maui fires Updated in August 2023 – Hawaii just had a devastating wildfire that killed over 100 people and burned more than 1,100 structures. It was reported at least 6 condominium associations were destroyed and many others had damage. Its unknown if the damaged associations were habitable. Our hearts go out the Maui community and we hope they can heal  and rebuild quickly.

In the 2022 we have seen associations face significant disasters. Hurricane Ian torn up associations in Fort Meyers and now in 2023 California is having a snowmageddon which will turn into flooding,  impacting condominium and homeowner associations.  Washington state dodged a major ice storm in December 2022 but it could have been worse. As a retired first responder (firefighter -EMT for 42 years) I know what needs to happen when things go wrong. In a major incident first responders will quickly get overwhelmed with calls for service and will begin to triage the calls. A call for a person stuck in an elevator will be shunted to the back of the que as the resources dry up.

Know the risks

Every association is different, know what the potential risks are. In the Pacific Northwest it could be flood, blizzards, ice storms, earthquake or fire. This may be a good time to talk to your insurance agent to see if the association is covered properly.  Each type of event may require different response from the association to protect property and life. Your insurance can help determine how to respond or tell members what to expect from the association.

Have a plan

All associations should have some kind of plan to take care of themselves for at least 72 hours. If the power goes out and a member is stuck in the elevator then someone should know how to unlock the doors to get them out. If the power does go out frequently the association may want to have a generator that will at least power the clubhouse. The clubhouse can be a warm location for everyone, a place to charge their cellphone or get a meal. If the association does have people that are at risk, there should be someone who is task to check on them and ensure that they are taken care of. A little bit of planning can go a long way.

 

Unfortunately, emergency and disaster situations by definition come when they’re least expected and they occur with alarming regularity. No condo association wants to find itself in the midst of a disaster, but they happen anywhere and anytime and can result in residents being displaced, buildings and facilities needing repairs or rebuilding, and large amounts of reserve funds being spent. Fortunately, a disaster’s impact can be minimized if the community is prepared for it.

Just as no two condo associations are the same, no two emergency plans are identical. A community in Eastern Washington , for example, probably faces more risk of wildfires  rather than a flood.  I recommend the board designate a committee to come up with a plan and provide it to the members. Your local fire department, insurance agent or county ems can help. Here is a sample plan.