With the last significant storm – Hurricane Wilma – seven years in our past, it’s easy to become complacent. But, as the 2012 hurricane season begins on June 1, what better time to revisit some of the things homeowner and condo associations must do to prepare should a disaster strike?
Associations would be well advised to create an operations manual that outlines what is required before and after a storm. Some things that should be addressed include:
- Who is responsible for securing outdoor patio furniture, planters, and anything else in the common area that can be tossed about ?
- Does the association have a generator? If not, what are plans for providing emergency lights and power?
- Outline at what point, and where, board members will meet after a storm passes and how residents will be notified of any developments.
- Put together a list of residents and emergency numbers/contacts.
