Below is a message from our Property Manager to prepare for the hurricane season:
Whitney Lakes THA
Hurricane Preparedness – September 2017
Dear Whitney Lakes THA Owners,
Although it’s too early to tell the path that Irma will take, it’s better to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Please begin now to put a plan in place to keep yourself, your neighbors, your unit and our property safe—do not wait until the end of the week. Here’s what you need to know and do:
We are watching Hurricane Irma very closely. The Weather Channel is reporting that Irma is now a Category 5 Storm and they anticipate it will be located in South Florida by Saturday. Their site states, “By this weekend, Irma will begin to turn north in the direction of a departing southward dip in the jet stream that will set up in the eastern United States. Where that northward turn occurs will be critical for what impacts Irma may bring to parts of the southeastern United States.” We encourage you to be alert for any announcements you may receive from the local weather stations or from other agencies such as NOAA (National Hurricane Center) Weather Radio. In the Charleston area, the frequency for the NOAA is 162.550-162.450. While the television station is easier to see and listen to, if a storm approaches power usually goes out and radios are the way to go! Just make sure you have plenty of charged batteries.
South Carolina Emergency Management Division (scemd.org), has an excellent 14 page guide with information as to the evacuation routes for your area, phone numbers for emergencies and what you need to prepare and/or purchase if you are staying in the area. Charleston County’s website is useful for determining road closures and openings.
Once a Hurricane Watch is issued, owners should secure all outdoor furniture and decorations. We strongly recommend you bring all items such as grills, chairs, tables and decorations including items from the screened porch into your villa. If you use a rental or absentee maintenance company, you may want them to assist you with this. Management cannot move items for you. If there is a mandatory evacuation, please be reminded to turn off your gas, electricity and water prior to leaving.
Please make sure you have an HO6 policy in force for the interior of your unit. It is important to understand that if we experience a storm, special assessments are likely. Please note that the regime will not be boarding up any windows.
After the storm, Yellowstone Landscaping will begin clean-up as soon as possible. Initial clean up begins with clearing parking lots and walkways of any hazards and for access. They will then consolidate piles and start removal of debris on the grounds. Last year’s storm, Matthew, was a category #1 and it took the better part of a month to restore the grounds to pre-storm conditions.
Management will inspect the grounds and building exteriors as soon as safe access is available. Please have your rental company or absentee owner company inspect inside your villa. Notify your H06 agent of any damages.
Finally, if Hurricane Irma does hit our coast, it will take time for the power to be restarted and operations resumed. As soon as we can, we will update everyone by email.
Sincerely,
Sally Robinson
Community Manager
Whitney Lake at Johns Island 