Local Resources for Hurricane Preparedness

Posted By: Robert Carroll (Member) Industry News,

Hurricane Advisory

As Florida closely watches this year's hurricane track, multifamily owners and managers have a unique challenge to provide information and support to residents as well as to protect property. Here are some recommendations gathered from apartment associations and management companies that have experience dealing with hurricanes. 

  • Monitor local media for weather conditions and emergency information. 
  • Obtain emergency contact numbers for residents, and be sure they know what number to call for community information.
  • Provide team members contact information for all team members and management contact person.
  • Ask residents to move furniture, plants, and other items from patios and balconies and place them indoors. 
  • Advise residents to fill bathtubs with water that can be used to flush toilets if necessary. Even residents who are evacuating may need water supplies upon their return.
  • Ask residents who are evacuating to remove perishable food from refrigerators, to avoid having to clean out spoiled food in the event of a lengthy power outage. 
  • Drain pools about two feet. Move pool furniture, trash cans, outdoor seating, etc., indoors. Remove items from stairwells and walkways.
  • Open property access gates that may become unoperational in the event of a power outage.

Download a comprehensive hurricane checklist from the Texas Apartment Association's Disaster Preparedness Guide.

How to Find Official Local Information:

  • AlertAlachua.com - This alert notifies you of critical information including severe weather, unexpected road closures and evacuations.
  • FloridaDisaster.org is the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Here you will find real-time information about hurricanes that may impact or are impacting Florida. You can also create a customized family, business or special needs plan.
  • The City of Gainesville has an emergency notification system, alertGNV to ensure that you receive important messages from the City of Gainesville, Alachua County, the State of Florida and the National Weather Service at alertGNValertGNV.org. For additional information, please contact District Chief David McIntire at 352-393-8465 or mcintiredw@cityofgainesville.org

Hurricane Closures, Shelters and Outages:

  • Clay Electric Cooperative customers can report power outages by calling 888-434-9844
  • Duke Energy customers can report power outages by calling 800-700- 8744 (residential) and 877-372-8477 (business)
  • Florida Power and Light (FPL) customers can report outages by calling 800-226-3545
  • GRU customers can report power outages by calling 352-334-2871
  • School Board of Alachua County. To check on school closures, you can call (352) 955-7545 or check their website at www.sbac.edu.
  • The decision to open hurricane shelters will depend on the severity of the event as well as local needs. Shelter information will be available by calling 3-1-1 or visiting the Alachua County Emergency Management website

Emergency Shelters:

Alachua County

Marion County

Columbia County

Bradford County

Union County

Levy County

Baker County

Dixie County

Lafayette County

Gilchrist County

Suwannee County

Entire State of Florida County List

NAA resources

NAA Emergency and Disaster Library

10 Things to Do When Dealing with a Hurricane, Units, 2008

Additional resources

OSHA's Hurricane Preparedness & Response

Disaster Resources for Florida Businesses

Florida Division of Emergency Management

Florida Attorney General Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Download the FEMA Mobile App (in English or Spanish)

Checklist Based on Lessons from Katrina, Apartment Association of Greater New Orleans

National Hurricane Center

*All direction contained here is for informational purposes only.  Please follow the direction of your local and state governments and your management companies.

Finally, NCFAA Supplier Members are available to help with any emergency needs your communities might have. Please click here to view the Supplier Directory that outlines each industry product and/or service.

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact us at (352) 333-0333 or email us at robert@ncfaa.net

Thank you,

North Central Florida Apartment Association