State Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Hurricane Advisory

Hurricane Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is anticipated to impact Florida this week as a major hurricane. Final preparations to protect your communities should be made in earnest. Multifamily owners and managers have a unique challenge to provide information and support to residents as well as to protect property.

Here are some recommendations gathered from apartment associations and management companies that have experience dealing with hurricanes. 

• Monitor local media for weather conditions and emergency information. 
• Obtain emergency contact numbers for residents, and be sure they know what number to call for community information.
• Provide contact information for all team members and management contact persons.
• Ask residents to move furniture, plants, and other items from patios and balconies and place them indoors. 
• Advise residents to fill bathtubs with water that can be used to flush toilets if necessary. Even residents who are evacuating may need water supplies upon their return.
• Ask residents who are evacuating to remove perishable food from refrigerators, to avoid having to clean out spoiled food in the event of a lengthy power outage. 
• Drain pools about two feet. Move pool furniture, trash cans, outdoor seating, etc., indoors. Remove items from stairwells and walkways.
• Open property access gates that may become inoperable in the event of a power outage.

DBPR Hurricane Helene Order

Although the current emergency response focus is related to Hurricane Milton, many residents across the state are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. FAA members should also be aware Governor DeSantis directed the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to issue Executive Order 2024-9 to temporarily suspend Florida Statute 509.013(4)(a) to allow public lodging establishments to rent for any period of time, regardless of the establishment's non-transient or transient licensing status. This action was taken to help Hurricane Helene displaced residents. This order will remain in effect until November 22, 2024 or upon another order issued by DBPR.

National and State Resources

• National Hurricane Center
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
  • Hurricane Milton Updates
  • Hurricane Helene Updates
• National Apartment Association Emergency and Disaster Library
• Download the FEMA Mobile App (in English or Spanish)
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Hurricane Preparedness Guide
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security Financial Emergency Preparedness
• Report Price Gouging (Florida Attorney General's Office)

Local Affiliate Resources

Please contact your local affiliate for the most recent news, information, and emergency preparedness resources. 

• Apartment Association of Greater Orlando
• Bay Area Apartment Association
• Capital City Apartment Association
• First Coast Apartment Association
• North Central Florida Apartment Association
• Northwest Florida Apartment Association
• Space Coast Apartment Association
• South East Florida Apartment Association
• Southwest Florida Apartment Association