We hope you and your famlies stay safe during the Hurricane. If phones and power are out at our office, please contact us through your Appfolio portal or email matt@floridapropertymanager with details and photos of any damages if possible.
Hurricane Information for Residents
Protecting and Securing your Home:
You are required to protect and secure the home just as the homeowner of the property would. The better you secure your home, the less likely damage will occur to your personal property.
Bring in all outdoor furniture, plants, decorations, garbage cans, and anything else that is not tied down. Any item that is not secured can become a projectile and damage your property. These items, if not removed, can cause serious damage to your home or to a neighbor. This is very important!
-Do not put tape on your windows.
-Do not crack windows or doors. A tightly sealed exterior is important to maintain during a storm.
-If a window should break during a storm, safely evacuate the area or room until it is safe to return.
-Park your vehicles somewhere safe, never under trees or in low lying areas prone to flooding.
Before evacuating, you should turn off the power and water supply to the home. Shut off your breakers (except to the fridge unless it is emptied) and turn off all water valves at sinks, the water heater, behind your toilet and at the meter if you are able. Please call your utility company or our office with questions. Be sure to throw away any perishable items prior to evacuating. Never leave any type of pets behind if you evacuate. Should you evacuate for a storm, we ask you to email our office to notify us. This will help our team to complete disaster assessments more efficiently.
Preparations before a hurricane:
-Plan ahead. If you do not already have a plan, make one right now.
-Listen to the news! Stay informed at all times. Have a battery operated radio and batteries.
-Know your evacuation routes. Determine where you would go and how you would get there.
-Make sure you include your pets in your evacuation plans as most shelters and many hotels do not allow pets. You cannot leave any pets (including kenneled or caged animals) in your home when you evacuate!
-If you plan on staying in your home, make sure you are prepared with supplies to last 3-14 days. Learn the location of nearby shelters in case you need to leave your home after a storm.
-Fill all your vehicles with gas and get cash from the ATM.
-Locate and secure all important papers, including insurance policies, wills, licenses, etc.
-Take inventory of your home! Maintain a written list of your possessions. Be specific and include serial numbers. Document with photos and/or video for your insurance company.
-Talk to your children about how and when to call 911.
-Make sure you have an operable fire extinguisher, and everyone knows how to use it.
-Establish an emergency meeting place in case your family gets separated.
-Be aware of and abide by all evacuation orders, especially in low lying areas and coastal areas prone to flooding.
Hurricane Shutters:
IMPORTANT: If you have these at your property and do not use them, you could be held responsible for resulting damage, as insurance companies will not cover damage that could have been prevented by these devices. There are two main types of hurricane shutters, Metal or Lexan panels and Fabric Shield. If either of these is available at your property, please search Youtube videos for installation instructions. These shutters typically use wing nuts to secure them. DO NOT screw anything into your siding or window frames.
Supplies checklist:
Local emergency management experts encourage you to have 3-14 days’ worth of supplies. Utilize the following checklist to prepare.
-Large supply of non-perishable foods
-Battery operated radio
-Flashlights and batteries
-Candles and lighters
-First Sid kit and manual
-Insect repellant
-Clean containers for water and ice. You need at least 5 gallons of water per person per day
-Clean bathtub and fill with clean water
-Fire extinguisher
-Prescription medicines and/or refills
-Disposable cleaning cloths
-Hand sanitizer
-Personal hygiene products
-Pet supplies
-Battery operated fan
-Car charger for cell phone
-Grill and propane
-Prepare emergency supply kit for a vehicle with essentials in case you are displaced
Safety during the Hurricane:
It is important to remain vigilant during the storm and take proper precautions to keep your family safe. Do not go outside or try to travel during the storm. Stay indoors until the storm is declared over and be wary of the “eye of the storm” when it appears calm, as conditions quickly worsen as the eye passes. Find a safe room in your home that can serve as protection during the worst part of the storm. Seeking an interior room, with the fewest windows or doors is the safest option. Many times this area is the bathroom, laundry room or hallway on the first floor of the home. If you lose power during a storm, you should unplug all appliances and turn off the air conditioner system. After receiving power back, wait at least 30 minutes before turning on the air conditioner and major appliances to help prevent power surges which can damage your appliances.
After the Hurricane:
Here’s what you need to know and resources to assist after a disaster. Safety should be a priority.
-Stay away from downed power lines. Do not attempt to walk or drive through flooded areas.
-Do not use generators inside the home or in an enclosed location. Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly. Do not wire generators to the breaker box.
-Do not attempt to climb on the roof or enter any other hazardous situation.
-Make sure to listen to officials for instructions. Typically, roads are not passable and curfews are imposed. For your safety, do not leave your home (unless necessary for your safety) until officials say it is okay to do so. For questions call Emergency Management.
-Report any damage to management immediately through your online portal or by email or dropping off a written description at our office. Phone lines will likely be down. We will dispatch contractors on a triage system as soon as conditions and roads allow.
-If damage to our area is severe, we will be inspecting properties as soon as possible after the storm. If your home appears to be damaged and you are not home, we will enter the home to document damages.
Written Authorization by the homeowner or landlord MUST be obtained prior to FEMA or any other person or agency installing a tarp on the roof! Tenants are NOT authorized to do any repairs without written authorization.
