Southfork Hurricane Prep
Hurricane Season is Here, are you ready?
HOA Hurricane Readiness
MANUFACTURED HOME STORM PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
Atlantic 2-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook
BEFORE THE STORM: Home Preparation
SECURE YOUR COMMUNITY
Even if your community has maintenance staff, it’s yourresponsibility to prepare your community.
• Preparedness Team: Establish a Community
Preparedness Team to coordinate community
preparedness efforts, especially those suggested below.
• In-Park Shelter: Have your community center inspected
by a structural engineer or emergency management
official to see if it could serve either as a shelter or as
a “Return Home” coordination center. Investigate the
possibility of having a back-up generator installed.
• “Return Home” Plan: Have your community develop a
“Return Home” plan. A “Return Home” plan reduces the
confusion and chaos associated with trying to return to
your community after a natural disaster. Such a plan
should include instructions on when to return, where to
return (i.e. clubhouse?), and whom to contact (name and
cell phone number).
• Community Hazard Assessment: Inspect your
common areas to identify potential storm hazards,
such as dead tree limbs, bird baths, statues, lawn
equipment, grills, etc. Develop a plan to have those
hazards removed.
• Community Insurance: Evaluate any community
insurance needs. (see Before the Storm: Insurance).
• Evacuation Team: Establish a Community Evacuation
Team. (see Before the Storm: Safety
BEFORE THE STORM: Insurance
REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE
• Extent of Coverage: Know the type of coverage you
have, such as:
√ Stated Amount – Specifies what you will recover at the
time of a total loss based upon the agreement made in
your application. If your home needs repair or replacement, this type of policy does not take depreciation of
the home into consideration. Insurance companies usually offer this type of policy for newer model homes.
√ Actual Cash Value – Pays the amount needed to replace
a home after it is depreciated. These policies usually feature lower premiums.
√ Replacement Cost – Pays for the replacement of a
damaged or destroyed home without deducting for
depreciation.
Be sure you know if your homeowner’s policy covers only
your home, your lot, or both. Be aware that your mortgage insurance may cover ONLY the outstanding principal.
• Windstorm & Hail Damage: Your homeowner’s policy
may NOT cover windstorm or hail damage. Remember,
Florida law PROHIBITS insurance companies from issuing
windstorm damage policies on homes not anchored per
state codes (see Before the Storm: Construction).
• Hurricane Deductibles: Your windstorm damage insurance typically has a seperate and higher deductible for
hurricane-related damage, which can be in the form of a
higher stated amount or as a percentage of your home’s
value. Legislation passed in 2004 limits your hurricane
deductible to one (1) per hurricane season.
• Flood Insurance: Damage caused by flooding is NOT
covered by most homeowner’s policies, and you may need
flood insurance even if you do not live in a flood zone.
Remember, flood insurance policies take effect 30 days
AFTER purchase, so act now. For more information
contact the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
office at (888) 379-9531 or visit their website at
www.FloodSmart.gov.
• Personal Property: Make sure your property insurance
covers loss due to windstorms and floods and select the
appropriate replacement options (i.e. Cash Value vs.
Replacement Cost). Inventory your personal property
using a video camera or dated photographs. Include
serial numbers, costs, and purchase dates. Attach any
receipts to the inventory information. REMEMBER, some
items (jewelry, heirlooms, collectibles, etc.) may require
additional coverage.
• Additional Living Expenses: Carefully read the
restrictions placed upon “Additional Living Expenses” in
your policy; the expenses covered may be limited as to
type, amount, or duration (Hotel? Food? Rental car?).
• Life & Auto: Make sure your beneficiaries are up-to-date
on your life insurance policy and that your automobile
insurance covers windstorm and flood-related claims.
• Contact Information: Write down the name of your
insurance company, agent, agency or underwriter, and
policy number. Keep this information with you at all times.
• Timing: Insurance companies will not accept new
applications for insurance or requests to increase coverage
once a hurricane is within a certain distance from Florida.
