U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler – a New York Democrat who, as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is overseeing the presidential impeachment hearings – has somehow found the time to co-sponsor a piece of legislation that has nothing to do with Donald Trump but has huge implications for co-ops, condominiums, and homeowners’ associations (HOAs). Read […]
Communication and Training Are Key Before Disaster Strikes (NY)
In New York City, there are numerous safety regulations governing commercial buildings and hotels, but they do not apply to co-ops, condos, or other residential buildings. Where commercial tenants practice drills and listen to safety directors on a regular basis, the residential sector is required only to pass out the Fire and Emergency Preparedness Guide. […]
How Co-op and Condo Boards Can Prepare for the Next Disaster (NY)
Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, and preparing for them seems daunting. It’s a big deal. The goal of emergency preparedness is to get a building back up and running as quickly as possible, to minimize any damage to the building, and ensure the safety and security of all the residents and building staff. […]
Residents call for immediate action on flooding at Kingwood town hall (TX)
About 400 residents filled the Kingwood Community Center to let Kingwood and Houston officials know their concerns about persistent flooding problems during Houston council member Dave Martin’s town hall on Oct. 17. Read the article……………………….
Caught between 2 HOAs, homeowners fret (AZ)
More than three years have passed since the Maricopa County Flood Control District and the City of Phoenix labeled a mountainside in the Tapestry Canyon area of Ahwatukee a hazard. Citing “erosion and sediment hazards,” the April 2016 report lists the mountainside behind East Dry Creek Road and S. 14th Way among 39 Ahwatukee areas […]
How Communities Can Rebuild after a Flood
Tropical storm Imelda battered much of Southeast Texas with heavy rains. More than 40 inches of rain fell in just over 72 hours in Jefferson County, which is 80 miles east of Houston along the coast, according to the National Weather Service, making it the seventh wettest tropical cyclone in U.S. history. The storm left […]
Managing Recovery Efforts after a Hurricane
A fter battering the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc on the Carolinas bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and leaving more than 200,000 people without power, according to The New York Times. As residents begin to rebuild after Hurricane Dorian, disaster recovery is usually an incremental and extended process. Here are […]
Here’s when to take down hurricane shutters, plywood off the windows (FL)
Like mowing the lawn and taking out the trash, shuttering a home ahead of hurricane is a way of life for Treasure Coast residents. Hurricane Dorian proved predictions can be a gamble regardless how closely meteorologists count the cards. It also showed shutters are a necessary evil of life in the tropics. Read the article………………………..
When Disaster Strikes: What Does Your Community Association Cover?
Whether it’s a natural occurrence like a wildfire or earthquake or an avoidable catastrophe like flooding from a burst pipe, when major damage affects your home or property it can be tough determine where to turn for help and advice or how to determine the responsibility of the owner vs. association. In this article, we’ll […]
River Authority Announces Four Texas Lakes Will Be Drained To Prevent Floodgate Failure
Four Texas lakes will be “dewatered” by the end of September, according to the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority. The GBRA has set Sept. 16 as the start date to drain the area lakes to prevent the collapse of floodgates and to protect public safety. Officials estimate the water will go down 12 feet, depending on the […]
Guidelines for Removing Debris in Community Associations with Private Roads
Hurricane season is here. Now is the time for your community to take steps to ensure debris removal in your community is eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. As your community association braces for hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters, there are steps you should take now to increase the possibility of getting […]
Fort Lauderdale high-rise seniors prepare for ‘disaster’: Without water, many have no air conditioning (FL)
Fort Lauderdale’s large senior population showed increasing concern on Thursday after learning their water supply would be cut off. The concern centered not only on the lack of drinking water, but also on their buildings’ air conditioner reliance on water. “It is a disaster, to be without water,” said Pio Ieraci, president of the Galt […]
Hurricane Preparedness and Loss Mitigation for Community Associations (FL)
From Hurricane Andrew to Hurricane Irma, the State of Florida has endured numerous destructive storms that foreshadow greater potential for destruction in the future. As evidenced by the fact that many community associations are still recovering from Hurricane Irma, communities should seek help now to ensure proper planning for the next natural disaster. Read the article………………….
