipment, making it a critical resource for individuals recovering from injuries and surgeries.
Its location in Shawnee was strategic, offering accessible care to a community that relied on its services for physical rehabilitation. The tornado’s impact resulted in the total destruction of the building, loss of essential equipment, and a significant disruption in patient care. A rapid and efficient restoration was essential to minimize business interruption and ensure continued support for the local community.
Another perspective of the destruction caused by the powerful EF2 tornado on April 19, 2023, showing the extent of damage to Valir Physical Therapy in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Immediate Challenges
Following the storm, immediate action was required to secure the site and assess the damage. The facility was left vulnerable to potential looters and further exposure to the elements, necessitating the construction of a temporary wall and roof covering. The extent of the structural failure and loss of essential therapy equipment meant that a thorough evaluation was needed to determine what could be salvaged. BMS CAT’s team quickly stepped in to document, pack, and relocate equipment to a secured facility, allowing for a detailed walkthrough and cleaning process.
Simultaneously, a relocation plan was developed to maintain business continuity, ensuring that employees could continue working and patients could receive care with minimal disruption.
Impact of the Tornado
The tornado’s destruction led to the collapse of Valir Physical Therapy’s building, the loss of vital medical equipment, and extensive water damage. These physical losses had a cascading effect on business operations. Patient care was halted, resulting in a financial strain due to lost revenue.
Many employees faced personal losses as their homes were also damaged, adding emotional and logistical challenges to their ability to return to work. The community, reliant on the clinic’s rehabilitation services, struggled with disruptions, requiring alternative care arrangements that presented logistical hurdles.
Operational Shifts & Business Continuity
To mitigate the impact, Valir Physical Therapy swiftly relocated its services to Midwest City, approximately 20 minutes away, ensuring that employees could continue working while also addressing their personal recovery needs.
BMS CAT facilitated the leasing of a temporary space within Shawnee Mall, which served as an interim clinic. A 30-day relocation plan was drafted, including securing a temporary lease, updating utilities, and notifying referral sources. Dedicated parking spaces were also leased to accommodate clients with mobility issues.
Within the first week, all salvageable equipment was packed and cleaned, and inventory management ensured that replacement equipment and supplies arrived before the 30-day reopening deadline.
Effective communication with patients was a priority, requiring updates to marketing channels to ensure customers knew where to find the new location. Additionally, signage at the old facility directed patients to the temporary site, and necessary approvals were obtained from the landlord for any new signage.
Securing the Site and Emergency Response
In the immediate aftermath, safety was the top priority. BMS CAT worked to remove debris and conduct a structural assessment to determine the next steps for demolition and rebuilding. Given the presence of hazardous materials and unstable structures, a careful approach was taken to clear the site efficiently while complying with safety regulations.
Coordination with local authorities and insurance representatives ensured a smooth claims process and expedited approvals for the reconstruction effort. Security measures were also implemented to prevent unauthorized access and theft, safeguarding both the property and any remaining patient records.
Contents Recovery & Restoration
One of the key challenges was managing the inventory of medical equipment and patient records. BMS CAT meticulously cataloged all damaged and salvageable assets, working closely with insurance providers to process claims for lost items.
Advanced cleaning techniques were employed to restore recoverable equipment, while new furnishings and supplies were ordered to equip the temporary and permanent locations. Ensuring that all orders arrived before the 30-day reopening deadline was a critical component of the project’s success.
Restoration and Rebuild Process
Planning the reconstruction involved a collaborative effort between Valir Physical Therapy, BMS CAT, insurance providers, and construction teams. The goal was not just to restore the facility but to enhance its resilience and functionality. Updated building codes and storm-resistant features were incorporated into the new design, ensuring better protection against future natural disasters.
By conducting a risk assessment, mapping out evacuation routes, and maintaining a stockpile of emergency supplies, Valir can proactively mitigate future disruptions. Construction timelines were carefully coordinated to align with the lease term of the temporary facility, minimizing further disruptions.
BMS CAT assisted Valir in seeking out construction companies, reviewing bids, and evaluating project profiles of similar-sized builds. Supply chain issues and permitting delays posed challenges, but innovative solutions allowed the project to stay on track.
In addition to designing a more resilient facility, efforts were made to implement proactive measures such as reinforcing structures, securing loose objects, and waterproofing key areas to further safeguard the property. By integrating these disaster preparedness strategies alongside reconstruction, Valir is better equipped to protect its staff, patients, and operations in the event of future emergencies.
After hard work and dedication, the reconstruction of Valir Physical Therapy in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is complete, restoring the facility to its former strength following the devastating EF2 tornado.
Results and Outcomes
Within the projected timeline, the new Valir Physical Therapy facility was completed, offering an improved layout with updated equipment and enhanced patient care areas. The reconstruction process led to operational efficiencies that benefited both staff and patients.
Financially, the business regained stability as operations returned to pre-tornado levels. Employees and customers expressed relief and satisfaction with the rebuilt facility, appreciating the improvements that resulted from the restoration process.
Lessons Learned and Best Practices
The Shawnee tornado highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and a well-structured business continuity plan. Having a comprehensive recovery strategy in place allowed for a smoother transition and minimized financial losses. The experience also underscored the value of working with an experienced restoration provider like BMS CAT, whose rapid response and expertise made a significant difference in reducing downtime.
Moving forward, Valir Physical Therapy implemented measures to further fortify its operations against potential future disasters, including enhanced insurance coverage and improved facility resilience.
The successful restoration of Valir Physical Therapy stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, strategic planning, and expert disaster recovery services. BMS CAT’s commitment to efficiency and resilience played a vital role in ensuring that the clinic could continue serving the Shawnee community.
Today, the clinic stands as a beacon of recovery, offering improved care and services while serving as a model for businesses navigating disaster recovery efforts.
How We Can Help
Blackmon Mooring & BMS CAT offer the Priority Disaster Response Program (PDRP), where we work with our customers to develop an emergency response plan. We discuss and identify priorities for your company, perform a property walkthrough, set expectations, and outline procedures to follow should a disaster occur.
Our Response Service Agreement, which is a non-binding agreement, allows us to pre-define pricing and determine how we will work together before a loss.
The PDRP allows us to provide a better overall experience for our customers should a disaster strike, because all the red tape is taken care of already.
We have a plan going into a loss, we know how we will handle the loss, and we can get to work quickly because we are all on the same page before our crews even arrive on-site. To learn more about the PDRP, visit our website or call 877.730.1948.