Resources to Aid Multifamily Operators During Hurricane Season

It's hurricane season, and 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 to consider when a hurricane or tropical storm threatens, gathered from apartment associations and management companies based on their experience. 

• 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.

Read more in Lessons Learned: Step-by-Step Preparation for Hurricane Season.

NAA resources

NAA Emergency and Disaster Library

Additional resources

• National Hurricane Center
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
  • Hurricane Milton Updates
  • Hurricane Helene Updates
• National Apartment Association Emergency and Disaster Library
• Download the FEMA Mobile App (in English or Spanish)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Hurricane Preparedness Guide
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Financial Emergency Preparedness
• Report Price Gouging (Florida Attorney General's Office)