Hurricane Season 2010
It doesn’t seem possible, but Tuesday, June 1st is the official start of the 2010 hurricane season in Florida. Weather experts are predicting that this season will bring higher than normal activity and more intense storms, due to El Nino subsiding in the Pacific and warmer waters in the Atlantic Ocean.
Florida has a long history of hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding. Though scientists have made great strides in forecasting these events they still fail to predict, when, where and the overall intensity of these natural disasters. Prior to 2004 and 2005 the majority of residents in Florida had not experienced a hurricane. That two year period of time of abnormal storm activity treated most of Florida’s population to strong destructive winds, large amounts of rain and flooding – and yes, tornadoes! Tornadoes are considered Nature’s most destructive storms. Florida is in the Top 5 States with highest tornado activity, with an average of 51 tornadoes per year.
If the last 10 years has taught us anything, it has taught us to be prepared for natural and man-made destruction. We cannot prevent these events from happening but we can be prepared in terms of pre-storm preparation and post-storm preparation and planning.
Each year across America there is on average 10,000 thunderstorms, 5,000 floods, 1,000 tornadoes, and 6 named hurricanes. Additionally, about 90 percent of all presidentially declared disasters are weather related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $14 billion in damage. Below is a sample Hurricane Preparedness Plan for Community Associations.
SAMPLE HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS PLAN
The following is an outline of a sample preparedness plan. Each association should change this outline to fit their needs and specific situation, as each association is different:
I Likelihood of the hurricane hitting our association?
II Possible effects to the association?
III What financial contingencies have been made to cover deductibles, emergency expenses and other unforeseen losses?
IV Review of all association’s insurance policies, what gaps are there, what additional policies will have to be purchased for the association to be properly insured? What are the association members responsible for and have they been notified?
V What steps, improvements and additions can be made to the association’s buildings to help lessen the impact of a hurricane such as hurricane strapping, shutters, tree trimming, etc.
VI What employees, vendors, sub-contractors and other professionals are available to the association prior to and during a hurricane and are they on call to react to a storm?
VII Are there job descriptions which specifically deal with pre-storm and post- storm preparations and clean-up? Are there volunteers to help out? Who are they and what will they do?
VIII Are communications set up to inform the residents of any pre-hurricane and post-hurricane activity and preparedness? How will communications be handled during the storm?
IX What equipment, pumps, motors, etc., will be affected by the hurricane? Will service companies secure the equipment prior to the storm and be available after the storm?
X Develop a master file with this information enclosed. Have extra copies on-site and off-site for Board members, committee members and authorized personnel. This master file should be updated prior to every hurricane season. After the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 we learned many great lessons…unfortunately the hard way. At that time, we wrote an article “Time to Rethink Hurricane Preparedness” which outlines many things that an association can do to prevent as much discomfort and trouble to the association and its residents.
Hurricane Information
The following are links to additional websites that are of importance to associations, families and businesses that should be prepared for natural and man-made disasters in Palm Beach County, Florida:
Severe Weather Awareness Guide
Disaster Preparedness Guide for Elders
National Org. on Disabilities First Emergency Preparedness Initiative Guide
Hurricane Tracking Chart/Map Side A
Hurricane Tracking Chart/Map Side B
Do It Yourself Windstorm Inspector
National Hurricane Survival Initiative
Hurricane Shutter Information from NOAA
Find Out If You Are in A Flood Area
DBPR – Disaster Preparedness Plan for Associations
FEMA – Emergency Preparedness for Pets
The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS)
What to do if A Hurricane Threatens Your Community
Find Out If You Are in A Flood Area
Regional Section IV – FEMA Contact Numbers
The Associated Property Management Website has a comprehensive section titled “Emergency Preparedness”. You may access this portion of the website directly from this link http://www.assocpropmgt.com/emergency-preparedness/. We have broken this section of the website into Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Flooding with information, articles and internet links to many websites that can help families, businesses and associations with emergency planning and preparation.
Don’t wait until it is too late to prepare for an emergency in your community association.
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