Natural disasters are certainly not our favorite thing to think about, but the truth is: that they can strike at any moment. You have seen what a wildfire can do, or a major flood event. As a landlord in Killeen, ensuring both your rental property and tenants are prepared for such events is an important part of protecting your property. Not only does this keep your investment safe and mitigate further damage, but it also prioritizes tenant safety—a key part of responsible rental property management.
There are many ways to deal with a crisis. As Killeen property management experts, we find ourselves handling emergencies all the time. There’s a process in place to address just about every potential problem. But, when those crises come from the outside world, they’re a little more unpredictable.
That doesn’t mean that we can’t prepare for them.
We can and we should. Here’s a look at our crisis management plan, which we recommend you adopt as your own so that you can prepare for natural disasters and avoid the worst-case scenarios.
Importance of Disaster Preparedness
Before we dive into specific strategies, let’s take a moment to reflect on why preparing for natural disasters is non-negotiable when you own investment property:
- You Have to Protect Those Property Investments. Repairs from natural disasters can be costly. Without the right insurance or a solid reserve, some property owners never recover from a single bad event. Proactive measures can reduce damage and associated expenses.
- It’s Important to Prioritize Tenant Safety. Tenants rely on landlords to ensure their living environment is safe and secure, especially during emergencies. Your tenants will look to you for guidance and instructions when a disaster occurs. Make sure you’re available and willing to take on a leadership role.
- Good Planning Mitigates Liability. Proper preparation can help shield landlords from potential legal issues arising from inadequate emergency planning. You’ll want to document and follow every process that you have in place.
Common Natural Disasters in Killeen
Texas is known for its wide-open landscapes and diverse climate. This is a part of the country that is also exposed to extreme weather and a range of potential natural disasters that residents should be aware of. If you live here, you know that we have seen extreme heat, and surprise freezes, and everything is better. If you own property here but you live elsewhere, you must understand what kind of severe weather events are likely to occur in this part of Texas. From weird weather to geological phenomena, it seems like anything is possible. Being prepared is key to ensuring safety and minimizing risk.
Here are some of the common and even the less common natural disasters that you’ll want to think about.
- Hurricanes
Texas’ extensive coastline makes it vulnerable to hurricanes. These massive storm systems bring strong winds, and heavy rain, and can cause severe flooding and damage. The Gulf Coast, including cities like Houston and Galveston, is particularly susceptible. While Killeen is not a coastal city and thus we are never in danger of being a direct hit when a hurricane approaches Texas, a strong tropical storm is still capable of doing some serious damage even in our inland area. High winds and drenching rains are possible. There could be flooding.
Have an evacuation plan ready just in case the storm is so strong that there’s a threat to life. You’ll want to encourage your tenants to have an emergency supply kit with essentials like water, food, and medications. During a hurricane on the Gulf Coast, stay informed with the latest weather updates and official advisories.
- Tornadoes
Far more likely than hurricanes are tornadoes. Tornadoes are a real threat to Texas, and these powerful windstorms can cause significant destruction in a very short period of time. There’s not always a lot of time to act in the moment when a tornado is bearing down, and that’s why preparation and calm are so important. Identify a safe room in your rental home, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor, and let tenants know that’s the place to shelter if a tornado approaches. Provide instructions on how to practice tornado drills with your renters.
- Floods
Heavy rains, especially during tropical weather or severe storms, can lead to flooding. Texas’ vast rivers and low-lying areas are prone to this hazard. This is especially dangerous in the summer when frequent rain is common. Know your flood risk and have a flood insurance policy if you’re in a high-risk area. Caution tenants that they should avoid driving through flooded areas. Elevate utilities and appliances in your home if flooding is a frequent concern.
- Wildfires
In dry, hot conditions, wildfires can quickly spread across Texas, particularly in rural and wooded areas. Our scorching, dry summers increase the risk significantly. If you’ve been watching California for the last several years, you know how devastating a wildfire can be to people and property. Here are some of the preparedness tips you might want to consider: Create a defensible space at your property by clearing flammable vegetation around your structure. Have an evacuation plan in place for yourself and your tenants. Regularly clean out gutters and roofs to remove debris that could catch fire.
- Droughts
Texas is not immune to prolonged periods of drought, affecting water supply and agriculture. While less immediately dangerous, droughts can have long-term economic impacts. During these periods of no rain, you’ll want to make sure your tenants are conserving water. You’ll need to follow any watering and irrigation restrictions. Plan for water shortages, and communicate those plans to your tenants, especially if you’re in a particularly drought-prone area.
Steps to Prepare Your Killeen Rental Property
How can you protect your investment and the tenants who are living there? We have some specific steps that you can take. These are general, meaning they’re applicable to everyone. If you’d like a customized emergency plan for your property, get in touch with us.
- Conduct a Risk Assessment
You have to know where you’re most at risk. Understanding the specific risks your property faces is the first step in effective disaster preparedness. Evaluate geographical and environmental factors to identify potential threats, such as fires, floods, or hurricanes. This assessment will guide your preparedness strategies and resource allocation.
- Strengthen the Property Structure
The way you prepare for a potential emergency will often depend on the age and condition of your property. Don’t put off or defer repairs and upgrades that are necessary. Stay on top of your maintenance and invest in structural improvements that can mitigate damage during natural disasters. This might include reinforcing roofs and foundations, installing storm shutters or impact-resistant windows, or elevating electrical systems and appliances to prevent flood damage.
- Develop an Emergency Plan
Crafting a comprehensive emergency plan is critical for your tenant’s safety and for the preservation of your property. Ensure your emergency plan includes evacuation routes and meeting points. You’ll want to have contact information for emergency services and government agencies. Make sure your tenants have utility shut-off instructions. Provide a list of emergency supplies and their locations.
Share this plan with your tenants and encourage them to participate in regular reviews so they’re not caught off-guard if this plan becomes necessary.
- Review Insurance Coverage
Review your property insurance policies to ensure they cover natural disasters relevant to your location. Consider additional coverage if necessary, such as flood insurance, which isn’t typically included in standard policies. Remember that the value of your property changes over time. Make sure you have enough coverage to compete and rebuild if you have to.
Steps to Prepare Your Killeen Tenants
Talk about emergency planning with your tenants. You’ll want to both educate and communicate. Keep your tenants informed about the risks they face and how they can prepare. Provide resources and guidelines on creating personal emergency kits and encourage open communication about their concerns or needs.
Make sure you’ve equipped your rental property with enough emergency supplies. Ideally, your tenants will maintain personal emergency kits, but who knows if they will. It’s beneficial to store essential supplies in your property, such as first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, and even a pack of bottled water.
Regularly check and replenish these supplies to ensure they are ready for use.
Decide how you will communicate during an emergency or a natural disaster. Establish a reliable method for communicating with tenants during emergencies, such as texts or an email alert system. Keeping them informed with timely updates can help maintain order and reduce panic.
Proactively preparing your Killeen rental property and tenants for natural disasters is a fundamental aspect of effective rental property management. With this outline of a crisis management plan, you can protect your investment while ensuring tenant safety, creating a secure living environment that provides for tenant satisfaction and loyalty.
Let’s talk about how prepared you are. Contact us at Shine Residential Management.
A property management company based in Harker Heights, Shine Residential Management cares for exceptional single-family homes throughout Central Texas, including in Killeen, Temple, Belton, Copperas Cove, Salado, and Georgetown.
