Hurricane season officially began on June 1, and for property owners and managers across the Gulf Coast and Southeast, preparation should already be underway. While NOAA predicts less hurricane activity this summer, it only takes one storm to put residents, properties and entire communities at risk.
Storm preparedness is about more than asset protection. It is about protecting the people who call these communities home; residents who, when a property is damaged or destroyed, can be left displaced, vulnerable and without access to the resources they need.
That responsibility carries added weight in affordable housing, where some residents may have fewer resources to quickly evacuate, purchase emergency supplies or absorb the disruption that follows a severe weather event.
Owners and managers cannot redirect a hurricane, but thoughtful preparation can help bridge that gap and ensure residents feel safe, supported and cared for when it matters most. Here are a few steps owners and operators can take to help their residents and properties weather the storm.
Assess the Property
Hurricane preparation should begin with a thorough assessment of the property’s physical condition, including roofing, drainage systems, windows, signage and the health of surrounding trees. Any signs of disrepair should be addressed early, rather than in the days before a storm is expected to make landfall.
That assessment should also include backup power. Owners and operators should confirm access to properly sized generators to support key common areas, including cooling, device charging and communication needs for residents during an outage.
Within 60 hours before the storm is expected to make landfall, property owners should meet with staff to review the internal plan, call vendors to arrange cleanup assistance after the storm, monitor the National Hurricane Center for updates and notify residents about the upcoming hurricane.
Two days before the storm is expected to make landfall, property owners should warn residents that the storm is approaching. Managers should postpone any scheduled move-ins and secure all property amenities.
Owners should also review insurance coverage and document the property’s condition in detail before a storm. Thorough records can make a meaningful difference in the claims process, and they are far easier to compile in calm weather than after damage has occurred.
Educate and Communicate with Residents
The most important layer of preparedness is for the community’s residents, and communication is key to keeping them safe. A written preparedness plan should serve as the backbone of the property’s storm response, giving residents a clear, easy-to-understand guide that explains what to expect and where to turn for information.
The most effective approach is to establish protocols early, well before a storm is named. Residents need time to absorb the information, ask questions and raise concerns that staff may not otherwise anticipate. Waiting until an active warning is in place creates unnecessary pressure for both residents and on-site teams.
For affordable housing communities, this work carries added weight. When residents have fewer resources to evacuate, property managers need to ensure every resident receives clear, timely information about weather safety. That means communicating through several channels, including text messages, posted notices, and in-person conversations. A message that only reaches part of a building has not done its job.
Practical guidance should be specific and timed to the season. Residents should be encouraged to gather essentials such as water, nonperishable food, medications, batteries, and other supplies early, before local inventory becomes limited. At properties with food pantries, managers can help by restocking them in advance and directing residents to pick up essential items before the storm arrives. For residents on fixed incomes or without reliable transportation, early reminders can make a significant difference.
During and After the Storm
A preparedness plan is only useful if the team is ready to activate it. Before the season, owners and operators should confirm that staff understand their roles, know the chain of responsibility and can execute the plan even if leadership is unreachable.
Part of that readiness is knowing who needs help first. Before a storm arrives, staff should identify which residents may need extra assistance evacuating or preparing, and ensure those residents receive clear information and reminders early. Maintaining that list helps the on-site team know where to direct attention first while there is still time to act.
Communication is often one of the first things to fail after power and cell service go down, so backup methods should be established. Residents should know where to look for updates and how staff will communicate changes as conditions evolve.
During the storm, residents should be instructed to stay indoors, away from windows and other glass areas and to monitor radio broadcasts and official weather service reports. Managers should be prepared to assist with evacuation protocols should evacuation be advised.
The work does not end when the weather clears. Immediate priorities include checking on residents, conducting a structured damage assessment, documenting conditions thoroughly for insurance purposes and restoring essential services such as power and water.
Electrical dangers are a concern in the aftermath of a hurricane. Watch for downed utility lines, flooded electrical circuits, submerged furnaces and any electrical appliances that could pose a fire hazard after a storm. Photographs and written records taken in the first hours after a storm can carry real weight in the claims process and can help determine how quickly a property returns to normal operation.
As soon as possible following a weather event, reestablish the property’s front office, which will serve as a direct line of communication for residents with additional concerns following a weather event.
Make Preparedness a Year-Round Discipline
For property managers, owners, developers and on-site teams, hurricane preparedness is most effective when treated as a year-round discipline rather than a last-minute scramble. Plans should be reviewed regularly, staff should be retrained, and resident contact information should be updated on a consistent cycle.
Prepared properties protect physical assets, long-term value, and operational continuity. They can also limit liability, reduce insurance exposure and recover faster after a storm.
Most importantly, they help keep residents safe. In affordable housing, that obligation is central to the work. Owners and operators hold the keys to communities where people build their lives, and preparation is one of the clearest ways to show that residents are cared for.
Robert E. Cuttle is director of asset and property management at Wendover Housing Partners, a Florida-based affordable housing developer.