Disaster Preparedness: What You and Your HOA Can Do Before and After

There are do-it-yourself projects you can do, and improvements you can hire folks to do, from the basement to the roof, to help make your home better prepared to withstand a natural or man-made disaster - - - and to help minimize the damage from a disaster.

After a disaster has struck, it often seems that there's too much to do. Where does one even start? It may help you to know that there are proven methods of coping that others have learned that may benefit you in your recovering your loss and repairing any damage.

Planning what to do in advance is an important part of being prepared. Find out what natural disasters are most common in your area.

What to do before your home is damaged by a natural disaster

Hurricanes, tornados and storms ... they can all cause tremendous damage to your home. Here are some improvements you can make to minimize the damage. Many of these can be do-it-yourself projects if you're reasonably handy.

Windows and doors: These are the weak points in your home's walls. If you are building a new home or significantly remodeling your existing one, you can install impact-resistant windows and sliding-glass (patio) doors. These have stronger frames than standard units and the glazing is made of tempered glass or plastic, or a combination of those. Make sure all of your exterior swinging doors have at least three solid hinges, attached with long screws, and a deadbolt on the other side that extends one inch or more into the jamb.

Make sure all door and window frames are securely attached to the frame of the house.

The doors and windows will be more secure if they are installed with screws instead of nails. The frames for doors that swing should be mounted with screws that are 3" (three inches) or longer.

Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and developing a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. However, there are important differences among natural disasters that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you take. Some natural disasters are easily predicted, while others happen without warning. Find out what natural disasters are most common in your area. You may be aware of some of your community's risks: others may surprise you. Historically, flooding is the nation's single most common natural disaster. Flooding can happen in every U.S. state and territory. Earthquakes are often thought of as a West Coast phenomenon, yet 45 states and territories in the United States are at moderate to high risk from earthquakes. Other disasters may be more common in certain areas. Tornados are nature's most violent storms and can happen anywhere. However, Midwestern and Southern states located in “Tornado Alley,” as well as areas in Pennsylvania , New York , Connecticut , and Florida are at the highest risk for tornado damage. Hurricanes are severe tropical storms that form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Scientists can now predict hurricanes, but people who live in coastal communities should plan what they will do if they are told to evacuate.

Good planning can save lives and help minimize financial loss. A well conceived disaster plan should include the entire family, taking into account reliable transportation routes, temporary food and water, a pre-planned meeting point, and liquid financial resources for other contingencies. Here's a look at some of the often-forgotten emergencies that we should prepare for, as provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

Blackouts
Usually, rolling blackouts occur when power usage increases, especially during hot weather when many people are using air conditioning to keep cool. Power companies try to give a warning when they will turn off power to an area, but they can not always do that.

Chemical Emergencies
Under certain conditions, chemicals can be poisonous or have a harmful effect on your health. Some chemicals which are safe, and even helpful in small amounts, can be harmful in larger quantities or under certain conditions.

Drought
In some communities where drought conditions exist, officials may recommend measures to restrict use of water. You should check with your local authorities or water utility for information on water restrictions.

Earthquakes
Prepare a home earthquake plan. Choose a safe place in every room--under a sturdy table or desk or against an inside wall where nothing can fall on you.

Fires
Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. Carbon Monoxide alarms can save lives, too. Find out more about how to protect yourself from CO poisoning.

Floods
If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood. Listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.

Heat Waves
If a heat wave is predicted or happening... Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Hurricanes
Prepare a personal evacuation plan. Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

Mudslides
Mudslides are a serious geologic hazard common to almost every state in the United States. It is estimated that nationally they cause up to $2 billion in damages and from 25 to 50 deaths annually.

Terrorism
Devastating acts, such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, have left many concerned about the possibility of future incidents in the United States and their potential impact. There are things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress that you may feel now and later should another emergency arise.

Thunderstorms
Before lightning strikes... Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.

Tornado
Prepare a home tornado plan. Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway, bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.

Tsunami
Twenty-four tsunamis have caused damage in the United States and its territories during the last 204 years. Just since 1946, seven tsunamis have killed more than 200,000 people and caused billions of dollars of property damage.

Volcanoes
The United States is third in the world, after Japan and Indonesia , for the number of active volcanoes. Since 1980, as many as five volcanoes have erupted each year in the United States .

Wild Fires
More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire.

Winter Storms
Prepare a winter storm plan. Have extra blankets on hand. Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, and water-resistant boots.