Owners and Tenants, Please be advised that Florida is under ALERT and Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency as
HURRICANE IRMA reaches a category 5 status with sustained winds of up to 180mph. Schools will be closed on Thursday and Friday.
Photo Credit: NBC 6
We need everyone’s immediate assistance to ensure the community is storm ready. We ask that all Owners and Tenants begin to secure all items found on the exterior of your unit. This means securing all items on balconies, porches, yards, etc. Please take a moment to review your personal emergency plans.
Storm Safety Tips:
Have a family emergency plan, gas up your cars, pull emergency cash, fill up your prescriptions, stock up on water bottle and non-perishable foods (don't forget a manual can opener), formula for infants, check you flash lights, radio, batteries, and first-aide kits, Have to "Go-Bag" with copy for critical documents, medicines, flashlights, whistle to signal for help, etc. Stock up on food & water for your pet(s). Check your homeowner's insurance coverage, backup your computers and electronics.
How much water should you have? You should have one gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days.
Other Tips:
-Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall. So before hurricane comes trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep your property safe.
-Communication is key, stay in contact during the storm to help one another.
-Reminder turn your refrigerator to the highest point 6 hours before storm hits, as it will keep you food cool for longer.
-Becareful after the storm if a flood is in affect please keep in mind downed wires and water don't mix.
-Pictures of your property before and after will help for insurance purposes.
Hurricane Hacks
1. Fill up the tub with water. I don’t know about you, but I’m not drinking out of a tub. However if I need water to flush a toilet I’d rather use the bathtub water than my drinking water. Do this as the storm is approaching.
2. Empty your ice bin into freezer ziplocks… and make more ice. Ice is about to become a premium.
3. Use water from the tap as long as you can. If you must use bottles, keep them and refill them. After the storm assume tap water is NOT safe to drink.
4. Turn up your freezer and fridge to coldest settings. Avoid opening them as much as possible.
5. Cook those perishable foods Friday. Meats, veggies, etc. Put them in the fridge. That’ll be your first meals post storm. Save the non-perishables for day 2 on.
6. Pack essential supplies in a central spot in your home. Do not use cardboard boxes. If they get wet… wet noddles will do a better job of holding your stuff together. Sturdy (non-paper) bags, plastic containers, etc are better. What’s an essential supply? Food, water, batteries, flashlights, car/wall chargers.
7. Have two exits from your home. Hopefully the storm shutters are up. In case of an emergency such as a fire you do not want to trap yourself in your own home. Leave two doors uncovered to exit from.
8. Get the BATTERY POWERED radio ready. DirecTV/DISH will go first, power outage will take cable with it. Cell phone service will likely fail. All news stations have agreements to simulcast on the radio. It will be your best source of information on what is happening as it happens.
9. Do you own a bottle of fix a flat? Post storm conditions are hell on tires. If you can find it today… grab a bottle.
10. Make your communication plan. Use an online platform to communicate with like Facebook, twitter, and snapchat (the kids use this I believe). An online platform is better than texting and phones because you can leave messages there for someone else to retrieve. If cell service/wifi is out this will be a good means of communicating… once you get to a place with service.
