September is National Preparedness month. Led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, this annual campaign reminds everyone, including community associations and homeowners, that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families and their communities safe. FEMA’s Ready Campaign encourages individuals and communities to prepare for emergencies.
This year’s theme, America Stands Ready, will focus on several distinct ideas that capture American pride and ability to protect families and communities and the importance of working together to recover from disasters.
- Americans stand ready to uphold their patriotic duty. When individuals are prepared and self-reliant, it bolsters the work of brave first responders during a crisis.
- Americans stand ready to protect family and friends. Neighbors know best how to keep loved ones safe when things go wrong.
- Americans stand ready to help communities. Taking a proactive approach contributes to the nation’s resilience.
When Americans and community associations take steps to prepare for disasters, every neighborhood and community is more resilient.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
The Foundation for Community Association Research published a Best Practices Report on Natural Disasters with an emphasis on disaster planning and preparedness for community associations. Every community should have a disaster plan, and this guide summarizes important elements of preparedness planning.
According to FEMA, natural disasters and severe weather have caused immense damage to communities across the U.S. this year. Wildfires and flooding in California, Washington, Oregon, Oklahoma, Arizona, Montana, Texas, New Mexico, Florida, and Nevada have caused considerable damage and upheaval in many communities.
Cleanup and rebuilding will be the primary focus for community associations affected by these disasters. There are steps community managers and boards should take now to increase the possibility of receiving assistance from FEMA for debris removal immediately following a presidentially declared emergency.
DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM PRIVATE COMMUNITIES
If your community owns its roads, they are considered private. FEMA has specific requirements for removing debris from private roads. Debris must be removed by your local municipality; FEMA will not reimburse the community association for debris removal.
If your community association did not submit a right of entry indemnification form prior to the natural disaster, follow these steps before hiring a contractor to remove debris:
- Contact your local municipality as soon as possible and provide it with an example of a resolution the locality may pass to meet the legal obligation of removing debris. Complete a right of entry indemnification form, which FEMA requires for reimbursements.
- Wait for your locality to remove debris since only localities can be reimbursed by FEMA. The community association will not be reimbursed by FEMA for debris removal.
- Hire a private contactor only if you are denied assistance by FEMA.
Debris removal costs can be a financial burden for a community association. As taxpayers, CAI believes all community association residents have the right to benefit from federal disaster response, recovery, and mitigation resources. CAI advocates for closer coordination between community associations and FEMA to ensure community association interests are reflected in the design of federal disaster mitigation grants.
ADVOCATE FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE FAIRNESS FOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
CAI continues to support efforts to ensure community associations have equal access to critical federal disaster assistance following federally declared natural disasters. CAI is proud to support three key pieces of legislation to help community associations recover and rebuild after natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, snowstorms, and to protect residents and infrastructure.
CAI members can help gather support for these bills by urging their members of Congress to sign on as cosponsors. Members of Congress need to hear from constituents about why these pieces of legislation are critical to providing community associations with equitable response and recovery efforts following federally declared natural disasters.
Spearheaded by CAI and introduced by North Carolina lawmakers Rep. David Rouzer and Sen. Ted Budd, H.R. 834 and S.352 would make two major changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act:
- Provides a mechanism for all homeowner associations to have debris removed on private roads and waterways by their local municipality through FEMA funding.
- Makes essential common elements of a condominium and housing cooperative such as a roof, exterior wall, heating and cooling equipment, elevators, and utility access eligible under FEMA’s Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program.
CAI also is proud to support H.R. 4669, the FEMA Act of 2025. The bill introduced by Missouri Rep. Sam Graves contains identical language to H.R. 834 / S. 352 and would create a fair foundation of disaster assistance for community associations.
The third initiative CAI is proud to support is H.R. 9159, The Protect Our Homes Act. Introduced by Florida Rep. Darren Soto, this bill would create a new loan program for community associations’ disaster recovery and mitigation.
National Weather Service Guidance for Homeowners and Associations
The National Weather Service also issued comprehensive guidance for homeowners and associations that include these simple steps:
- Learn Your Risks & Responses – Be informed.
- Sign up for weather and news emergency alerts.
- Follow social media platforms related to disaster updates
- Familiarize yourself with shelter and evacuation plans in your region.
- Make your plan.
- Build a supply kit.
- Support community peers during response periods.
Federal & National Resources for Community Boards and Managers
- FEMA’s Ready.gov site. https://www.ready.gov/
- FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team program. https://www.ready.gov/cert
- American Red Cross Emergency App. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html
- NOAA Emergency Alerts & Weather Radios. https://www.weather.gov/nwr/
Having a clear disaster plan in place makes a huge difference for HOAs when severe weather hits. It is easy for community boards to overlook emergency preparedness until crisis strikes, so this is a great reminder to review procedures and FEMA resources now.
This is a great reminder for HOA boards and property managers. Having an updated disaster plan in place before an emergency strikes makes all the difference when it comes to navigating FEMA assistance and keeping residents safe.
Great reminder for HOA boards. We often put off reviewing our emergency plans until a disaster is already on the horizon, but having clear procedures and documentation ready beforehand makes dealing with recovery and FEMA so much smoother.
This is a great reminder for HOA boards to review their emergency action plans before disaster strikes. Coordinating early and understanding the steps needed to qualify for FEMA relief can save communities so much time and stress during recovery.