Disaster Prep in Orange County: A Property Management Guide for Natural Disasters

Wildfires, mudslides, earthquakes, sinkholes, and hurricanes: These types of natural disasters leave billions of dollars1 in property damage in their wake every year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. California’s coast and valley properties are no strangers to most of these.

Some derive from the earth, others from the weather. No matter where they come from, they wreak havoc on buildings and structures everywhere in their path, not to mention the loss of life.

As a property manager, are you prepared when one hits your complex?

It’s time to learn how to prepare for these types of disasters and what to do in their aftermath.

How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster

Regardless of the type of natural disaster, there are several steps every property manager should take preemptively to keep their tenants as safe as possible. These include:

• Know what types of natural disasters occur in your geographical region – California is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, wildfires, and occasional hurricanes. These should be the main natural disasters you prepare for.
• Create an emergency plan of action – Being prepared for an emergency and knowing what to do should one strike is crucial.
• Put together emergency preparedness kits – Include essentials like first aid kits, bottled water, a flashlight, and non-perishable food.
• Have a communication plan – Ensure all your tenants know how to get in touch with you and emergency services should the need arise.
• Keep informed by weather alerts and local news forecasts – Keep your eye on weather and news alerts to catch possible disasters before they hit your area.
• Have a designated meeting spot – Clearly mark your building’s emergency exits and ensure your property has a designated emergency meeting spot away from hazards like trees or buildings.
• Ensure your building is covered by comprehensive disaster and renter’s insurance.
• Safely store important information and documents – Create digital copies of leases, insurance policies, and other important documents should they be damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster. If you can’t create digital copies, consider storing your documents in a safe offsite or a strongbox.
• Clearly mark fire extinguishers, fire escapes, and fire alarms.
• Collect vital information beforehand – Before a natural disaster hits, landlords should gather information from tenants, including tenant approval to enter their unit in an emergency, the address they would go to should an evacuation be ordered, a list of their unit’s occupants and their emergency contact details, and whether they have pets that need to be taken care of during an emergency.
• Educate tenants about the steps they should take during a natural disaster – This includes important points like leaving personal belongings behind, familiarizing themselves with evacuation routes, and regularly brushing up on their disaster preparedness knowledge.

Your position as a property manager comes with a lot of responsibility. Besides looking out for your own safety during a natural disaster you will be expected to see to your tenants’ safety as well.

Properly preparing for possible natural disasters, especially in areas like Orange County, can make the difference between life and death.

Tips for Landlords and Tenants on How to Prepare When Different Types of Natural Disasters Strike

Follow these tips on what to do during different types of natural disasters:

Earthquake Tips

Earthquakes can cause immense damage and fear. To prepare for a possible earthquake, it’s important you do the following:

• Know where gas connections are located and how to turn them off.
• Anchor heavy objects in and outside the residence.
• Examine the property’s foundation and assess repair needs for issues like cracks.

Wildfire Tips

Fires can make everything go up in smoke. They can also be dangerous even if the wildfire isn’t in your direct vicinity. Here are some tips to prepare for possible wildfires:

• Know where your fire extinguishers are located and how to use them.
• Keep trees and shrubs 100 feet away from your complex if it’s located in a wildfire zone.
• When building or renovating, use fire-resistant chemicals and building materials if possible.

We all love landscaping, but trees and brush can go up in flames quickly. Keep them away from houses and apartments.

Hurricane Tips

Hurricanes are frightening and can cause significant property damage. Some of the ways you can prepare your property for hurricane season include:

• Know where your utility switches are and how to turn them off in an emergency.
• Instruct tenants to move furniture away from windows in case of high winds and rain.
• Install storm shutters to prevent windows from breaking during a hurricane.
• Ensure each apartment has a battery-powered light source in case of a power outage.

There is no way to stop an earthquake or flooding in its path, but you can make sure you’re prepared with the tips mentioned above.

No matter how prepared you are, however, caring for your property and tenants during a natural disaster can come with a lot of stress. By working with an experienced property management company like Genuine Property Management, you can rest assured all your property’s disaster preparedness needs will be taken care of. That way, you can focus on the safety of your family and neighbors with the knowledge that your tenants are in the best hands possible.

For more information about the property and disaster management services we offer, contact Genuine Property Management today.