Extreme Weather Home Care Tips

• www.fema.gov
• www.ready.gov
• www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

Please note that our homes are designed to withstand normal weather conditions. In the case you do experience any damages to your home during a natural disaster situation, you must contact your homeowner's insurance company immediately for their evaluation.

• When it rains a lot in a short period of time, your yard swale and lawn may take longer than 24 to 48 hours to drain and dissipate. Please expect this to occur in extreme weather conditions. Please turn off your irrigation cycles, or contact your HOA in reference to the community irrigation system.
• The gutters that are installed on your home are designed to carry water in normal conditions, but with heavy rain they may overflow, which is normal in extreme weather conditions.
• Due to County and State regulations, during construction we must keep the community drains filtered to prevent construction debris and dirt from washing into the water system. This will cause some delay in the draining of the water and cause possible back-ups on the roads and sidewalks of the community. Please expect this to occur with high levels of rainfall.
• During extreme windy conditions, shingle or siding loss could be possible. If this occurs, please contact your homeowners insurance for repair.

• Check all gutters and downspouts, making sure that they are free from debris and clear at the exit point. If you have “pop-up extensions” leading into the yard, make sure the exit point of the “pop-up extension” is clear and not clogged.
• Check all exterior GFI circuits, making sure that all are active and working properly.
• Check your crawl space access well, walk out basement floor drain, and egress windows, making sure that the area and drain is clear of debris and grass clippings.
• If you control your own irrigation system, be sure to turn it off during these conditions. For community irrigation systems, make sure to contact your HOA about this concern. 
• Monitor and make sure any area way and overflow drains are free of debris.
• Secure any loose patio furniture, umbrellas or trash cans that can be blown around.
• If the power goes out, contact the utility company immediately. With no power, sump pump and ejector pits will not operate. In this case, do not use the basement bath.
• Unplug any exterior yard lighting fixtures from power outlets.

• Make sure that all windows and exterior doors are securely closed and locked.
• Check operations of the sump pump within your basement or crawl space, making sure the pump is working properly. If you have a battery back-up, ensure that the battery is fully charged.
• Have emergency kit available with flash lights and batteries.