Community Association Management Systems, Inc. Blog

Hurricane Season Planning     NOAA Prediction & Making a Pre-Plan Now       In April, NOAA predicted 7 hurricane-strength storms in 2018 (sustained winds of 74+ mph). Recently, however, the number predicted dropped to 4. Apparently, the tropical Atlantic is colder than normal for this time of year. While this is welcomed news, especially following the wake of devastation last year left by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, it's only an educated guess. So stay vigilant and make a plan now.     At CAMS, we recommend a little "Hurricane Pre-Planning" by following three basic courses of action. Then later if a named storm sets its sights on South Florida, you can proceed with preparing your home for an imminent strike. For now, however:                    ASSEMBLE A HURRICANE KIT:  A direct hit by a hurricane can mean loss of power and essentials for a long period of time. We recommend assembling your Hurricane Disaster Kit now, and stowing it in a closet or attic. Think of your kit as what you might require for an extended camping trip. You'll need flashlights, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, toiletries and other non-perishable essentials, a change or two of clothing, a few basic tools, a camp stove if you have one, a first-aid kit, and anything else you think you can't do without if and when the time comes. The key here is to really put one together now while you're thinking clearly. Later, if a hurricane strike is imminent, you can supplement at that time with food, water and other last-minute items. REVISIT YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE: It's never a bad idea to periodically check that your home and belongings are adequately insured. But in Florida, during hurricane season, the stakes for homeowners are high. And when a storm is zeroing in on your neighborhood, it's generally too late to start worrying about coverage. Revisit your homeowner's insurance now. If you need to extend your coverage or list new items and shoot photos, etc., you have the luxury of time on your side. Also, while you're getting organized, file all your important financial, medical and personal papers all in one spot. That way, when your hurricane preparation becomes the real thing, you can quickly access, waterproof and protect those documents before the storm hits. Post-storm is a bad time to chase a paper trail. READY YOUR STORM SHUTTERS: Every window and otherwise penetrable entryway to your home should be equipped with protection, whether it's storm shutters, fitted plywood sheets or other devices. Now is the time to take them out of long-term storage, move them nearby where they're quickly accessible, check that they function properly, and take inventory of the components necessary to install them. Speaking of installation, if you require help putting up your shutters, now is also the time to make arrangements for that assistance. Oh, and while you're digging things out of storage, do you plan to park your vehicles in your garage if a storm is pending? Is there room? There's a good chance you might not have time to clean out your garage in the event of an approaching hurricane, not to mention the obvious problems associated with throwaway items piled near the road. Get busy now!  Waiting in long lines to purchase gasoline, canned goods and drinking water; clearing your yard of ornaments, garden hoses, trash cans, outdoor furniture and the like; and all the other necessary short-term preparations prior to an imminent hurricane strike are nerve-wracking enough. However, if you take the time now to pre-plan with the suggested items above, it can greatly reduce the anxieties experienced in an already highly stressful situation. See Ready.Gov for more hurricane planning information.