disaster preparedness Archives - Other CMS https://test25.louieambriz.com/tag/disaster-preparedness/ Thu, 12 Jan 2023 17:41:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Protect Your Manufactured Home from Flooding https://test25.louieambriz.com/protect-your-manufactured-home-from-flooding/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=protect-your-manufactured-home-from-flooding Thu, 12 Jan 2023 17:41:30 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=1130 The storms are rolling in. Take action now with these easy steps to help protect your manufactured home from damage.

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]]> This winter is shaping up to be among the wettest in recent memory, with seemingly every region of the country experiencing above-normal levels of precipitation. Massive snow-bearing bomb cyclones in the Midwest and Northeast, tropical storms drenching the Gulf states, atmospheric rivers deluging the West Coast – the past few months have clearly demonstrated that climate change not only increases the planet’s temperature but also the amount of rain and snow we are likely to receive.

This above-normal precipitation cannot help but increase the likelihood of localized flooding, no matter where you live or time of year. This should be of particular concern to owners of manufactured housing which, by its very nature, is more susceptible to being swept away by raging waters than traditional homes. Here are a few constructive steps you can take to minimize that risk, both this winter and in the years to come.

Risk Evaluation: The first step in flood protection is to determine how likely you are to suffer a flood and how well your home is prepared to withstand it. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has online maps covering your area’s general flood risk and such relevant structures as bridges, dams and levees. After locating the relevant map, make sure to note the year it was made – some are  outdated and cannot accurately reflect the current flood risk.

Take Out Some Insurance: Once you determine there is a substantial flood risk, the next step is to contact a flood insurance agent to determine your home’s specific flood level – that is, the height to which waters could rise as a result of flooding. Ideally, homes should be built above this level. Armed with this information, work with your agent to purchase the proper flood insurance either through the National Flood Insurance Program or as an addendum to your existing homeowner’s policy.

Prioritize Renovations: It’s vital that owners of manufactured homes stay current on repairs and renovations and that to-do list must include steps to reduce potential flood damage. These can include raising your home on stilts or piers; installing foundation vents or a sump pump; applying coatings and sealings to your foundation, walls, windows and doorways to help prevent flood water from leaking into the house; installing check valves on pipes to prevent a flooded sewage system from backing up; grading your lawn away from the house so that surface runoff empties into an appropriate place; leaving space between mulch and siding so that the base of your house can completely dry after rainstorms; and pointing your downspouts away from your home so water cannot pool at the corners of your house.

Deadly Combination: It’s should be no shock to learn that water and electricity don’t play well together.  To minimize their combined risk in the case of a flood, make sure all your home’s outlets, switches, sockets and circuit breakers are at least one foot above flood level. In addition, you should protect your home’s internal and external appliances by raising them above the flood level. This can be done fairly inexpensively by placing them on concrete blocks.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.

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]]> Five Ways Residents of Manufactured Housing Communities Can Prepare for Natural Disasters https://test25.louieambriz.com/five-ways-residents-of-manufactured-housing-communities-can-prepare-for-natural-disasters/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-ways-residents-of-manufactured-housing-communities-can-prepare-for-natural-disasters Tue, 13 Apr 2021 14:48:36 +0000 https://harmonycom.com/?p=697 With the frequency of wildfires intensifying in the U.S. and expected to worsen, the importance of preparing for a natural disaster can't be overstated.

This article includes five ways that manufactured housing community residents can guard against the threats from wildfires and other natural disasters.

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]]> In 2020, wildfires destroyed 10.3 million U.S. acres – 4.2 million of those in California alone – and the problem is only intensifying. Wildfires in the western states of California, Oregon, and Washington have tripled since 2002, largely due to drought, above-average temperatures, and high winds. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fire Service, erratic precipitation patterns and above-average temperatures resulting from climate change are likely to trigger more wildfires in the future, making it all the more important to be prepared.

Here are five ways that you, as a resident and homeowner in a manufactured housing community, can guard against the threats from wildfires and other natural disasters.

1. Purchase insurance for your home.

Although insurance on a manufactured home is not legally required, mortgage lenders and most property management companies – including Harmony Communities – require it, and it’s a worthwhile investment. Insurance can provide coverage for both your home and your property and may even include liability protection, which defrays the cost of any legal disputes that may arise from someone getting injured on your property. If you live in a flood-prone area or an area at high risk for wildfires, you’ll want to confirm coverage for these types of natural disasters. This article contains additional information on types of insurance coverage and includes tips for purchasing insurance for your manufactured home.

2. Remove fire hazards from your property.

Wildfires travel quickly through brush and limbs, so keep trees, long grasses, and bushes adjacent to the home trimmed and appropriately dispose of limbs and debris. California requires homeowners who live in high-risk areas to maintain a 100-foot “defensible space” around their homes; that is, an area clear of brush, vegetation, and other flammable materials. Although it may not be possible to achieve such a large amount of defensible space in a manufactured housing community, you should still ensure that fire hazards are kept as far away from your home as possible. Finally, remove leaves and other debris from gutters and consider fire-resistant materials such as dual-pane windows, fire-resistant roofing, and enclosed eaves.

3. Follow other important safety tips to prevent home fires.

Between 2014 and 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 353,100 home fires per year, resulting in an average of 2,620 civilian deaths, 11,030 injuries, and $7.2 billion in property damage. To reduce the risk of a home fire:

  • Do not use your stove or oven to heat your home.
  • Keep batteries and battery-powered flashlights available and use flashlights instead of candles.
  • Check to make sure that electrical cords on space heaters are not damaged and do not pose a tripping hazard. 
  • Make sure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working properly; change smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries at least once a year.
  • Have a working fire extinguisher available.

Check out more fire safety tips here.

4. Have an emergency evacuation plan.

In emergencies, cell phone towers can often be overloaded, so you can’t rely on being able to communicate with family members this way. That’s why it’s important to agree on an emergency evacuation plan and establish a place where you will reunite. Sign up for alerts through your local municipality and download local news and/or weather apps so you can receive notifications of emergencies in your area.

5. Prepare an emergency supply kit.

If you do have to evacuate quickly, an emergency supply kit will give your family the necessary supplies to stay safe. An emergency supply kit should include items like a flashlight and batteries, a first aid kit, nonperishable food, medications, and more. For a complete list of what you should include in your emergency supply kit, download our free printable.

Unfortunately, the frequency of wildfires and other natural disasters seems to be trending in the wrong direction. Take steps today to be prepared in case one occurs near where you live.

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