Different parts of the country may have varying needs because of the types of natural disasters that tend to occur in certain areas. For instance, the East Coast and Gulf Coast areas contend with an annual hurricane season. Parts of the Midwest deal with an annual tornado season. While the West Coast doesn’t tend to have an annual season, it suffers recurring wildfires, mudslides, and earthquakes. While the causes of damage may be different, there are a number of common elements that need to be considered.

One factor that is common to all types of disasters is that you will be on your own for some period of time, as Emergency Response Teams will be spread thin and may not get to you right away.

Associations must plan differently from individuals, as the Association is attempting to both help its residents and protect Association common area property. See Association plan below.

Individuals are planning not only for the protection of their property, but also for the protection of individual family members. Consequently, planning for individuals takes place at a more granular level. Depending on where the individuals are located when disaster strikes, they must also plan for different locations:

Home

Work

• Vehicle

Pets in the home will require an extension of the individual plan to consider the specific needs of each type of pet. See Pet considerations below.

The type of event has significant impact on your planning. Earthquakes provide NO advance warning; they simply occur. You can react to this event, but can do little to mitigate as the event occurs. Tornados often give just a few minutes’ advance warning - generally enough time to seek shelter, but not enough time to evacuate. Hurricanes, wildfires, and mudslides generally provide enough advance warning so that an evacuation can occur, if it is deemed necessary.

No matter what type of event, and no matter if you’re working at the Association level or the individual level, your general approach is to (1) gather information, (2) create a plan, (3) implement the plan when an event occurs, and (4) recover.

Association Preparedness Plan

The first step to establishing a disaster plan is to create a list of contacts:

Local Emergency Management Office

County Law Enforcement

• County Public Safety – Fire / Rescue

Second, follow guidelines to guard your community’s health and protect the environment:

Review the Centers for Disease Control’s health considerations before, during, and after a storm.

Remember to follow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s food and water safety guidelines during disasters.

Review the Environmental Protection Agency suggestions for health and environmental safety.

Third, assist your members/residents by providing the following:

1. Evacuation guidelines and suggestions
2. Notification of closure of Association amenities
3. Contact information for security staff (if any)
4. Contact information for Board members and management company
5. Plans for assisting elderly or disabled members
6. Backup generators or power systems

Special notes for high-rise buildings include:

1. Note where the closest emergency exit is.
2. Be sure you know another way out in case your first choice is blocked.
3. Take cover against a desk or table if things are falling.
4. Move away from file cabinets, bookshelves, or other things that might fall.
5. Face away from windows and glass.
6. Move away from exterior walls.
7. Determine if you should stay put, "shelter-in-place", or get away.
8. Listen for and follow instructions.
9. Take your emergency supply kit, unless there is reason to believe it has been contaminated.
10. Do not use elevators.
11. Stay to the right while going down stairwells to allow emergency workers to come up.

Fourth, plan for protecting Association property:

Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8” plywood.

Bring outside items in if they can be picked up by the wind.

Reinforce garage door.

Individual Preparedness Plan

The first step to establishing a disaster plan is to create a list of contacts:

Local Emergency Management Office

County Law Enforcement

County Public Safety – Fire / Rescue

Second, follow guidelines to guard your health and protect the environment:

1. Review the Centers for Disease Control’s health considerations before, during, and after a storm.
2. Remember to follow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s food and water safety guidelines during disasters.
3. Review the Environmental Protection Agency suggestions for health and environmental safety.
4. Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines to allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered.
5. Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if not ordered to do so.
6. Always stay on alert. Many times the danger may not be over.
7. Make sure schools and daycares have school emergency plans.
8. Create a disaster preparedness kit. See checklist.

In the case of a hurricane, there are numerous things you can do prior to a storm approaching. We all know some storms catch us off guard and we have to act quickly; however, if a warning has been issued, take the time to ready your home.

1. Download an app to your smartphone that will notify people where you are and if you need help. The Red Cross has a hurricane app available.
2. Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8” plywood.
3. Bring outside items in if they can be picked up by the wind.
4. Reinforce garage door.
5. Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case the power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors to the refrigerator or freezer.
6. Fill the bathtub with water.
7. Get a full tank of gas in your car.
8. Go over the evacuation plan with your family.
9. Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.
10. Put an ax in your attic in case of severe flooding.
11. Evacuate if ordered.
12. Store important documents in a watertight container.
13. Have a current inventory of household property
14. Leave a note to say where you are going.
15. Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.
16. If possible, turn off the utilities to your home.