• Discounts: Florida law authorizes insurance companies to
discount annual premiums up to 10% for homeowners
who provide proof of inspection of their tie-downs.
REVIEW COMMUNITY
INSURANCE COVERAGE
• Resident Owned Communities (ROC): Remember, it’s
your responsibility to insure commonly owned areas.
These include, but are not limited to, the following:
√ Community center (and its contents)
√ Pools
√ Offices
√ Recreational facilities
√ Church/chapel
√ Other common property
• Rental Communities: Verify with park management that
your amenities are covered.
ADDITIONAL INSURANCE RESOURCES
• Citizens – Insurance of Last Resort: If you can’t find
insurance from any other source, contact the Citizens
Property Insurance Corporation. Citizens is a private group
of companies authorized by the Florida Legislature to provide coverage for those who can’t find insurance anywhere
else. Contact Citizens at (888) 685-1555 or visit their
website at www.CitizensFla.com.
• Office of Insurance Regulation: For additional
information or to order informational materials, contact
the Florida Department of Financial Services Office of
Insurance Regulation (OIR) at (800) 342-2762 or visit
their website at www.FLDFS.com.
BEFORE THE STORM: Insurance
BEFORE THE STORM: Safety – Plan to Evacuate
Safety is the most important part of storm preparedness. Please remember that no matter how good your
tie-downs are or how complete your insurance coverage is, EVACUATION is the best plan to save your life!
DEVELOP YOUR EVACUATION PLAN
• Host Homes: Emergency management agencies recommend you arrange a “Host Home” outside the evacuation zone. A host home is the home of a friend or family
member who has agreed to provide temporary shelter
for you and your family. Try to arrange more than one
host home.
• Public Shelters: Public Emergency Shelters should be
your LAST RESORT in an evacuation. You will have no
privacy, limited space, and meals may not be provided.
Your temporary “home” will be a gymnasium floor or
public hallway, and emergency management officials
must give you permission to leave! If you MUST use a
public shelter, identify two shelters nearby, preferably in
different directions from your home.
• Evacuation Routes: Contact your local emergency
management office to identify your safest evacuation
route. Remember, bridges are often the first roads to
be closed! Be prepared to drive 20 to 50 miles to reach
a safe place (see Hurricane Watch).
• Avoid Flood Prone Roads: Make sure your evacuation
route avoids flood prone roads and bridges where possible. Standing water may be deeper than you think, and
shallow moving water can carry away your vehicle (with
YOU inside!).
• Special Needs: If you have special medical or transportational needs, contact your county emergency
management office and ask for information about their
special needs evacuation assistance. Many counties
provide transportation to specially equipped public
shelters.
• Communication Plan: Ask an out-of-state relative or
friend to serve as your “family contact.” Make sure everyone in your family knows the name, address, and phone
number of the contact person.
• Pets: Only SERVICE animals are allowed in shelters. Ask
your vet, local animal shelter, or local humane society
about shelter options. Consider placing your pet in a
boarding facility outside the evacuation zone. Bring
leashes, carriers, bowls, cat litter/box, medical records,
toys, bedding and enough food, water, and medications
(dosage/schedule) for two weeks. Register your pet and
make sure the tag is secure and visible.
DEVELOP YOUR COMMUNITY PLAN
• Evacuation Team: Establish a Community Evacuation
Team to assist with evacuation efforts.
• Buddy System: Make arrangements with your
neighbors to check with one another before they
leave to ensure everyone has a way to get to a shelter.
If possible, arrange carpools (see Special Needs)
PREPARE YOUR EVACUATION KIT
Prepare your Evacuation Kit NOW! Time and supplies
run dangerously low as storms approach. Make sure the
following items are available/organized for quick access
before the storm approaches:
• Food/Water Items
√ Water Containers – Plan for at least 1 gallon per
person per day (gather plastic gallon jugs, clean
thoroughly, leave open to dry)
√ Non-perishable food and snacks for 1 week
√ Manual can opener, utility knife, cooler
• Communication Items
√ Telephone w/cord (cordless telephones won’t work
without power)
√ Cell phone & charger (auto and home charger,
use cell phone sparingly to preserve battery life)
√ Weather radio* (battery-operated, NOAA-approved)
• Personal Items
√ Suitable clothing (1 change per person, also rain gear
and work clothes/gloves/shoes)
√ Personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, deodorant,
dental/denture care, etc.)
