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Hurricane Information
For those folks who see on the news that South Florida is in the path of a
hurricane and begin to worry about us, we thank you for your concern. Judging by
the number of phone calls, faxes, and emails we receive during hurricane watches
and warnings, there are a lot of you out there who are very concerned about our
safety. We are most definitely grateful for that. However, to be perfectly
honest, it can be very difficult to answer questions about our situation while
in the middle of hurricane preparations. To counter that, we have this
page that we use to update our owners and guests (and sometimes faraway friends
& family members) as to our status. When hurricane conditions threaten, we will
update this page as often as possible. Keep in mind that when we lose power
and/or phone service, it becomes impossible to post updates. So if you hear that
we're being threatened, please come check this page... but if you notice we're
not updating it, it means you'll need to bear with us while we work to get
things back in order. It also means we'll need your prayers for extra help with
that! ;o)
Links:
Hurricane Prep @ Canada House
We've often been asked what's involved in preparing the Canada House for a
hurricane and/or evacuation. Actually, for the most part, whether we get
evacuated or can stay on property, there's not too much difference in what we do
to prepare. This isn't a complete list of what goes on, but it will give you
some idea of what's involved (this is in no particular order):
- Periodically communicate with exchange companies regarding status,
especially if evacuation is ordered for our area.
- Go to every unit and take the patio furniture inside, also checking to
make sure all doors and windows are securely closed. Also close blinds and
curtains to help keep water out in case windows get broken during the storm.
- Pick up all loose branches, coconuts, etc., from around property.
- Remove all outside furniture, trash barrels, luggage & grocery carts,
wall ash trays, filtered water dispensers, and any other item that isn't
permanently attached from pool and yard areas and place in empty rooms.
- Take down all signs and other items that may be attached to walls, which
could come loose and cause damage to people or property.
- Lay newspaper machines face-down on ground to reduce possibility of
damage (to them or from them)
- Lower water level in pools & spas (because the storm will dump lots of
rain into them, and they could overflow and cause flooding).
- Turn off all pool equipment (if sand gets in the pool during the storm,
we need to clean it out before it gets into the filter and/or motor).
- If needed, call for extra trash pickup to empty Dumpsters, then secure
them to keep them from rolling around in the wind.
- Contact all guests - either to inform them of evacuation or to advise
them on how to weather the storm (if there's no evacuation and they choose
to stay). If evacuation is not mandated, also hand out flashlights in case
the electricity goes out.
- Check all doors and gates to ensure that they are closed securely and
locked.
- Update hurricane page on website & change recording on main phone line.
- Backup computers (4) and server (1)
- Close & lock 9 (soon to be close to 20) sets of hurricane shutters
- Wash as much laundry as possible and clean all rooms as guests check out
(decreases the amount of time it takes to re-open after the storm)
- Order extra housekeeping supplies (so we'll have supplies after the
storm even if the roads are closed or gas is in short supply)
- Fill gas tanks for use in chainsaw & blower after storm is over.
- Reconfirm contact information for all employees so we can call them to
come back to work after the storm is over
Keep in mind that after the storm is over, we have to put back everything
that was put away. We also have to check all rooms for leaks, broken windows, or
other damage. There are always leaves, branches, and other debris to clean up --
and of course we have to have extra trash pick-ups because of that... The
Maintenance Team also has to check all the equipment (boiler, chiller, pool
equipment, elevators, etc., etc.) to make sure it's all working the way it
should be...
Wow. All this talking about hurricane prep makes a girl tired! Let's hope
there aren't any hurricanes this year!! After all, we already had our share of
damage with Wilma in 2005! |
