Tropical Storm Updates

Tropical Storm & Hurricane Preparation Tips

Preparing for a Hurricane

Check local forecasts on the TV, radio, and the internet often, and know what these terms mean:
- Hurricane Watch: Conditions are possible – time to start preparing your home and getting your evacuation plan in order in case a warning is issued.
- Hurricane Warning: Conditions are expected – time to complete all hurricane preparations and evacuate the area if instructed by local authorities.
Stock up on water, food items, and supplies, like batteries, and make sure your devices are fully charged in the event that we temporarily lose power.
Keep a disaster supply/evacuation kit handy, make sure your car's gas tank is full, and have a plan ready to go in the event of an emergency/evacuation.
If you do not have renters insurance, we highly recommend that you contact an insurance provider of your choice as soon as possible to see if you can still obtain renters insurance. Remember, our Liability Only Protection Program is not renters insurance and only covers liability in the event of accidental damage to the community for which you may be liable. It also does not cover loss of personal property/belongings.
If you do have renters insurance, we recommend that you reach out to your insurance company to inquire about the coverage you have and see if you are covered for flood insurance.

During a Hurricane

Stay indoors – away from windows and glass doors. Shut all interior doors, secure or brace exterior doors, and keep curtains and blinds completely closed.
Keep towels within reach so you can place them in exterior doorways in the event of heavy rain or flooding.
If the power goes out, only use battery-powered flashlights. Don’t light any candles or use a personal generator – for your safety, they are not permitted in the community.
Don’t be fooled by a lull in the storm – it could just be the eye of the storm, and winds could come back even stronger.

After a Hurricane and/or In the Event of Flooding

Watch out for possible flooding when you venture out, and keep away from downed power lines. Also, watch out for debris and areas that may have eroded due to flooding.
Avoid walking, standing, or driving through floodwaters. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and one to two feet of water can move a vehicle.
If you are in your car and water is rising around your car: 1) if the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground, or 2) if the water is moving, stay in the car and do not enter moving water.
Once the coast is clear, our service team will check buildings for damage and carry out post-storm inspections.
Take pictures of any damaged property, like your car, for your insurance purposes.
If you evacuated the area, don’t return until authorities stay it’s okay to do so.
If our local waste removal service can’t empty the trash, use temporary trash containers around the community to avoid pollution or water contamination.

For more information on storm safety, check out the following resources: