AMG Offers Tips For Community Hurricane Preparedness

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In past years the Carolinas have fallen victim to devastating storms. At AMG we want to help homeowners keep their homes safe and reduce injury from storms. Hurricanes and tropical systems can cause serious damage on both coastal and inland areas. These hazards can come in many forms including: storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds and tornadoes.

To prepare for these powerful storms, AMG is encouraging families, businesses and individuals to be aware of the potential risks. You should have a community preparedness plan to prepare your home, workplace and community for the storm.  When you live in an area where hurricanes are a risk, planning is essential.

If you live in a community, your neighbors can be a great help in case of an emergency, and you can also be of service to your neighbors. Working together can help keep everyone safe. A community working together during an emergency makes sense. 

Here are some ways you can help neighbors (and they can help you) in case of a hurricane:

1. Get to know your neighbors. Think about people in your neighborhood who may need your help, for example:

·         Older people living by themselves;

·         People with physical or sensory disabilities;

·         People with a chronic illness or with a mental illness;

·         Single parents with young children;

·         Large families; 

·         People newly arrived, including tourists, refugees or immigrants.

·         Talk to your neighbors to identify those who may need assistance

If you are an HOA board member or leader of your community association, you may want to consider a community plan and how to get the information out to the residents.

  • Where to go for community resources

  • How to prep your home, closing and locking hurricane-proof windows, sealing all openings, securing rooftops and yard items

  • Emergency phone numbers

Community associations can get residents involved and working together by holding safety and preparedness events. Use the space in your association newsletter to communicate preparedness information to the residents of the community.

Here is a list of items that might be helpful in the event of a hurricane:      

·         lanterns

·         Batteries (in different sizes!)  

·         Matches 

·         First aid kit

·         Duct tape

·         Rain gear

·         candles

·         battery operated radio      

·         Clock (wind-up or battery-powered)

·         Plastic garbage bags

·         Fire extinguisher

·         Scissors

·         Can Opener

·         Clean clothes

·         Extra blankets

·         Heavy gloves

If your community association becomes aware of impending storms, it is helpful to notify residents of some home preparedness items they can obtain to prepare.

Here is a list to share with the residents of your community:

·         Remove outdoor items

·         Trim dead branches from trees

·         Board up windows

·         Fill gas tanks and extra containers

·         Get extra cash

·         Move furniture away from windows

·         Store important documents in waterproof containers

·         Extra supply of medicines

·         prepare for the needs of pets

Another great way to get your residents involved is holding a canned food drive to collect items to distribute before the big storm arrives.

Here is a list of items residents should have on hand during any emergency:

·         Bottled water (1 gallon/person/day) 

·         Bottled juice

·         Two coolers: 
        One for drinks & one for food               

·         Canned foods

·         Manual can opener

         Dry pet food

          Tweezers

·         Medic-alert tags

·         Insect-repellent sprays

·         Feminine hygiene items

·         Sunscreen

·         Soap

·         First aid kit

·         Prescription medication

          Over-the-counter medication

·         Children's medicine

·         Bandages

·         Adhesive tape

·         Antiseptic solution

·         Thermometer

If you are having an actual emergency please dial 911 immediately. Please be aware and publish all emergency contact numbers.

For more information on how AMG helps serve community associations visit our website at https://www.amgworld.com/.