The best way to deal with a hurricane is by being prepared. There is no way to be 100% ready for what might be coming at you, but you can do your best. Help your residents to understand the best plan of action and work together to get things ready. Ultimately, the preparations are up to you to make sure that your property is ready to weather the storm.

Watch The Weather

Watch the local weather reports to get the latest information on the storm. Take what they are saying into consideration. Is the storm headed for a direct hit in your area? Are you going to be on the outskirts? It is best to know what they think is headed your way in order to make an accurate plan. Give your residents the heads up to do the same so that everyone is on the same page.

Put Away Furniture

If you have any outdoor furniture items, either tie them down, or put them away into storage. You won’t want the added danger of flying patio furniture in the middle of a hurricane. The light plastic chairs can come crashing through windows, breaking glass and possibly causing injuries. If you put the furniture away before the storm hits, you will be avoiding a potentially bad situation. Be sure to check patios and outdoor areas connected to your building. Even if they have a roof on top, the wind can come blowing through and lift furniture right off the ground. Tell residents who have a outdoor patio area to bring in their furniture too.

Contact Local Authorities

Get in touch with your local agencies and find out the best evacuation route for your residents (and yourself) if the need arises. Inform residents by posting the evacuation route in places that they will be able to see it. Have copies printed and distributed to each family in order to give them all the options. Also find out where any emergency shelters will be located in case disaster strikes. Having all the information up front will allow you to be as prepared as possible.

If You Evacuate

If you need to evacuate the property, be sure to shut off the gas and the electricity. This might help to save your property from further damage in the case of flooding or severe damage. The last thing anyone needs is a gas leak or even an explosion if your tanks become damaged in the storm. Put up a new message on your answering service informing residents and family members of the current situation. Be sure to include the time and date when you make the message so that people know how relevant the information is and update it whenever possible.

After The Storm

When you return to your property after the storm, immediately assess the damage. Do a walkthrough of all the apartments and offices and see what needs to be addressed. Start dealing with water damage immediately. The longer that water sits around, the worse the condition will get. Mold and other problems can develop, leaving you in even more trouble. It is usually best to hire a professional to deal with the situation, but if you live in an area that has been hit hard, it may be hard to find one who can fit you into his or her schedule. Contact FEMA to see if there are any emergency funds in place and keep all of your receipts to track for later.

If you are in the path of a hurricane, get prepared as soon as possible. Occupancy Solutions has more valuable information that you can use to get your property ready to withstand a storm. Contact us today to find out more.