b'PART I: P REPARING FOR A N ATURAL D ISASTERMostmanagershavedevelopedemergencyopera-tionalproceduresthatassistthecommunitywithhandling catastrophic events. But, a fact of the matteris that most managers have never experienced one oftheseevents.Eventhemostexperiencedmanagersfind that there were unknown factors exposed afterthe event, that if approached before the event, wouldmake the after event more uneventful. The goal ofthis article is to help you get your association pre-pared well in advance of the disaster. Hopefully, youwill never have to experience a major natural disasterbut you do need to be prepared, just in case.Before the event: PART II:A FTER THE N ATURAL D ISASTERMeet with your insurance agent to review your poli- The days after a catastrophic event create a plethoracies for proper coverages. Compare policy coverages of challenges. If the planning before the event wasversus document requirements. Review Ordinance of done successfully the execution of the plan will makeLawcoveragesforcodeupgrades.Makesureyou everyones life better. We must acknowledge that weunderstandwhatisnotcoveredbyyourinsurance are discussing Community Living and you will have(landscaping, trees and building code upgrades). Take owners that will want to stay and not evacuate. Dopictures and video of all common property and fur- not let that happen. Also, they cannot return to thenishings. Store those digital files off site or upload to property until it is safe. Hopefully, you will have athe cloud so they can be accessed from any location. volunteerwhocankeepthewebsiteupdatedwithDiscussfundinglargedeductibles,recommend progressreportsandmaybeevensomepicturestoloss assessment coverage on the unit owners policies. help reduce your interruptions.Consideropeningseparatebankaccountsfordeductibles,insuranceproceedsandspecialassess- Executing the Emergency Plan:mentsfordisasterexpenses.Remembertoincrease The first challenge may be gaining access to the prop-your Fidelity bond to cover insurance proceeds and erty. If the disaster was a direct hit hurricane or evenassessment amounts. a severe tornado you may not be able to get to theReview with your owners evacuation procedures, propertyrightaway.Roadsmaybeblockedorconduct regular fire drills and publish information to bridges may be down or damaged. Communicationbe placed in all units, especially in high rise buildings. by land line or cell phone may not be possible.Make sure your owners know that they cannot plan If your association is located on a barrier islandon staying in the clubhouse or common areas of your you should have two way radios that your mainte-building during a storm.nance,securityandmanageralreadyhaveintheirContactyourassociationcontractorstoarrange possession.Youshouldhavewaterproofhandheldfor emergency tree removal for after the storm. Debris radios with a 20 to 35 mile range.removal can frequently be planned for with your asso- Maintaincontactwithlocal,stateandfederalciation landscaper.If your association is located on authorities.Theywillbeagoodsourceofany of the barrier islands, contact emergency manage- information and will have the ability to permit accessmentofficialsforauthoritytoaccesstheproperty, totheproperty.Oneprimarycontactshouldbewell in advance of the season or event. appointedforyourassociation.TheprimaryIf you take the time now to get prepared it will contact should be familiar with the local authoritiesmake your experience, if you ever suffer a disaster, and, if possible, have a way to communicate with othermuch more manageable. board members and the manager. Continued on following pageSummer 2021 Suncoast Review - 9'