√ Bedding (sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, sheets, pads)
√ Entertainment (books, puzzles, stationery)
• Health and Safety
√ Alarm clock (battery or manual)*
√ Flashlights (1 per person)*
√ 2 butane lighters
√ First aid kit (sunscreen, bug repellent, anti-diarrhea)
√ Essential medication, prescriptions & dosage info
√ Medic Alert, Medicare, and insurance identification
√ Extra eyeglasses/contacts and prescription
√ Update vaccinations (particularly tetanus)
√ Camera (disposable & waterproof)
√ Trash bags (large, heavy duty)
√ 5-gallon bucket w/lid & bleach (emergency toilet)
• Documents: Make copies of important documents, keep
the copies with you, and store the originals in a safe,
secure location, such as a safe deposit box located outside any flood zone. At a minimum, include:
√ Deeds, titles, wills
√ Insurance policies (life, health, home, auto)
√ Medical records/prescriptions
√ Identification (birth certificate, passport, etc.)
√ Billing statement from each source
(mortgages, loans, credit cards, etc.)
Consider storing family photos with your documents in
air-tight storage bags.
* Bring chargers and extra batteries for ALL equipment
(radios, flashlights, hearing aids, wheelchairs, etc.)
DURING THE STORM: Evacuate!
Even if an evacuation order is NOT issued, consider evacuating anyway. If you are not in an evacuation zone, most Florida
counties REQUIRE manufactured home owners to evacuate when ANY hurricane-related evacuation order is given. Even
tropical storm-force winds can topple/destroy a manufactured home.
DURING A WATCH
A hurricane WATCH is issued if hurricane force winds
ARE POSSIBLE within the next 36 hours.
GENERAL PREPARATIONS
• Listen to radio or television for progress reports.
• Plug-in/charge all battery operated devices (where
applicable) and replace old batteries in non-chargeable
devices.
• Review your evacuation plan.
• Check your “Evacuation Kit” and gather missing items.
• Contact family members to coordinate storm preparations.
• Notify your host home(s) and your family contact that
you may need to evacuate.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings.
Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
• Fuel car & fill propane tanks.
• Withdraw cash for one week of expenses.
• Protect your valuables. Move any items of value
away from windows; place them in a safe deposit box,
or take them with you.
• Place your important documents in waterproof bags
or containers.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, wind
chimes, bird feeders, garden tools & grills, and anchor
objects that cannot be brought inside, including
WATER PREPARATIONS
Water & sewer service may be disrupted for
extended periods after a hurricane strike.
• Fill your cleaned water containers.
• Prepare bathtubs (scrub, rinse with PLAIN bleach,
rinse with clean water, let dry) and fill with water.
YOU CAN LEAVE EARLY!
REMEMBER: You can always evacuate BEFORE
an evacuation order is given. Doing so will
help ensure that you arrive at your storm-safe
location without delay.
DURING A WARNING
A hurricane WARNING is issued when hurricane force
winds WILL OCCUR within the next 24 hours.
EVACUATE!
• If an evacuation order is issued,
ALL MANUFACTURED HOME RESIDENTS
MUST EVACUATE.
• Notify your host home(s) and your family
contact that you ARE evacuating.
• Bring pre-assembled “Evacuation Kit.”
• Bring address book and list of important phone
numbers (include family contact information).
• Bring driver’s license, photo I.D.
and proof of address.
• Manually shut off your water and gas supply.
• Lock up and leave.
• Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out
bridges. Standing water may be deeper than you
think, and shallow moving water can carry away
your vehicle (with YOU inside!).
• Go to predetermined “Host Home”
(or public shelter if absolutely necessary).
