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HOA Hurricane Preparedness Security Tips Checklist

HOA Hurricane Preparedness Security Tips Checklist

Introduction

In this comprehensive HOA hurricane preparedness guide, you’ll find actionable security tips—covering pre-storm planning, resource management, communication strategies, and in-storm adjustments—to help your community stay safe and resilient.

For example, when Hurricane Milton made landfall in October 2024, it left over 3.2 million homes and businesses without power at its peak—demonstrating how quickly communities can be left in the dark and vulnerable to security risks and communication breakdowns (Reuters).

The following checklist represents the essential steps to bolster your community’s hurricane preparedness:

1. Pre-Storm Risk Assessment

  1. Contract with Security Providers Early: Reach out to your security company before hurricane season begins. Confirm guard availability within 24 hours of a storm alert—waiting until a storm is imminent could mean no available personnel.
  2. Identify Neighborhood Liaisons: Establish a roster of residents willing to serve as community contacts. These volunteers can check on neighbors, share resources, and report issues back to the HOA.
  3. Catalog Shared Resources: Maintain a simple directory or chart of communal assets (generators, wood-fire grills, extra batteries) so residents can easily borrow equipment during outages.

2. Keep the Community Informed on How to Prepare

Securing Property

  1. Install Storm Shutters: Encourage homeowners to lower shutters or board up windows. Coordinate volunteer crews or hire contractors in advance for those who need assistance.
  2. Reinforce Door Locks: Remind residents to check that entry locks are solid. Note that smart locks, Ring cameras, and other Wi‑Fi–dependent devices may fail during power outages.

Supplies Checklist

  1. Flashlights & Batteries: Provide a checklist template for flashlights, extra batteries, and headlamps.
  2. Alternative Cooking Options: Suggest charcoal or wood-fire grills. Encourage residents to stock charcoal or wood and plan for communal cooking if needed.
  3. Water Storage: Advise filling bathtubs and large containers with water—for drinking (once purified) and flushing toilets if mains water fails.
  4. Fuel for Vehicles & Generators: Remind residents to top off car tanks and store extra gas safely for generators.
  5. Non-Perishable Food: Recommend at least 5–7 days of canned and dried goods per household.

Building Neighbor Networks

  1. Resource Sharing: Promote a community network for borrowing tools, grills, or medical supplies.
  2. Check-In Plan: Create a buddy system so someone is assigned to verify the well-being and property status of out-of-town or elderly residents.

Communication &; Reporting

  1. Emergency Contacts List: Publish the security company’s 24-hour hotline in your newsletter, email alerts, and on community boards.
  2. Out-of-Town Resident Guidance: Offer tips for residents away during a disaster—balancing privacy with the need for home checks.
  3. Clear Reporting Protocols: Define how and when residents should report damage or suspicious activity, including both HOA and security-company contact information.
  4. Centralized Updates: Use email, text alerts, or a dedicated portal section to broadcast real-time status updates throughout the storm.

3. Security Adjustments During a Storm

  1. Open Gates Safely: If gates must remain open for emergency access, coordinate with your security partner to post guards at entry points. Their presence deters looting and ensures only authorized vehicles enter.
  2. Monitor Hazards: Train security personnel and residents on how to report flooding, fallen power lines, or any suspicious activity.
  3. Maintain Visibility: Even during power outages, ensure security teams carry flashlights and wear reflective gear. Schedule regular check‑ins with the HOA board to track evolving threats.

Conclusion

Thorough preparation is the best defense against hurricanes and natural disasters. By conducting a risk assessment, securing early contracts with security providers, keeping residents informed, and adjusting security plans during the storm, HOAs can significantly reduce safety risks and property damage.

For personalized preparedness consulting and security planning, contact Ballast Security at 239-790-8669 or fill out this form

At Ballast, our mission is to proactively safeguard communities and assets through vigilant crime prevention strategies, advanced security solutions, and unwavering dedication to safety, ensuring peace of mind and protection for all.
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