The 2025 Hurricane Season is upon us, and for Floridians, preparation is not just a suggestion—it’s a necessity. For residents in homeowners associations (HOAs) and condominium associations, preparedness is a shared responsibility. While the Board of Directors has specific duties to protect community assets, each resident must take charge of their own safety and property.
Understanding who is responsible for what can prevent confusion and ensure a safer, smoother experience for everyone before, during, and after a storm. As a leading Community Association Management (CAM) firm, Resource Property Management (RPM) helps boards navigate these responsibilities to ensure their communities are resilient.
Q&A: The Role of the Association and the Board
Many residents and even some board members are unsure about the association’s exact duties when a hurricane is approaching. Let’s clarify.
What is the Board’s primary responsibility?
The board’s main role is to prepare, protect, and secure the association’s common areas and shared property. This involves proactive measures taken well before a storm is on the radar. Key responsibilities include:
- Reviewing the Disaster Plan: Every association should have a hurricane preparedness plan. The board should review and update this plan annually, ensuring that vendor contact information, emergency protocols, and communication strategies are current.
- Inspecting Common Elements: The board should schedule inspections of roofs, drainage systems, and landscaping. Trimming trees, clearing gutters, and securing or storing common area furniture (like pool chairs) can prevent significant damage.
- Organizing Association Documents: Ensuring easy access to crucial documents like insurance policies, vendor contracts, and a full resident roster is vital for post-storm recovery and communication.
- Establishing Communication Channels: The board should also decide how it will communicate with residents before, during, and after the storm. This may include email, text alerts, or website updates.
As an agent of the board, RPM assists in these critical areas, from helping line up qualified vendors to advising on compliance and communication best practices.
Is the association responsible for my unit?
No. The association is not responsible for preparing private property. This includes individual homes, condo units, balconies, and personal belongings. Residents are solely responsible for protecting their own property.
The Homeowner’s Checklist for Hurricane Readiness
While the board focuses on the community as a whole, residents must take individual preparations seriously.
- Secure Your Space: Bring all personal items inside, including balcony furniture, potted plants, and decorations. These can become dangerous projectiles in high winds. If you have storm shutters, ensure they are in working order and install them when advised.
- Prepare a Disaster Kit: Stock up on non-perishable food, water (one gallon per person per day), medications, batteries, flashlights, and a first-aid kit.
- Know Your Zone: Be aware of your community’s evacuation zone and have a plan for where you will go if an evacuation is ordered.
- Stay Informed: Monitor updates from local news outlets and pay close attention to communications from your association’s board.
How Resource Property Management Supports Your Board
Resource Property Management is not a traditional property manager that performs physical maintenance. Instead, we act as a partner to your board, providing the administrative, financial, and logistical support needed to lead effectively. During hurricane season, this includes:
- Vendor Coordination: We help boards secure contracts with pre-screened and insured vendors for services like tree trimming, shutter installation, and post-storm debris removal.
- Disaster Communication: We assist in distributing critical information to residents, ensuring the board’s messages are clear and timely.
- Emergency Preparedness Resources: We guide boards toward valuable resources and best practices to strengthen their disaster plans.
Stay Prepared, Stay Safe
A community that prepares together is more resilient. By understanding their respective roles, board members and residents can create a safer environment for everyone.
For more information on creating a robust disaster plan for your community, visit Resource Property Management’s Disaster Management page.
