Hurricane Ian Updates

September 27th, 2022

Dear Valued Clients:

Hurricane Ian is approaching. It has taken a turn further east. Ian is expected to make landfall 6-12 hours sooner than expected.

Both Lee and Collier Counties are now under a Hurricane Watch

Shelters are starting to open now. Zones A and B are under mandatory evacuation.

Find your zone here:

The Royal Palm Property Management office will be closed Wednesday, September 28th, and Thursday, September 29th. Our team lives here too, and they will be sheltering from the storm with their families. We will be working remotely as able.

When the authorities give the all clear and reopen the roads, we will do our best to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Until power is restored, communications will be limited. Entering a request into your owner portal will be the best means of communication so we are able to track your request/inquiry and ensure you get the answers that you need as efficiently as possible. Please try to keep the phone line open for emergencies.

I know that I am repeating myself here, but in an effort to provide you with whatever reassurance I can, please know that As soon as it is safe to do so, we will have all boots on the ground assessing damages. I will report back as quickly as posssible. We graciously ask for your patience with us during the next few days.

Thank you for your business and trust. We will not let you down.

Sincerely,

Ashley Simonelli and Team

Cell: 239 691 0810

managers@royalpalmpm.com

Check here for Hurricane Ian Updates: https://www.royalpalmpm.com/blog/hurricane-ian-updates

Update September 26th, 2022:

Good Afternoon,

As the storm approaches, preparations for a major hurricane are underway. We are actively doing everything we can to ensure your tenants are safe and your properties are protected. Hurricane Ian is projected to bring a perilous storm surge and winds as strong as 140 mph when it nears Florida's Gulf Coast in the middle of this week, the National Hurricane Center said on Monday.

A few items to note:

Our team will be working remotely through the storm. We still have an emergency maintenance line available 24/7; response times may be delayed to ensure safety.
If cell and internet service are down, we will do our best to post updates at the below link as soon as possible. I have a hotspot ready to go and/or will travel as needed to update you when it's safe to do so. https://www.royalpalmpm.com/blog/hurricane-ian-updates
We have notified your tenant that if shutters are present, they are responsible for installing them.
If they are not psychically able to install the shutters, we have provided them with several contacts of our preferred, licensed, and insured contractors to assist.
If your property is vacant, we have ensured all exterior debris has been removed.
We have reminded your tenants to stock up on supplies. Better to be safe than sorry.
We have communicated with our trusted vendors and have a plan in place should cell and internet service be down.
At MINIMUM, we should expect to receive heavy rain and high winds.
If your property is on a well system, there will likely be missing equipment to some degree. We have spoken to our preferred well vendor, and he's assured us that he has stocked up and has everything in stock should the need arise.
As soon as it is safe to do so, we will immediately have all boots on the ground inspecting your properties, removing debris, and documenting everything we can for you.

Our responses may be delayed due to heavy volume. We graciously ask for your patience. We promise to update you as soon as possible. Email or text is the best form of communication if you have questions or concerns.

Email: managers@royalpalmpm.com

Cell: 239 691 0810

Thank you for your patiences and your trust.

Sincerely,

Ashley & Royal Palm Team

Update September 25th:

Dear Valued Clients,

The hurricane season is upon us, and we are working with your residents to ensure that your property and their health and safety are protected. Every year we strive to prepare for the worst and pray for the best. Don't forget, hurricane season runs from June-November each year, with most hurricanes popping up in September.

By now, you have heard that there is a storm on the horizon. While it is up to your tenants to take responsibility for their possessions and personal safety, It is in your best interest to provide your renters with instructions on how to prepare their rental for an oncoming storm.

As a Royal Palm client, we have done that for you; we have sent a hurricane preparedness letter to our tenants at the start of every hurricane season. Our initial letter covers the following:

Hurricane season preparations and recommendations
Hurricane information
Weather - hurricane updates
Government assistance programs and emergency services information
Renters insurance requirements
Resident responsibilities
We remind tenants that we live in Florida and hurricanes are a frequent occurrence and that they (as tenants) have some responsibilities to address in case of a natural disaster.
We include instructions and tips for getting prepared for potential storms.
If our geographic area is projected to be in the path of a named storm, we send out a notice to the tenants to alert them and tell them to call 911 in case of a life-threatening emergency.
We remind them how to report maintenance issues.
Remind them of their responsibilities to protect the home.

We are in constant communication with the tenants to make sure they are as prepared as possible, and their safety is our primary concern.

Here are some more things we are doing to help your tenants prepare additional resources for after.

Consistent Check-ins: A phone call, text, or email with a simple message that says, “Just wanted to check in. Stay safe in the storm and let me know if you need anything.”. We have sent out a series of emails at the beginning of the season and again this week reminding your tenants of steps to take in order to make sure that they are safe on your property.

*After the storm has passed, we will continue communicating to the best of our ability. Cell service and power can be down for several days or weeks.

Preparing Your Properties:

We have started reminding your tenants of regular procedures for hurricane preparedness and how to best protect your property.

Some of the tips include:

Secure outside fixtures or bring them indoors (grills, patio furniture, potted plants)
Remove window AC units
Install hurricane shutters or alternative
Clear gutters and storm drains to ensure they are working properly

We have also reminded your tenants that water, utilities, and power may be impacted or shut off due to the storm and that they may have to stay indoors without access to food or other resources for a few days. We have directed your renters to follow the National Hurricane Center’s emergency preparedness guidelines.

We have also encouraged them to:

Create an emergency kit with essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours after a disaster.
Back up all computer files on a cloud-based network storage solution.
Take pictures of the home, including high-value assets and workspace, before any impacts.
Review your emergency plan with family and friends about how to contact each other and where to reconnect should disaster strike when they are not together.

We have shared with your tenants that a basic supply kit should include the following:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
Flashlight and extra batteries
First aid kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter, or solar charger

*Additionally, FEMA recommends gathering essential documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records to store in a waterproof container, as well as extra cash or traveler’s checks.

Our post-storm procedures include reaching out to the tenants to request confirmation of any impact from the storm. We also conduct our visual exterior check of the property once it is safe to travel the roads. If we see any apparent damages, they will be reported to you. We will also take photos and send them to you and/or upload them into your owner portal if able. Our team can coordinate insurance inspections and repairs.

What should you do?

Stay current on storm status here:

https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/major-hurricane-threat-looms-for-the-us-next-week-as-tropical-depression-9-takes-shape/1251269

Prepare Your Records: Have copies of all property records on hand and readily accessible. Be ready to share property records and Important information with your insurance agent should a claim need to be filed.

Hurricane Preparedness Florida: 24-Hour Assistance

We are committed to offering quality service to both residents and property owners. Our customer representatives are available 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. We treat every stage of this process with professionalism and efficiency because we know how stressful the situation is, and we are here to help in every way we can.

Please know that we have specific policies and procedures in place should a storm hit that would allow us to best serve you and our residents. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Email: managers@royalpalmpm.com or give us a call at our office at 239 223 2116.

Here are some links with valuable information and more instructions:

Link to Florida Disaster.org. You can browse the site and click on helpful links on the right side in blue.

Link to National Hurricane Center

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit (provided by Ready.Gov)

Here is a link to a more detailed hurricane checklist from FloridaDisaster.org.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/major-hurricane-threat-looms-for-the-us-next-week-as-tropical-depression-9-takes-shape/1251269

https://www.ready.gov/

https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/know-your-zone.stml

Evacuation Zones By County:

Charlotte:

https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/know-your-zone.stml

Lee