How Property Managers Should Prep for a Storm in the Fishkill, Wappingers, Hopewell and Poughkeepsie Areas

1/23/2021 (Permalink)

Make sure your apartment building or complex is prepped and ready for a storm in any season!

Storms are liable for countless injuries across the country each year throughout the Hudson Valley. If any of those occur on a property you or your company manages, you could be facing liability if any injuries occur and substantial costs to remedy avoidable damage. Where do you even start to storm prep in the Dutchess County market?

We’ve rounded up these handy tips to get a jump on planning for severe weather at your property:

Make A Storm Plan

Every single or multi-building property or multi-unit property needs an inclusive storm preparation plan and should cover things like:

•  Disaster-relief information
•  Emergency contacts
•  Evacuation plans
•  Nearby shelters

Create your plan several months in advance as part of storm preparedness for both summer and winter occurrences. Review, get input and tweak it with your staff and colleagues, then make sure you distribute it to residents, tenants and other facilities staff. It’s wise to get feedback from residents as well, as they’re the ones who would be affected.

Always secure loose objects around the property

A powerful storm can make furniture and even garbage cans dangerous projectiles that can cause harm and damage. Inspect for anything that could be picked up by strong winds. Remove portable items to indoor storage. For stationary items like playground equipment, use tarps, ties, locks and similar securing devices to keep things in place. Trees and bushes should be trimmed regularly to prevent them from causing damage but certainly before a pending storm. Contact your landscaping company or property maintenance company so they’re prepared ahead of time as well and you won’t have to worry about when they’ll be showing up.

Supply stock

During a storm, important supplies can run out. Prepare by stocking up on essentials months before the storm season. Keep lots of water and batteries on hand, candles, matches, a first-aid kit, a battery-powered radio and non-perishable foods if possible. Don’t forget about portable phone charges or wireless chargers. It’s also a good idea to invest in a backup generator or several and the fuel they need to run. If any of your buildings have a basement or crawl space with a sump pump, be sure the back-up generator can power it promptly. Flooding becomes a major issue in storms and sump pumps are vital to keep functioning properly.

Be Clear on the Insurance Coverage, Liability and Limitations

While the policy isn’t your personal one, it’s important to be aware beforehand what the details and specifics are. As a property manager, there are people and structures, trees and safety issues that could be affected in many ways during a storm. Consult with the insurance broker as to what you should be in the know about consistently, who is responsible for what and the areas the policy pertains to, any riders or addendums that need to be revisited and that the coverage itself is more than enough.

We’ve all seen photos and news stories about how storms can be so dangerous, sometimes deadly. Being prepared can be a lifesaver. Having a storm plan, securing loose items, keeping important supplies on hand and staying abreast of insurance coverage can help keep your residents and property stay safe and overall, will help things go smoother.

In the event your property suffers storm damage, SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County is here to help. Our teams are available for emergencies 24/7 and will help make it “Like it never even happened.”