Don’t Jump Without a Parachute! Understanding Community Association Insurance Needs (NC)
In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, many Community Associations located in the Eastern part of the state had a rude awakening when they discovered they didn’t have the right amount and/or proper type of insurance coverage. Read the article……………………..
Protecting Your Home from Floods (NC)
The concept of flood zones has been changing as more areas which historically haven’t flooded have begun seeing more instances of water intrusion whether it be from rain, nearby bodies of water or a combination of both. There are more than 20,000 communities in the United States which have been placed into a category of […]
California neighborhoods prepare for wildfires with help from federal program
The harsh reality of fire-prone California has caused a kind of awakening in Jackson Oaks, a woodsy hillside community in Santa Clara County surrounded by dry oak-dotted grasslands. Read the article……………………..
Give Your Community the Gift of Emergency Preparedness
Creating an emergency preparedness plan that helps your condo or homeowners association prepare for the worst could be the most valuable 40 hours you spend volunteering — if a disaster strikes your area. Learn how to combine your organizational and analytical skills with online resources to protect your neighbors during an emergency. Read the article……………………
Lessons from Hurricane Florence (NC)
Many in the Carolinas are still catching their breath after Hurricane Florence, even as we enter into another season of hurricane preparedness. Here at CAMS, we’re taking what we’ve learned and adding it to our playbook containing 30 years of best practices in professional community association management — what to do, and perhaps more importantly […]
Hurricane Preparedness: What Associations Need to Know
Hurricane preparedness is a significant undertaking for every community association in Florida. Being well prepared — and well informed — can determine whether association boards and their managers will sink or swim in the aftermath of a storm. Here are some helpful tips to enable associations to stay ahead of the 2019 hurricane season, which […]
New FEMA podcast on building fire-adapted communities
Today, FEMA released the podcast “Advancing Wildfire Resilience through the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network.” Since 2013, the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FAC Net) has connected and supported people and communities who are striving to live more safely with wildfire. FAC Net serves as a catalyst for spreading best practices and innovations in fire […]
Property managers learn new ways to prepare for hurricane season (NC)
Community Associations Institute NC hosted an Emergency Preparedness Down East meeting in downtown Wilmington Wednesday. Community managers and board member attending the event learned how to better prepare their communities for disasters and emergencies. Read the article……………………..
Stay Prepared Even If You ARE NOT in a Flood Zone: A Proactive Approach to Protecting Your Property
Mother Nature is often very unpredictable. Just because you don’t live in a flood zone doesn’t mean you are safe without flood insurance. Depending upon the terms of your homeowner’s policy, your property may not be covered in the event of a flood. Even renter’s need to take caution when it comes to flooding and […]
Disaster Prepared
Tornadoes. Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Mudslides. Floods. Blizzards. Droughts. Tsunamis. Wildfires.… And I’m sure that’s not even all the natural disasters world citizens have to be worried about! It sounds like fear-mongering, but it’s true: staying prepared for disasters can be lifesaving, so don’t get caught without a plan. Stay prepared … Stay alive. See the list […]
Fire Prevention, Preparedness & Recovery
Fire prevention and preparation are crucial to decreasing the number of injuries and deaths from this disaster. In 2012, there were 2,855 deaths and 16,500 injuries across the United States related to fires.1 To combat this, people need to be educated in responses and steps to take to avoid or respond to fire, should it […]
Home Preparation Tips for Weather Emergencies
Homes and families in different parts of the country can be at risk for tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, or severe winter weather such as blizzards and ice storms. It is important to be aware of the potential risks to your home and be prepared to protect your family in the event of a weather-related emergency. […]
It’s hurricane season: This is what you need to do before, during, and after a disaster
Fourteen named storms—including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes—are expected to form during the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1. The Weather Company expects the season to be slightly less active than last year but warns that residents along the coastal U.S. should be prepared no matter the forecast. Read the article…………………..
