Summer is upon us and in Florida, it’s also known as the beginning of hurricane season. In Florida, hurricane season typically runs from June 1 through November 30. Storms during hurricane season can mean high winds, storm surges and flooding if one is headed in your direction. If a hurricane hits your area hard, you can lose power and water for a few days.
As a Tampa condominium association management company, we’ve put together a few hurricane safety tips to help keep your residents safe this season.
1. Know where all the exit stairwells are. When evacuating, try to avoid elevators in case of a power outage.
2. Bring in all outdoor items. Bring in any patio chairs, tables, plants, or anything else that may be blown around by strong winds.
3. Know your evacuation plan. Talk with your Tampa condominium management team before hurricane season starts about evacuation zones and hurricane planning. If your community does not have a set plan, we recommend putting one in place.
4. Be prepared for an evacuation. Let residents know to keep valuables with them, or to keep them in a safe place. They should also keep their pets with them. If there is damage done to their condo, it might take awhile to get back in.
5. Recommend that residents stock up on water, non-perishable foods, flashlights and batteries.
6. Keep an emergency kit in the clubhouse, and recommend that residents keep on in their home.
7. Supply sandbags for residents on the first floor to prevent flooding.
8. Know the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning. A hurricane “watch” means you should be on guard. Monitor the weather to see if a storm has gotten worse and changed patterns. A hurricane “warning” means that the storm is either happening right now, or will happen at any moment.
9. Follow the news and the National Weather Service for more information about the storm.
10. Take pictures of the community before the storm approaches, and again afterwards to document any damages.
Call Wise Property Management today at (813) 968-5665 to discuss how we can help with your condo association management needs or request a proposal.