I’ve lived through enough hurricanes and hurricane seasons as a community association manager to know it is imperative to have my list of preferred contractors updated and ready for action if needed before, during and immediately after the crisis, for each condominium association and homeowner association that I manage. Is all this fuss about being prepared really necessary? Imagine a hurricane hits, you have not arranged for preferred contractors, your property is devastated, you make 100 calls, and no one even returns your call, they are way too busy helping their preferred community association clients. The answer is Yes!
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NOAA released its annual outlook for the upcoming hurricane season, predicting 13 to 19 named storms, including 6 to 10 hurricanes, with 3 to 5 expected to become major hurricanes, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Over the Pacific, what is known ENSO has entered a neutral phase, meaning neither El Niño nor La Niña is in control. ENSO-neutral years are notoriously unpredictable, producing everything from below-average to hyperactive hurricane seasons, depending on other variables like sea surface temperatures, wind shear and available moisture. So it comes down to are you a cautious preparer, or someone who just plays it by the seat of your pants? That decision might be OK for just you, if you own a single family residence, but for multi-family, and for community association its better be prepared. There are far too many lives at stake than just yours, if you are wrong.
Take an assessment of your severe weather service needs. Make notes and confirm you have one to service all your needs. For a more detailed ARTICLE on this subject, click here. See what you can do about confirming those relationships, either with a good hand shake or a written contract. Its your judgment, but remember this saying, promises made in a storm are seldom kept. Even less, the fact is, promises are seldom kept. Get it in writing and be willing to pay for that non-refundable retainer for their emergency response. Or you could be waiting weeks, months to get your property back in service again, and at prices that will be higher, within the law.
