It’s no secret that hurricanes are destructive, dangerous and deadly. These tips will help you prepare for the worst.
Certain locations are more at risk of severe storms, especially during hurricane season. In particular, if you live in an area that’s prone to tropical weather, it’s extra essential for apartment dwellers to know how to prepare for a hurricane in an apartment building.
We’ve gathered information about which apartment renters should evacuate for hurricanes, when to ride it out and some general hurricane safety tips. First, a little general information specific to apartments and natural disaster preparedness.
In this article:
- How do apartment communities prepare for hurricane season?
- Are high-rise apartments safe in hurricanes?
- Knowing the signs of a hurricane
- Apartment-specific hurricane preparedness tips
- Basic hurricane supplies
- Is it safe to stay in an apartment during a hurricane?
- What to do if you evacuate your apartment during a hurricane?
- Returning to your apartment after a hurricane
How do you prepare for a hurricane in an apartment building?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 for the Atlantic basin, but such storms can still happen a little before or after that in tropical areas. Some are major hurricanes, while others amount to little more than a really big thunderstorm. In the months and weeks leading up to the start of the season, responsible apartment community management does a lot of work behind the scenes to get ready for the season.
Emergency contacts and communication
One preparation effort handled by the property manager is the compilation or update of an emergency contact list, which should include local utilities, repair vendors, emergency services, government officials and corporate contacts. All staff should also know who the designated “emergency” person is, and how to reach them should things go sideways. They must also know how to communicate with each other during a storm situation, and already be assigned certain tasks to complete if the need arises.
The property manager should also review and tweak the communication methods with residents before, during and after a storm. For example, will mass texts be sent, or should residents go to the property’s website, X, etc. for updates? Some community management professionals go the extra mile by creating marketing collateral ahead of time for easy reference.
There should also be an evacuation plan in place, and an emergency contact phone number posted on the outside of the office door.
Property layouts and inventory
An up-to-date set of property plans is also helpful to have both during and after a storm. Such a plan clearly shows fire exit locations, as well as where the alarm pulls and firefighting equipment are. It also depicts gas and water shutoffs, electrical panels, mechanical equipment, elevators, how to obtain roof access and so on. This information shaves critical seconds and minutes off of response times by emergency services professionals.
The apartment community should also maintain a working inventory of property like golf carts, tools, computers, office equipment, furniture, and so on. Ideally, the equipment should have the property’s name displayed prominently.
Preventative measures for dealing with hurricanes in an apartment
Then, of course, there are actual property-specific tasks that have to happen when a storm is imminent. Board up windows, declutter the gutters and drains, drain the pool of two feet worth of water, secure loose items (like trash cans, hoses, etc.), store outdoor furniture, lock dumpsters, disconnect inside electricity, stop elevator function, etc. These steps minimize damage to the community and risk to residents.
Are high-rise apartments safe in hurricanes?
Everyone knows that small beach homes or condominiums are at serious risk during hurricanes, especially if they’re very close to the water. But what about high-rise apartment buildings? As you might expect, this is not a question with an easy answer.
On one hand, high-rise apartments that are well-engineered can withstand high winds without serious incident. In fact, if your unit is on the 10th floor or lower, winds likely aren’t an issue. However, the danger increases the higher the unit is. In fact, at the 20th story and higher the wind is an entire category more intense than it is on the ground! So, the experts say that high-rise residents should evacuate, if possible. However, if you must shelter in place, try to take cover somewhere below the 10th floor, but above areas affected by flooding.
Loss of power
The other problem with staying in a high-rise apartment during a hurricane is that it’s quite possible to get stuck. Secondary emergencies, like fires, loss of power and so on, break out all the time. It’s more difficult for emergency responders to reach people on the higher levels of apartments. Flooding can cause lower-level renters to move up higher, creating a logjam of sorts.
It can also take quite some time to get an apartment community up and running again with power following a hurricane. So, if you don’t think you’ll be comfortable sheltering with a downstairs neighbor for hours, days or even weeks, your best bet is to leave the property altogether until officials clear the area for resident return.
