Hurricane Preparedness

Parmenter Realty Partners is cooperating with appropriate local and regional governmental authorities to inform all our tenants of correct preparation and procedures to follow in the event of a hurricane landfall in the Tampa Bay region.

We urge all our tenants to always be alert to changing weather conditions when any threatening storm is in the area.

It is the responsibility of each tenant and his employees to be familiar with this Hurricane Evacuation Program.  It is extremely important for the safety of our Tenants and their property that these procedures be strictly followed.

Waterford Plaza is located in Evacuation Level A which means that the area is evacuated when wind velocity reaches 74-95mph and tide heights reach up to 8 feet. Evacuation level areas are vulnerable to storm surge. Storm surge is water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around a storm. This advancing surge combines with normal tides which can increase the water height as the storm approaches shore. This surge can cause severe flooding in coastal areas.

1.Pre-Storm Preparedness

A. Update and maintain copies of insurance policies including business interruption insurance.

B. Prepare/update your company’s business continuity plan. This should include scenarios for short and long term building closures. Internal employee contact network system and client contact procedures. A resource for creating such a plan is http://www.floridadisaster.org/business/.

C. You should be alert to any major storm in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, or Gulf of Mexico.  We recommend that each tenant have in his suite some type of radio (preferably battery-operated NOAA weather radio) so that he can keep informed of the status of approaching storms.  The size, direction, and speed of a hurricane can change rapidly.

D.Be aware of National Hurricane Center advisories and bulletins, and local official advisories.  As weather conditions develop, you should be aware of terms being used:

1. Tropical Disturbance: Slight or absent circulation and no strong winds, a common phenomenon in the tropics.
2. Tropical Depression: Closed circulation at surface, highest sustained winds less than 39 mph.
3. Tropical Storm: Stronger circulation, highest sustained wind speed 39-73 mph.
4. Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical storm conditions with sustained winds from 39 to 73 mph are possible in the watch area within the next 36 hours.
5. Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area within the next 24 hours.
6. Hurricane:  Very strong and pronounced circulation, wind speed of 74 mph or more.
7. Hurricane Watch: If the hurricane continues to threaten land, a hurricane watch is added to the advisory, covering a specified area and duration.  A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are a real possibility.  When a hurricane watch is issued, listen for further advisories, take steps to notify your employees, secure your office and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. 
8. Hurricane Warning: When hurricane conditions are expected within twenty-four hours, a hurricane warning will be announced by the National Hurricane Center.  All precautionary measures should be completed and you must evacuate the building and Rocky Point area if notified by civil authorities.

It is most important that you familiarize yourself with the Waterford Plaza Hurricane Evacuation Program prior to a tropical storm watch.  Please contact building management now if you have any questions.

2. What to Do in the Event of a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch for the Area

A. Be prepared to protect offices that have exterior glass that could be broken by flying debris.  Please use the following as a guide to give you an idea of what needs to be done.

• Back up all your data on your computer(s) and take the disk with you.
• Cover expensive/ computer equipment with heavy-duty trash bags and store away from any rooms with windows, or if able, take equipment with you.
• Lock or tape shut all filing cabinets
• Clear all debris, (files, paperwork, ‘in’ baskets, pictures, telephones, etc); off of any open area, i.e. desks, tables, bookshelves, etc.  This will help eliminate floating and flying debris. 
• Unplug everything and make sure all lights switches are off.  We recommend that before you leave the building, all computers, telecommunication equipment, microwaves, etc. be unplugged so as to protect them from possible power surges. 
• Personal belongs should be gathered so they can be removed easily when an evacuation order is given.
• Lower and close all blinds
• Close all doors (do not lock), especially those with windows.

B. Supplies you will want to have on hand for business and/or home

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Portable, battery operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Heavy duty trash bags, heavy duct tape,
• Proper Identification- Including a photo ID
• Emergency food and water
• Non-electric can opener
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes, long pants and long sleeved shirt

C. Be sure that the building management has home, cell and pager numbers for the appropriate contact person(s) in your office should we need to contact you. Likewise, we will provide you with telephone numbers to call for emergency information.

D. Official emergency bulletins can be heard on the radio or television. The building management will also keep in communication prior to the

3. Evacuation Procedures

A. Under most all circumstances, you will have plenty of time to evacuate and will be able to exit the building and project as you would on any working day.  In the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation, you will be instructed through the public address system to exit the building.

B. If there is a power outage, you will be instructed to exit via the stairwells, as shown in the attached drawings of this manual.

C. Secure or remove any valuables, lock file cabinets and desks, and turn off the lights in your office.  Please reference list above.

D. Go to your home or designated emergency evacuation shelter.  Do not attempt to return to your office until notified by the appropriate local governmental agency or by CLW Real Estate Services Group.

E. Building management recommends that all of our tenants talk to their insurance agents regarding their coverages to ensure you have adequate insurance including Business Interruption Insurance for your own security.  You will also want to make sure your current Insurance includes hurricane and wind damage. 

F. When you return to your office, notify the building management and your insurance carrier of any damage sustained to your suite.

G. Finally, do not leave any automobiles in the parking lot, as we do not assume liability if they are damaged.

The best preparation you can make is to familiarize yourself with these procedures now and notify us of any questions you may have. 

4. Recovery Process

When the building management is permitted back on to the property, the management recovery team will survey the property to make sure the building is safe.   Once all safety issues have been covered and repaired, the management recovery team will call tenants when it is safe to enter the building.  Tenants are asked to come no more than four (4) people per company.  There will be an assigned meeting area where the management recovery team will explain recovery procedures.  All persons that are part of the recovery are required to wear long pants (Jeans), work boots, Long sleeve shirt.   Without this proper attire, you will not be permitted back to the property. Please make sure that building management has all current contact information home, cell and pager numbers.

Below is a list of suggested supplies necessary for recovery. 

Please note:  Tenants are responsible for the clean up and cost of the clean up of their personal belongings in their suite after a disaster.  The items listed here are for tenant’s “personal” use and are at the tenants cost.  The building will not be able to provide these items.

• Photo ID with business card showing the building’s address
• Broom and dust pan
• Heavy duty trash bags
• Heavy gloves
• Water
• Cleaning supplies and materials, i.e. wash cloths, cleaning spray,
• Camera – to document damages
• Dolly cart