Living in the Houston area brings many advantages, but it also comes with the seasonal risk of hurricanes. These powerful storms can pose significant threats to homes, infrastructure, and, most importantly, the safety of our communities.
While we can’t prevent hurricanes, proper preparation can significantly mitigate their impact on HOA communities. At Graham Management, we prioritize proactive planning to protect both property and residents. By taking specific steps, HOAs can ensure that they are ready for whatever the season may bring.
Preparing Your Association for Hurricane Season in Houston
As a homeowner association (HOA), preparing for hurricane season involves several critical steps:
Develop an Emergency Response Plan
A clear emergency response plan is crucial for managing crises effectively. This comprehensive plan should outline clear and detailed procedures for various scenarios, including evacuation routes, designated shelter locations within the community, procedures for sheltering in place, and communication protocols.
All residents must be familiar with this plan and understand their roles and responsibilities during an emergency.
Secure Outdoor Assets
Proactively secure outdoor assets, including patio furniture, signage, and structures, to prevent them from becoming hazards. Additionally, trimming trees to remove overhanging or damaged branches helps reduce the risk of property damage and enhances overall safety within the community.
Inspect Structures for Maintenance Needs
Conduct thorough building inspections before hurricane season. These comprehensive inspections should identify existing maintenance issues that could worsen during a storm.
Addressing these issues proactively enhances the structural integrity of buildings and reduces the likelihood of costly repairs and safety hazards during severe weather events.
Prioritizing maintenance and repairs ahead of time allows your community to withstand hurricanes’ challenges better and ensures the well-being of all residents.
Educate and Communicate with Residents
Effective communication and education are crucial components of hurricane preparedness for any community. Proactively educating residents about the community’s hurricane preparedness plan is essential.
This includes providing clear and detailed guidelines on actions residents should take before, during, and after a hurricane.
Ensuring that all residents are well informed and prepared, can enhance safety and minimize risks to both individuals and property. Regular communication updates and educational sessions are key to reinforcing these guidelines and ensuring readiness throughout the hurricane season.
Hurricane Preparation Tips for Homeowners
Individual homeowners can also take proactive measures to protect themselves and their property:
Secure Outdoor Structures and Furniture
Securing outdoor structures and furniture is crucial to preventing potential hazards during hurricanes.
Ensure all loose items, such as patio furniture, grills, and garden decor (do not forget planters or hanging plants) are securely fastened or stored indoors. Items that cannot be brought indoors should be tied down to prevent them from becoming projectiles in strong winds.
Additionally, consider reinforcing structures such as fences and pergolas to withstand high winds and minimize property damage.
Prepare Your Home
Preparing your home for a hurricane goes beyond damage prevention, it includes working to ensure your safety and survival in the home following the storm.
You should:
- Place important documents like identification and insurance papers in a waterproof storage container. If you do not have one, place those documents inside plastic bags and put them in the dishwasher as it will keep everything dry.
- Fill the lower section of the dishwasher with ice and drinks. The water will drain as the ice melts.
- Fill freezer bags with water ¾ of the way, and lay them flat in the freezer. They will help keep things cold, longer during power outages and can serve as an additional source of water.
- Fill the bathtub with water. This will allow you to operate the toilet without running water.
- Ensure you have enough drinking water. You want to aim for a gallon per person, per day, for at least 3 days. So, 3 gallons per person in total.
- Gather battery-powered candles. You want to avoid open flames inside the home.
- Consider using solar-powered garden lights. These can provide light and will renew themselves without the need for additional batteries.
- Have Clorox Wipes or other disinfecting wipes.
- Gather 3 days’ worth of non-perishable food for each person.
- Have a storm radio with extra batteries.
- Ensure you have a wrench or pliers on hand to turn off utilities (like your gas line)
- Gather all necessary medications in a waterproof bag or container.
- Fully stock a first aid kit to handle any minor injuries.
- Fully charge your cell phone and have a backup battery.
It is also a good idea to ensure you have a full tank of gas in your car as well as extra gasoline if you have a gas-powered generator.
Safety Reminder: do not operate generators inside the home.
How to Prepare Your Pets
Hurricanes can be just as distressing and dangerous for your pets as they are for you. As a responsible pet owner, it is essential to bring your pets indoors well before the storm hits and to do what you can to ensure their safety and comfort.
Be sure to:
- Have a crate on hand. It should be large enough for your pet to comfortably stand and turn around.