Although there are many variables with storms, it’s not very difficult to get hurricane-ready. It just takes a little bit of time, planning and effort. Here’s some helpful information to get you started.
Know the signs of a hurricane
The first part of hurricane preparedness is knowing the warning signs of an approaching storm. If you don’t know what to look for, you can’t prepare. It’s difficult to predict when a hurricane will strike, but typically, you’ll see some warning signs 36 to 72 hours beforehand. The signs include:
- Strong winds
- Increased ocean swell
- Dark clouds
- Flying debris
- Heavy rainfall
- Barometric pressure drop
If you live in a hurricane zone, opt to receive local alerts that’ll notify you about real-time events, warnings and evacuation plans. You can also download the FEMA app to get national weather alerts. These notifications are an important part of hurricane preparedness and hurricane safety. Depending on your location, you’ll be able to determine whether staying or leaving is your best option.
Apartment hurricane preparedness tips
Whether you live in a house, condo or apartment, some of the hurricane preparedness tips are the same.
First, shutter windows and doors. In some communities that are in areas prone to hurricane activity, the landlord may supply the shutters and might even have the shutters put up by professionals. Ensure you close your storm windows when a hurricane strikes.
Next, If you have a balcony or outdoor space, bring everything to a safer location inside your apartment so the items don’t become dangerous projectiles. Such items include patio furniture, potted plants, the grill, etc. Heavy winds can easily lift such items and toss them through windows or at people.
You’ll also want to unplug any electrical items to avoid being electrocuted. Roll up any rugs and store them in a closet or on a bed so they don’t get wet from floodwater.
As an apartment dweller, check with your property manager about the protocols to stay safe and what resources are available to you.
FEMA suggests working with neighbors ahead of time to establish an emergency fund to cover the expense of items like generators. Such tools are in common areas of the community if the power goes out, so then, everyone has at least a little bit of access to energy.
Basic supplies for hurricane safety
Part of preparation for dealing with a hurricane in an apartment building is gathering enough emergency supplies to last through the storm. You should have enough on hand for 10 days of survival. Here are some things to stock for hurricane preparedness:
- Water (one gallon per day per person) in a jug or bottled water
- Non-perishable food
- Medications
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit
- Battery-operated radio
- Rain gear
- Baby supplies (diapers, wipes, blankets)
- Pet supplies (water, food, leash)
- Blankets
- Personal documents in a water-proof safe or box, like your health insurance policies, renters insurance card, driver’s license and government documents
- A cash emergency fund
Where to store emergency supplies during a hurricane
In an apartment with limited storage, it might be tricky to find space for everything. Still, this is an important step to stay safe during a hurricane, which is why you should begin preparing as soon as you can. Carve out some space in the back of the closet or in the hall closet for emergency supplies. If you’re really pressed for space, try storing supplies behind couches, inside space-saving furniture and underneath beds.
One important emergency supply is water for sanitation and other needs. In the hours leading up to the hurricane, fill up the bathtub and washing machine. Use this water to flush toilets and for other sanitation purposes.
Is it safe to stay in an apartment during a hurricane?
Depending on the situation, there are times when it’s safer to stay in your apartment and times when it’s safer to evacuate. It’s essential to listen to local and national recommendations, as well as property management when deciding whether to stay or leave during a hurricane. Do not ignore mandatory evacuation orders! They really are in your best interest.
In general, those who live in an area marked as a “mandatory evacuation zone” will need to leave their apartment. Those that can shelter in place should do so or shelter with friends and family. Be sure to ask ahead of time if they’re OK with you bringing your three cats, though.
What to do if you evacuate your apartment during a hurricane
If you decide to evacuate during a hurricane, make sure to lock the apartment down as best you can before heading out. Close the apartment windows and shutters, bring things from the patio into the house and lock up.
Then, head to the nearest safety shelter that’s been designated in your neighborhood. If you can, bring some basic emergency supplies and food with you to the shelter that you can use and even share with others, if needed. Don’t rely on supplies being provided by the shelter as they may run out or not specific to your needs. Don’t forget to pack any necessary prescription medications. Once you’re in place, you’ll rest easy knowing that the necessities are on hand, at least.
