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 Condo owners should prepare
for an approaching storm.
If a hurricane sets its sights on Pinellas
County, condominium owners need to be ready to
weather the storm.
 Six condo-specific tips for
residents are:
- Know your evacuation zone. Even
if you live on an upper floor, you may be completely
cut off from rescue if the grounds flood. Never
evacuate up.
- Get shutters or panels to cover your
glass doors and windows now. Be
sure to check with your condominium association
to see if a specific style is required.
- Bring all balcony furniture, potted
plants and other items indoors so they won’t
be blown around by strong winds.
- Know where your exit stairwells are
located. These exits may be necessary
if your building loses power, and elevators
are unavailable.
- Talk with the condo management group
to find out about its hurricane plan for
the entire facility.
- Talk with your association about
what would happen if your condominium were
destroyed by a hurricane. Every
declaration of condominium should have language
that addresses rebuilding or dissolution.
Typically this information is found following
the section about insurance.
Some Suggestions for
Management of Condominiums
Condominium and Homeowner Association Managers should know how to put an emergency plan together. This could possibly reduce your insurance expense and liability.
- Name floor captains to check on residents
with special needs before and after the hurricane.
- If the building is not in an evacuation zone,
find a safe place for residents to take shelter.
An interior hallway or other windowless room
is usually safest.
- Let your tenants know early of any intent
to shut down the building’s electricity,
water or sewer services.
- Set up a master supply of drinking or clean
water.
- Identify residents who have difficulty with
mobility. Create a plan to help them if the
electricity goes out or elevator fails.
- Set up a system to keep track of residents
who leave the building, so everyone can be
accounted for once the storm has passed.
Pinellas
County Emergency Operations Center
Department of Emergency Management
Citizen Information Center
(727) 464-3800
(during an
emergency activation call (727) 464-4333)
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