Hurricane Shutter Law Explored (FL)
Q: A friend of mine owns a townhome in a coastal community in Florida. He asked the HOA board if they can come up with a storm shutter policy under Florida Statute 718.113. The board replied that the HOA is not a condo HOA, based on the declaration, hence 718.113 does not apply. Is there […]
Hurricane and Monsoon Season is Here – Is Your Community Prepared for a Disaster?
Hurricane and monsoon season officially starts in early June, which means now is the perfect time to make sure that your community is properly prepared. Below are tips and some guides for your community, both to help your Association and your Residents to be prepared. Read the article………………………
How to Prepare Your Community for a Wildfire
Every year, more and more people are forced to flee their homes because of wildfires. These fires have been growing in both size and frequency, and today more than 4 million U.S. households are located in areas that are under extreme wildfire danger. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to help protect your […]
Florence flooded their homes, so they’re rebuilding. Now a billion-dollar bridge looms (NC)
While still overcoming a natural disaster that severely flooded their homes, residents of Stoney Creek, Snee Farm, Planters Walk, and The Farms at Snowfield in Leland are now fighting for a voice in Cape Fear Crossing. Read the article…………………………
Preparing Your Community Association’s Landscaping for Hurricane Season (FL)
There are two constants every summer in South Florida: high temperatures and hurricane season. As Floridians know, hurricanes can cause some serious damage to our landscapes if preventative measures aren’t taken. It is the responsibility of the Board and Property Manager to prepare a community’s landscaping to mitigate any possible damages. The following are some […]
Protecting your Community Association during Hurricanes (FL)
For everyone who calls beautiful Central Florida home, hurricanes and other dangerous storms are a reality that we must respect and adequately prepare for this time of year. As a reminder, hurricane season officially ranges from June 1st through November 30th and the purpose of this article is to help our condominium and homeowners’ associations […]
Community Association Emergency Preparedness
We all hope that our home, community, coworkers, and friends never need to implement an emergency action plan. However, it makes more sense to be completely prepared for the possibility rather than try to figure out what to do in the middle of confusion and fear. Unfortunately, most communities do not have any plan in […]
What You Need to Know About Hail Storms, Damage, and Your HOA
Mother Nature is unpredictable when it comes to damaging storms. What may look like just a threatening cloud may produce damaging hail. Protecting your HOA from damage and reviewing your insurance policies is important no matter where you live. When a hail storm strikes, you’ll be better prepared when it comes to dealing with the […]
Disaster planning to be required for new condos (HI)
In Hawaii we tend to focus on disaster preparation for hurricane season, from June through November. However, we all know that a disaster of any kind can happen at any time. A new proposal would require new condominiums to have disaster plans in place before they are needed. Some disasters can be predicted, like when […]
6-Steps to Prepare Your Homeowners Association for an Earthquake
You can never predict an earthquake, but you can plan and prepare for one. Maintaining awareness of your insurance coverage in the event of an earthquake is a simple but effective way to help a homeowners association mitigate damages when an earthquake does occur. In this post, we’ll look at 6 tips on how to […]
Hurricane Insurance Claims for Condominium Associations,
There is a lot of information on how associations can prepare for hurricanes but much less information as to what happens after the hurricane, particularly as it pertains to insurance claims. A question that managers and board members need to consider is, what is required after a hurricane to ensure compliance with your insurance policy […]
Resident Says HOA Restricted Family from Having FEMA Trailer (FL)
Hurricane Michael damaged hundreds of homes in the Panhandle. Now, some residents are receiving FEMA trailers while they repair their property. “I’m hoping to have somewhere to live, I’m hoping to have somewhere to stay,” said Brylecia Micalin, Bay County resident. A FEMA trailer has been set up on Micalin’s property so that her family […]
Wildfires may soon be uninsurable risks for homeowners
Homeowners in wildfire-prone areas of California and other Western states now have yet another worry: Insurers have issued an ominous warning that they could be facing a “wildfire deductible” in coming years or, even worse, the prospect of having their home insurance canceled altogether. Read the article………………..
