Category Archives: Messages from Management

Preparations for hurricane season

From: Gove Corp
To: All Owners and/or Residents
Re: Hurricanes, Storms

The hurricane season 2017 officially began on 1 June and ends on 30 November 2017. If at any time the National Weather Service emits a warning of an atmospheric phenomenon, it will be necessary for each Owner to cooperate following the suggestions listed below, to prevent damage to life and/or property.

Once hurricane warning is issued

  1. Look out for the bulletins issued by the National Weather Service and the warnings that the Board of Directors and Administration make to keep you abreast of any situation that requires special action. Cooperate with the Administration and the agencies involved in these processes.
  2. Identify evacuation routes and places of official shelter.
  3. Notify family members living outside the area under notice about your evacuation plans.
  4. Check your windows and doors. Repair any malfunction.
  5. Determine if windows and doors are safe to withstand the force of wind and water. Make the appropriate arrangements.
  6. Determine which is the safe room in the home, and make a detailed inventory of your residence with photos or video. Keep it in a safe place. Check hurricane and flood insurance coverage.
  7. Check and secure all pots, wall hangings, balcony furniture and carpets in the hallways. The common hallways must be completely clear.
  8. Store loose objects that may injure someone in a safe place to prevent them from being lifted if wind gusts enter.
  9. Have a first-aid kit and food for yourself and your pets that does not need to be refrigerated, cooked, and potable water in sufficient quantity for at least three (3) to five (5) days.
  10. Stay away from the seashore.
  11. If necessary, buy lanterns, candles and matches. Buy batteries for radio and flashlights.
  12. Fill your car gas tank and park the car in a safe place.

During the event

  1. Stay within your apartment away from doors and windows. During this type of emergency the corridors and parking lot are not safe places. You cannot be in the green areas, pool or beach.
  2. During the passing of the eye (center) of the hurricane, do not go out or open the doors. The danger has not passed.
  3. Stay calm and please avoid drinking alcoholic beverages; you will need to be alert at all times.
  4. Take all necessary precautions with candles: avoid fires.
  5. If the power goes out, the emergency power plant will be turned on.
  6. The engine of the water tank will be turned on after the storm has passed.
  7. IMPORTANT: During the storm, do not use the elevators. When the storm has passed, the elevators will be inspected before they are turned on again.
  8. Always keep some windows slightly open. This will help to somewhat lessen the pressure inside your apartment.
  9. Watch out for National Weather Service bulletins, state and municipal government communications, and messages from the Board and the Administration, so that you are kept abreast of any emergency or situation that requires your taking special measures and, if possible, lending your assistance.
  10. The use of gas cylinders is strictly prohibited. If anyone sees one of these, please notify the Administration or any of the members of the Board to prevent a misfortune from happening.
  11. You should be prepared to evacuate the building in case of emergency and, likewise, prepare those who live with you. In cases like this, you should use the stairs and not the elevators.

After the event

  1. If someone is sick or injured, seek medical attention immediately.
  2. Make good use of water and electrical power reserves. In the event of severe disasters, a rationing of water and electricity will be implemented. During long periods of emergency, or when rationing is decreed by the agencies concerned, in order to guarantee a fair use of these resources to all the condominium owners, the following plan will be implemented:
    • Water rationing: During the emergency or while water supply lasts, owners/residents of the condominium will have five hours of water in the morning from 5am to 10am and five hours in the afternoon from 4pm to 9pm.
    • Rationing of electrical energy during the emergency: the condominium’s emergency generator will be supplying electricity for a period of 20 hours a day, 7 days a week or until the fuel supply is exhausted (if we are unable to replenish the fuel). During the day, the emergency plant will shut down from 10am to 2pm so the generator can rest, to save diesel, and that the generator can continue to operate at full capacity. Should the emergency be catastrophic, the plant will be supplying electricity only in the morning from 5am to 10am and in the afternoon from 4pm to 11pm or until the fuel runs out (if we are unable to replenish the fuel).
  3. Do not touch power lines. Report any damage to the State Agency for Emergency Management and Disaster Management, Municipality of Rincon, or the Authority of Electric Energy.
  4. When the storm has passed, inspect your home and report any damage that has occurred.
  5. Check to see if your neighbors need help.
  6. Stay home if it was not damaged. If it is absolutely necessary, when driving your car, do so with caution; there will be debris in the streets and highways.
  7. Keep abreast of communications and public notices through the media, and those that will be issued by the Administration and the Board.
  8. Do not consume water that is not potable, or cooked or canned foods that have been in the open for days.
  9. Collaborate in the clean-up of surroundings.
  10. Cooperate with relevant authorities as much as possible.