What do you do in a hurricane when you live in an apartment?
If it’s too dangerous to leave, you need to know where to stay safe in your apartment during a hurricane. Take cover in the safest room possible during periods of high wind. Usually, in an apartment, this is an interior bedroom, bathroom, hall or closet without windows and no outside walls. If you’re on a lower floor, move upstairs to a neighbor’s unit if floodwaters are approaching. Higher ground is critical to avoid storm surges. If you’re on a higher floor (above the 10th), move down a few stories.
If conditions become extremely dangerous while dealing with a hurricane in an apartment building, you may need to consider going to a local shelter. To find your nearest hurricane shelter, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 4FEMA (43362) and download the FEMA mobile app.
When staying at home, you’ll want to plan for the worst and assume you’ll be on your own without contact, power, outside food or help from anyone else. Make sure to have enough basic supplies on hand to keep you safe during a hurricane, while sheltering from the storm and in the days afterward.
Think about where you parked your car
You may want to park your car in a different location than you typically do because the apartment parking lot isn’t safe. Assess the location of your car, and determine if it’s likely to suffer damage by floods or falling debris. Then, move it to a safe location if you’re able.
Also, consider keeping some emergency supplies in your car, too. If you need to drive away from your apartment during a mandatory evacuation, you’ll want to have supplies to use in your car on the move. Make sure to have a full tank of gas when hurricane warnings are in effect.
Returning to your apartment after a storm
Once the storm is over, you’ll be anxious to return to your apartment and assess the flood or other damage. However, don’t return to your apartment unless it’s been deemed safe by local officials or law enforcement. Falling limbs, other debris, downed power lines and other hazards have get cleaned up first. It’s also possible that the structural integrity of your building is dangerous, so wait for the all-clear on that.
During and after the storm, never approach floodwaters if at all possible, as they are likely electrically charged or contaminated. If you happen to approach floodwaters while driving, follow the advice of the experts and, “turn around, don’t drown.” Immediately exit the vehicle and head for higher ground if you become stuck in floodwaters.
When you return to your apartment, document the damage, take pictures and make notes of everything for renters insurance purposes. Make sure it’s safe to turn on the gas again and check for gas leaks. Be careful plugging things into an electrical outlet as they are still wet from the storm. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe yet to do something or not, err on the side of caution and wait.
Find out about hurricane insurance coverage
Knowing what your insurance covers before disaster strikes your apartment can help you navigate the process more smoothly in case of an emergency. If you have renters insurance, consult your policy or agency representative to see what is and is not covered. In some cases, you may need to add extra hurricane coverage to your policy.
Some things are also likely covered by the owners of your apartment so review the terms of your lease and talk to the owners to find out what they’ll repair. There’s no need to fork over your hard-earned cash if the apartment community is willing to pay for it!
Be community-minded when facing a hurricane in an apartment building
As we mentioned earlier, you may want to buddy up with a neighbor to ride out the storm if you’re dealing with a hurricane in an apartment building. But it’s also important that you know your neighbors so you can contact them in case of an emergency. This is especially critical in the case of neighbors who need extra help or are more vulnerable, such as the sick or elderly. You should do your best to stick with your community and help each other out.
Before a hurricane hits, knock on their door and make sure they have a stocked emergency kit. Clean up their outdoor space if they’re not physically able and perform any other basic hurricane preparedness chores. Offer to shelter with them during the storm, and don’t forget to keep tabs on vulnerable neighbors in the days after a hurricane hits. Take them food, make phone calls on their behalf and just generally be a good neighbor!
Make hurricane preparedness a priority
If you live in a hurricane zone, it’s important to know the local risks and the terms of mandatory evacuation and also have in place a hurricane preparedness plan, especially if you’re in an apartment community. While you can’t control the storm, you can control your preparation and response to dealing with a hurricane in an apartment building.