• Notify your prearranged family contact when
you arrive at a storm-safe location
AFTER THE STORM: Safety
Remember! Most storm-related injuries and deaths occur during the storm RECOVERY period.
• Stay Safe!: After a natural disaster, neither the police nor
emergency medical services will be available for days or
weeks. As such, you will receive no assistance if you are
injured or if you are the victim of a crime after a natural
disaster.
• Returning Home: Stay tuned to local radio stations for
information and return home ONLY after authorities advise
that it is safe to do so. Have picture I.D. with current address.
Go directly to your property. Local authorities may allow
you to return home to gather belongings and then require
you to leave.
• Driving: Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads
and standing water. You may end up stranded and rescue
crews will not be available.
• First Aid: Carry a first aid kit if you can. Give first aid
where appropriate. Help injured or trapped persons.
Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are
in immediate danger. If possible, call for help.
• Clean Up: Use sun protection and wear safe work clothes.
Get help moving heavy or large objects and operate only
equipment that you are trained to use. Do not attempt
electrical repairs and NEVER hook a generator into a home
power system or meter.
• Hidden Dangers: Enter your home with caution and
make sure the structure is stable before entering. NEVER
touch downed or dangling lines and avoid areas that have
natural gas smells. Report either to the utility company,
police, or fire department. Beware of snakes, insects, and
animals driven to higher ground and do not walk in water
or over piles of debris.
• Water: If you exhaust your personal water supply and your
local water supply is not available or is contaminated, there
are three acceptable water purification methods:
√ Boiling (rolling boil, 10 minutes);
√ Chlorination (8 drops PLAIN chlorine bleach per gallon, let
stand 30 minutes);
√ Purification Tablets (found in stores, follow directions).
• Food: If electrical service was interrupted, all refrigerated
foods must be discarded. If your home was flooded, discard all dry goods (they’ll be contaminated by flood
waters) and disinfect food cans with bleach after removing
paper labels (which harbor germs).
• Emergency Toilet: Create an emergency toilet by lining
a 5 gallon bucket w/ a large trash bag, place 1/4 cup of
bleach in the bottom. Keep lid on firmly.
• Communication: Use telephones only for emergency
calls, but make sure others know your location at all times
and do not work alone.
AFTER THE STORM: Insurance
• Claim Notification: Notify your insurance company or
agent as soon as possible if your home has been destroyed
or significantly damaged.
• Claim Coordination: Work closely with your insurance
company to evaluate damage before you make permanent
repairs. Take pictures of the damage to your house and its
contents for insurance claims.
• Temporary Repairs: Homeowners are typically required
to make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to
the home and contents. Document repairs with
photos/videos and keep all receipts.
• Records: Give copies of your personal property inventory, cancelled checks, invoices, etc. to your adjuster to
help the adjuster assess the value of damaged property.
• Property Disposal: Do not dispose of damaged personal
property before an insurance adjuster has examined the
property.
• Additional Living Expenses: If your policy covers
“Additional Living Expenses” (hotel, car rental, food, etc.),
keep receipts from covered living expenses to expedite
reimbursement.
• Unlicensed Adjusters: Always verify that adjusters are
licensed; contact the Florida Department of Insurance
(FDOI). Do not pay any adjuster UP FRONT. That is not
an authorized practice.
• Adjusters: There are three types of adjusters:
√ Company (employed by insurance company);
√ Independent (typically under contract with your insurance
company); and
√ Public (typically self-employed, paid from a NEGOTIATED
percentage of your settlement).
Be aware of the type of adjuster inspecting your property
and how that will affect your claim.
• Claim Denial: If your home has not been secured as
required by law, your insurance company cannot deny a
claim under an existing policy for that reason (see Before
the Storm: Construction). [FS 320.8325(3)(b)]
• Settlement Dispute: If you believe your claim has been
unfairly denied, your policy may require mediation or arbitration before a civil lawsuit can be filed. In any case, contact the FDOI for assistance/advice.
