Ready for Anything: Landlord Disaster Prep Tips for National Preparedness Month

September doesn’t just bring cooler weather and the start of pumpkin-spice season: It’s also National Preparedness Month. It’s the perfect time to remind you to get your rental properties ready for the unexpected. This FEMA-sponsored initiative has urged Americans to plan ahead for disasters every year since 2004. A few proactive steps taken before winter storms or other emergencies strike can make a big difference in protecting your tenants, your buildings, and your bottom line. From updating safety kits, creating a clear evacuation route to double-checking your insurance coverage, here are essential tips to help you mitigate risks and keep everyone safer if Mother Nature (or Murphy’s Law) brings trouble to your doorstep.

Plan an Escape Route (and Share It)

Every rental property should have a clear emergency evacuation plan, so tenants know how to exit safely and where to regroup in the event of a fire, flood, or storm. Map out primary and secondary escape routes from each unit, designate an outdoor or off-site meeting spot, and identify safe on-site shelter areas (like an interior room or basement) for severe weather events. Put the plan in writing, post it in common areas, and provide copies to tenants in their lease packet or handbook. For multistory buildings, even a simple drill or walk-through can help tenants become familiar with the process, making their response calmer and quicker when an actual emergency occurs.

Stock a Solid Emergency Kit

When disaster strikes, the right supplies can make all the difference. Take time to build or refresh an emergency kit with essentials to get through the first 48 to 72 hours, as FEMA recommends. Store a communal stash in a secure, accessible location for building-wide needs, and encourage tenants to keep personal kits in their units. Key items to include are:

• Water and nonperishable food: Aim for at least a three-day supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day) and easy-to-store foods for you or on-site staff.
• Lighting and power: Stock flashlights and extra batteries (or hand-crank flashlights) and maybe a portable phone charger or battery bank. These are safer than candles during power outages.
• First-aid kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any critical medical supplies. If you manage a larger complex, consider having an AED (automated external defibrillator) on-site.
• Communication tools: A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio can allow you to receive emergency updates if cell networks go down. Walkie-talkies can help staff communicate on-site.
• Other essentials: Spare face masks, work gloves, a basic tool kit, plastic sheeting and duct tape (for emergency repairs or sealing windows), and a copy of important contact numbers (maintenance, utility companies, local emergency management) are important to have.

Check kits annually for expired items and replace them as needed. By having these basics on hand, you can ride out most short-term emergencies and support your tenants until help arrives or utilities are restored.

Keep Tenants in the Loop

Communication is just as crucial as your plan. Well before any disaster looms, make sure you have a reliable way to reach your tenants quickly with alerts and updates. The middle of an emergency is not the time for you or your tenants to be scrambling for information.

• Collect updated contacts: Keep tenant phone numbers and emails current; use a mass text or email system for urgent alerts.
• Share information early: At move-in, provide tenants with evacuation routes, meeting spots, and emergency contacts; send an annual reminder each September.
• Post notices: Display hotline numbers and a one-page plan in common areas. Before storms, send quick updates with specific steps (e.g., “Outdoor furniture will be secured Friday”).
• Communicate during events: Send clear, frequent updates about outages, restricted areas, or repair timelines. Even a brief “We’re on it” reassures tenants.

By keeping open lines of communication, you help prevent panic and ensure everyone knows what to do. Tenants will appreciate a landlord who stays in touch and guides them through the crisis.

Prep Your Property for Mother Nature

Don’t wait for a storm watch to start securing your buildings. A few simple maintenance steps now can greatly reduce damage when severe weather hits:

• Clear gutters and drains: Prevent water backups and leaks by keeping them free of debris.
• Trim trees and secure loose items: Remove weak branches and store outdoor furniture to avoid wind damage.
• Check roofs, windows, and doors: Repair leaks, seal openings, and reinforce vulnerable spots.
• Test backup systems: Ensure sump pumps and generators work if flooding or outages occur.
• Check safety equipment: Confirm alarms and fire extinguishers are functional and up to date.

These quick checks can prevent small issues from turning into big disasters.

Review Your Coverage and Reap the Benefits of Preparedness

Emergencies can’t be predicted, but your readiness can. Now is the perfect time to review your insurance and make sure your policies match your property’s risks. Standard property policies often exclude perils like floods, yet 40% of flood claims come from low- or moderate-risk areas. Supplemental coverage, such as flood insurance, cyber protection, or loss-of-rents insurance, can safeguard your income and stability if disaster forces tenants out or interrupts operations. Don’t forget to encourage renters insurance for tenants, too, so their belongings are protected and claims don’t land back on you.

Taking these steps isn’t just about checking boxes; it’s about protecting your investment, strengthening tenant trust, and reducing long-term costs. Reach out to your Millers Mutual agent to make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes next.