EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS for TENANTS

The possibility of a hurricane/tropical storm hitting part of our area is very real during this time of year. In the event of a hurricane/tropical storm warning, we urge you to take precautions for yourself and for the property that you currently lease. By taking care of the property you insure that you will have a safe and dry place to live after any storms have passed. We recommend that you do the following preparations:

If we have received a Hurricane Warning (that is a hurricane is expected within the next 36 hours):

• If shutters have been supplied with the property; it is time to secure them in place.
• Move all furniture away from the windows, cover it or move it to rooms that are least likely to receive damage.
• Bring inside all garbage receptacles, garden hoses (disconnected from hose bib), outdoor patio plants, pots, chairs, tables, furniture, and pool cleaning equipment, yard flags and other decorations or other items from patios/porches/yards, which may become missiles in a strong wind, to include Holiday decorations.
• If you are in a waterfront area, because of the possibility of flooding, you need to determine if you should vacate and proceed to the nearest shelter.
• If you live on the top floor of a condominium or apartment building perhaps you will need to vacate because the roof may be blown off.
• If you have a bathtub, fill it with water. This water may be all you have for a while to bathe with or to use to flush toilets if the power is off for a few days.
• Do NOT tape windows. If you wish to have boards put up, we can provide a company referral, this would be at your expense.
• If your property currently has a For Rent/For Sale sign please temporarily bring into the garage.
• Please try to utilize the garage (if applicable) to protect all vehicles.
• Try to avoid opportunities for water to collect/stand, to avoid increased mosquito activity.
• When possible, disconnect plugs or shut off breaker prior to power surges/loss of power to limit appliance or electronic damage.
• Ensure shed doors or storage cabinets are completely closed.

If you decide to vacate your property, please notify our office in writing immediately so we are aware and know how to contact you. Write down important personal and contact information, pack a to go bag, grab your family and pets and please be safe.

If you decide to ride out any storm at home, be sure to have plenty of drinking water, a portable radio, flashlights, batteries (for the radio and flashlight), a full tank of gas in your car, personal or legal papers stored in plastic bags, first aid supplies, all needed medications, toiletries, diapers, and plenty of pre-cooked canned food-don’t forget the can opener! Other helpful items that we have found useful are rolls of plastic, large plastic bags, cellular phones (make sure they are completely charged), tire repair kits, bug spray, and sun block for after a storm, extra candles and all the laundry washed! Camping equipment is helpful as well as coolers full of ice. If electricity is out for a while you may want to have extra cash as credit cards will not work without electricity.

If you are in a condominium complex, you may want to find out what emergency measures have been planned. Some complexes have stand-by generators to assist after storm.

Please notify Legends Realty, after the storm has passed via the Tenant Portal if you experience any damage caused by the weather, photo documentation is appreciated.

Please familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a hurricane hazard:

Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 38 mph (33 knot) or less.

Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1-minute average) ranges from 39 mph (34 knots) to 73 mph (63 knots).

Hurricane: A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind (using the U.S. 1-minute average) is 74 mph (64 knots) or more.

Storm Surge: An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, and whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Storm surge is usually estimated by subtracting the normal or astronomic high tide from the observed storm tide. Storm surge can reach heights well over 20 feet and can span hundreds of miles of coastline.

Storm Tide: The actual level of sea water resulting from the astronomic tide combined with the storm surge.

Hurricane Warning: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

Hurricane Watch: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

Tropical Storm Warning: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Watch: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours.

Short Term Watches and Warnings: These watches/warnings provide detailed information about specific hurricane threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.

We at Legends Realty will contact you after the storm has safely passed and the roads are open (as soon as it is possible) to assist in determining any damages.

If you have any questions about securing the property or need help in making a decision about whether to stay or go to a shelter, please view the DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT website at http://www.floridadisaster.org/

Should you have any questions please contact us at Legends Realty