Hurricane Dorian Announcement
Dear Homeowners,
As Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida, our team is taking the necessary steps to ensure that each of our communities is safe and prepared for the storm. This includes locking open community gates and closing community pools. Melrose offices will be open until 3 pm on Friday, Aug. 30 to facilitate resident calls and concerns; we assure you that our team is working on your behalf during this time. With that being said, and with the safety of our employees and their families as a top priority, we will be closing our offices at 3 pm and will remain closed through at least Monday, September 2. Please anticipate further office closures depending on the severity of the storm. We understand that our residents are anxiously awaiting what is to come. Please take care and be safe.
Below, you will find hurricane tips from the National Hurricane Center:
Gather Information
Know if you live in an evacuation area. Assess your risks and know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. Understand National Weather Service forecast products and especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.
Contact your local National Weather Service office and local government/emergency management office. Find out what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond.
Contacts
Keep a list of contact information for reference.
- Emergency Management Offices
- County Law Enforcement
- County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
- State, County and City/Town Government
- Local Hospitals
- Local Utilities
- Local American Red Cross
- Local TV Stations
- Local Radio Stations
- Your Property Insurance Agent
Risk Analysis
Online hazard and vulnerability assessment tools are available to gather information about your risks.
- Check your hazards risks with FEMA’s Map Portal.
- Rate your flood risk with the FloodSmart.gov portal.
Plan & Take Action
Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off?
Supplies Kit
Put together a basic disaster supplies kit and consider storage locations for different situations. Help community members do the same.
Emergency Plans
Develop and document plans for your specific risks.
- Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan
- Be sure to plan for locations away from home
- Pet owners should have plans to care for their animals. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention offer information on animal health impacts in evacuation shelters.
- Prepare your boat and be aware of marine safety if you are on or near the water.
Health & Environment
Follow guidelines to guard your community’s health and protect the environment during and after the storm.
- Review the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) health considerations before, during, and after a storm.
- Remember to follow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) food and water safety guidelines during disasters.
- Review the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggestions for health and environmental safety in disaster preparedness.
Evacuation
- Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines to allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. FOLLOW instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
- Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate.
When waiting out a storm be careful, the danger may not be over yet…
Be alert for:
- Tornadoes – they are often spawned by hurricanes.
- The calm “eye” of the storm – it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.
Recover
- Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
- Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.