Homeowner Association didn’t have quake insurance, residents of condemned Eagle River condos say (AK)
An Eagle River homeowner association was not carrying earthquake insurance when the 7.0 magnitude temblor struck on Nov 30., despite that insurance being a requirement of the homeowners’ agreement, residents say. The damage caused by the earthquake will potentially cost tens of thousands of dollars for each of the 42 condominium owners.River’s Edge Condos sits […]
Residents poke fun at Somersett Owners Association for demanding Christmas decor come down (NV)
Dan Rowan’s suspects Elf on the Shelf may be to blame for the holiday decorations that violate his homeowner’s association. Rowan, a local optometrist who lives on Deerbrook Court in Somersett, received a letter informing him that his holiday decorations had to come down. Rowan and neighbor Tierra Bonaldi, added the 6 foot by 10 […]
Preparing Your Community for Emergencies: Readiness Is Everything
Planning for a rainy day is pretty easy. Have an extra umbrella handy or a waterproof coat, and you’re probably fine. Planning for the rainiest day ever, on the other hand, is significantly more daunting. Especially if during that day there’s also a fire, an earthquake, or a tornado. It may sound like exaggeration, but […]
Alabama Condo Complex Earns IBHS’ First-Ever Hurricane Gold Designation
Local developers in coastal Alabama that utilized Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) FORTIFIED Commercial construction standards in the design of a coastal condominium complex and earned the first-ever FORTIFIED Commercial–Hurricane Gold. Read the article………………….
“People are pissed”: Residents of Aurora’s Heather Gardens demand answers after deadly gas explosion (CO)
Angry residents overflowed the Heather Gardens clubhouse in Aurora Tuesday to demand answers about a gas-leak explosion Friday night that killed an 82-year-old resident and leveled multiple homes. They left even angrier after receiving precious little information from Aurora Fire Rescue and their own community leaders. Read the article………………….
HOA Homefront: How communities can prepare for and deal with disaster
An unfortunate reality is that sometimes our communities are confronted with disaster. And whether it’s an earthquake, wildfire or another calamity, all can transform a community within a few hours. Planning for the unthinkable can improve an association’s recovery prospects. Here are some tips Read the article………………..
Reigning in Chaos at a Disaster Scene: Tips for the Property Manager
If you are the property manager of a multi-unit residential building, you have no doubt developed a plan for emergency or disaster situations. Fires, flooding, storms, tornados, and hurricanes can wreak havoc on a multi-unit residential complex. The chaos that immediately follows can cause a ripple effect on survival and business continuity. Read the […]
High Anxiety
As parts of Florida still recover from Hurricane Irma, community association leaders wonder whether they are prepared for the disruption and expense of the next big storm. Read the article………………
Hurricane Florence: Will FEMA help your community?
As community association managers and boards of directors prepare their residents for Hurricane Florence, they are burdened with the knowledge that the Federal Emergency Management Agency likely will not be there to support disaster recovery in their community. That’s because FEMA classifies community association streets as private and won’t remove debris without prior approval. […]
Community Associations Prepare for Hurricane Florence
Community association homeowners in the path of Hurricane Florence are readying disaster preparedness plans. Florence is forecasted to make landfall between South Carolina and North Carolina as a Category 3 or 4 storm late Thursday night or Friday morning and could stall over the region, bringing catastrophic flooding similar to what the Houston area experienced […]
Live in a condo? Here’s what you should do before severe weather hits
The higher you live in a condominium, the stronger the wind will be during a storm. So if your condo has a balcony, patio or lanai, clear it of loose items. “Things that are being dislodged at height from a building will become wind borne debris missiles that can strike other portions of your building […]