• No Flood Coverage: If you do not have flood insurance,
contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) Disaster Helpline at (800) 621-3362 or (800)
462-7585 (TTY) to see what assistance is available.
• Citizens Policy Holders: If your insurance is with
Citizens, make temporary repairs as necessary to prevent
further loss, keeping all receipts for reimbursement.
Immediately report your claim to the Hurricane Hotline
at (866) 411-2742
AFTER THE STORM: Construction & Home Repair
Do’s & Don’ts
of Hiring a Contractor
Do’s
•Employ only licensed and insured
contractors/roofers.
• Ask others for recommendations,
and check the contractor’s record
with your Better Business Bureau.
• Get written estimates from three
different contractors.
• Get a copy of the final,
signed contract.
• Make the final payment only after
satisfactory completion of work.
• Have any contract/loan document
reviewed before you sign.
Don’ts
• Use your home as security for
a home repair loan. You could
lose your home.
• Automatically choose the lowest
bidder; consider all factors.
• Pay for the entire job up-front.
• Pay a deposit until you’ve checked
the contractor’s record.
• Pay a deposit that is more than
one-third of the total cost.
• Pay in cash
HOME HAZARD SURVEY
Identify the hazards listed below, but always follow the After the Storm:
Personal Safety suggestions.
• Structural Damage: Inspect buildings for structural damage
before you enter, but beware of floor damage, home shifting
(off foundation), and exposed, sharp metal and glass. Document
damage with photos and develop a list of needed repairs.
• Gas Leaks: If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave the
building, turn off the gas at the main valve if possible, and call
the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas,
a professional must turn it back on.
• Electrical System Damage: If you see sparks or broken or frayed
wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main
fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the
fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
• Sewer and Water Line Damage: If you suspect sewage lines are
damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes
are damaged, contact the water company and avoid tap water.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
• Solicitation & Canvassing: Beware of anyone coming to your
home uninvited and offering to do home repairs, and beware of
individuals canvassing your neighborhood in unmarked vehicles.
Consumer fraud is very common immediately following a natural
disaster.
• Unlicensed Contractors: DO NOT hire unlicensed contractors!
To verify that a contractor is licensed or to obtain a list of licensed
contractors, contact the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety &
Motor Vehicles Bureau of Mobile Home/RV Construction at
(850) 617-3004 or visit the Storm Section of www.FMO.org Select
“Before the Storm”, then Home Preparation & Construction. Then
select “Licensed Installers”.
• Roofers & Contractors: Beware of roofers and contractors that:
√ Sell services door-to-door.
√ Are not known in your community.
√ Offer discount prices because they have material “left-over”
from another job.
√ Encourage you to spend a lot of money on temporary repairs.
√ Rush you into signing a contract.
√ Charge for estimates.
RESOURCES & CONTACTS
Florida Dept. of Community Affairs
Division of Emergency Management
(850) 413-9900 / www.FloridaDisaster.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA Disaster Assistance
(800) 621-3362 / TTY (800) 462-7585
www.FEMA.govSmall Business Admin. Disaster Loans
(800) 659-2955 / www.SBA.gov
Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs
(800) 963-5337 / www.ElderAffairs.state.fl.us
Florida Division of Emergency Management:
(850) 413-9900 / www.FloridaDisaster.org
American Red Cross: www.RedCross.org
FLASH: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
(877) 221-7233 / www.FLASH.org
National Hurricane Center: www.NHC.noaa.gov
National Weather Service:
www.NWS.noaa.gov
Florida Department of Financial Services
Office of Insurance Regulation
(formerly Dept. of Insurance)
(800) 342-2762 / www.FLDFS.com
Florida Insurance Council
(850) 386-6668 / www.FLAINS.org
Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
(Includes Windstorm Insurance)
(888) 685-1555 / www.CitizensFla.com
Hurricane Hotline: (866) 411-2742
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
(888) 379-9531 or TTY (800) 427-5593
www.FloodSmart.gov
CONSTRUCTION
Dept. of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles
Bureau of Mobile Home & RV Construction
(850) 617-3004