- Gather toys and blankets, to offer comfort and familiarity while in the crate.
- Ensure a 2-week supply of food, water, treats, and medications.
- Collect food and water bowls
- Have the name of your veterinarian and emergency contact numbers.
- Gather rabies certificate, and vaccination records in a waterproof bag.
- Have a litter box with extra cat litter.
- Have a photo of your pet on your person, to prove that you are the owner.
- Gather extra leashes and collars.
- Ensure pets are wearing identification tags and a tracking device like an Air Tag.
- Stock cleaning supplies like disinfectants, plastic bags with ties, paper towels, and a litter scooper.
If you must evacuate, always bring your animals with you. If it is too dangerous for you, it is too dangerous for them.
For emergency assistance with your pets, keep the following numbers on hand:
- Animal Centers: 713-880-HELP (4357)
- City of Houston: 713-837-0311
Make an Evacuation Plan
Developing a clear and well-rehearsed evacuation plan is crucial to ensuring your family’s safety during a hurricane. Identify primary and secondary evacuation routes from your neighborhood and establish predetermined destinations where you can seek shelter or stay with family or friends.
Familiarize yourself with local evacuation procedures and the locations of nearby emergency shelters. Keep your evacuation plan updated and share it with all household members so everyone knows what to do during a hurricane.
To find shelters available to you, text “shelter + zip code” to 43362, for example, Shelter 77042.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
Reviewing your homeowner’s insurance policy before hurricane season is vital to understanding your coverage and preparing adequately.
Examine what your policy covers for wind damage, flooding, and other hurricane-related risks. Coordinate with your HOA to understand what is covered under their policy, ensuring there are no gaps in coverage that could leave you vulnerable during a storm. Consider purchasing additional coverage if your current policy does not adequately protect your property and belongings.
While you are focused on insurance, take pictures of everything inside and outside of your home, including the contents of drawers and closets. Take a picture of your insurance policy number and the contact phone numbers.
If you do not have waterproof storage, put important items and documents inside the dishwasher. This will keep things dry and protected.
Taking these steps can help mitigate financial losses and expedite recovery efforts in the aftermath of a hurricane.
What to Do If a Hurricane Hits
In the aftermath of a hurricane, quick and coordinated action is crucial. After confirming that everyone is okay and not in need of medical attention, do the following:
Assess and Document the Damage
Homeowners should immediately assess and document any damage to their home. Documenting the damage thoroughly will facilitate the insurance claims process.
The HOA should perform similar assessments, checking community buildings and infrastructure for damages.
File Insurance Claims as Quickly as Possible
Promptly file insurance claims to expedite the recovery process. Work closely with your association management team and insurance company to ensure all necessary documentation is submitted.
Choose Repair Contractors Carefully
Select reputable contractors with experience in post-hurricane repairs. The association management team can provide recommendations and guidance on choosing reliable and effective contractors.
Prepare Your HOA for Hurricanes with Association Management from Graham Management
At Graham Management, we prioritize proactive hurricane preparedness and responsive post-event support. Our experienced property management team, dedicated to helping Houston HOAs navigate hurricane season with confidence and resilience, provides a reassuring safety net.
During the Atlantic hurricane season, preparation is critical to ensuring the safety and security of our communities. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist your Houston HOA in preparing for and recovering from hurricanes.
Quick Reference, Helpful Links and Resources:
CenterPoint Power Outage Tracker:
https://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/
Report downed power lines:
Call (713) 207-2222 or (800) 332-7143. https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/Safety/Pages/downed-power-lines.aspx?sa=ho&au=res#sthash.DjNOGuIO.dpuf
Report Natural Gas Leak:
CenterPoint Energy’s leak hotline
Call (713) 659-2111 or (800) 752-8036
Report Down Street Lights:
http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/sloreporting/?_ga=2.116877638.114271175.1715947236-350780951.1632404814
Emergency shelter or assistance:
Text (Shelter + zip code) to the number 43362, to find a safe space to shelter example “Shelter 77042”
https://www.disasterassistance.gov/information/immediate-needs/emergency-shelter
Text (DRC & zip code) to the number 43362, to find Disaster Recovery Centers example “DRC 77042”
https://egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator#
Information on disasters and support:
https://www.tdem.texas.gov/recovery/resources-for-texas-citizens
https://www.tdem.texas.gov/individuals-family
The Texas Division of Emergency Management has a mobile app for updates
www.disasterassistance.gov
800-621-3362 (for assistance programs in area)