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2017 saw some of the most extreme weather in years and ended with debilitating blizzards that blew across the east coast and the south.
Schools were cancelled, roads were slicked over, and many were left woefully unprepared. If you are apart of an HOA, you can do more to prepare yourself and your neighborhood for winter blizzards, whether you expected them or not.
Hire Snow Removal
If you regularly get snow and ice in your neighborhood, it may be worth the cost to hire a snow removal service. Snow plows don’t often shovel side streets, and even if they do, the roads could be left with slick and dangerous ice. Snow removal services can also shovel sidewalks on public facilities, parking lots, and areas that the HOA is responsible for.
Salt Public Spaces
If your HOA has a gym, pool, or other public facilities, the sidewalks leading to these areas should be shoveled and salted. Going to the trouble of making the neighborhood safer will help your HOA avoid any potentially costly lawsuits. Dirt is also a good alternative to provide traction on sidewalks and rough patches in the road.
Anticipate Damage
If you live in an area that doesn’t typically get snowfall (though neighborhoods in annually cold areas are also at risk), your house as well as public facilities in the HOA might not be outfitted for the cold. Watch for frozen pipes, AC units, and/or damaged roofs. If you are worried about certain parts of your house, consider repairing and replacing these areas before disaster strikes.
Stockpile Necessities
While this goes for any disaster, this especially goes for extreme weather. If you are unexpectedly snowed in, it pays to have extra food and water that may last you a couple of days. A radio can also keep you tuned in to weather reports. And if you live somewhere remote or vulnerable to power outages, a small generator and space heaters could be all the difference in the world.
Drive Carefully
Snow and ice can be deceptive. Road conditions can look harmless but turn deadly quick, so be sure that you and any other drivers in your house know to drive carefully and safely on the road. If you live in a neighborhood with a hill, even a slight one, it is worth the extra minute to research tips on driving in the snow. Buy new tires if yours are old, and if conditions are especially bad, consider putting on tire chains.
