Common Items That Could Become Projectiles During a Hurricane

Living in an association-governed community offers numerous benefits, from shared amenities to organized maintenance. However, during extreme weather events like hurricanes, it's important to be aware of potential hazards that can threaten safety. One major concern: everyday items that can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.

By identifying and securing these items ahead of time, you can help protect your home, your neighbors, and your entire community during hurricane season.

Why Hurricane Season Preparation Matters for HOAs

Hurricane season is a critical time for association-governed communities to prioritize preparation and safety. Running from June through November, the Atlantic hurricane season brings significant risks not only to individual homes but also to common areas, shared amenities, and overall community infrastructure.

For homeowners' associations (HOAs), understanding the dangers of hurricane-force winds, storm surges, and flooding is essential. Proactive planning — such as securing outdoor items, trimming trees, maintaining community signage, and encouraging residents to prepare emergency kits — can help reduce potential damage, minimize liability, and protect association assets.

By taking early action, HOAs can strengthen community resilience, support resident safety, and mitigate costly repairs and insurance claims after a storm.

Identifying and Securing Potential Projectiles in Your Community

Before hurricane season intensifies, it's essential for homeowners' associations (HOAs) and residents to assess their communities for common items that could become dangerous projectiles. Proactively securing these items can help prevent property damage, personal injuries, and costly recovery efforts after a storm.

Below, we highlight some of the most important areas to address.

Securing Outdoor Items

Securing outdoor items is a crucial step in preparing for hurricane season. Strong winds can turn loose objects into dangerous projectiles, causing significant damage to homes and injuring people. Patio furniture, potted plants, and outdoor decorations can become projectiles in intense winds, leading to broken windows, roof damage, and other forms of damage. 

To prevent this, homeowners can use ground anchors, ropes, and weights to secure outdoor items. Additionally, trimming trees and removing dead branches can help reduce the risk of branches becoming projectiles. It’s also essential to bring indoor items that could become projectiles, such as trash cans and recycling bins, to a secure location. By taking these steps, homeowners can help prevent wind damage, reduce the risk of power outages, and ensure their family’s safety during severe weather conditions.

Outdoor Furniture and Decorations

One of the most common items in association-governed communities that can become projectiles during a hurricane is patio furniture and decorations. Chairs, tables, umbrellas, and other outdoor items can easily be lifted and thrown by strong winds, posing a significant danger to people and property. It is crucial to secure these items or move them indoors before a hurricane approaches.

Additionally, documenting damage to the home's exterior, including the roof, walls, and windows, is essential for insurance purposes. Taking comprehensive photos and videos ensures all damage is thoroughly recorded for assessment.

Storing patio furniture and decorations in a secure location, such as a garage or storage unit, can prevent them from becoming hazardous projectiles during a storm.

Trash and Recycling Bins

Another often overlooked item that can transform into a dangerous projectile during a hurricane is the humble trash and recycling bin. These seemingly innocuous objects can be easily moved by strong winds, causing damage to buildings, vehicles, and even individuals in their path.

To prevent this, make sure to securely anchor your trash and recycling bins to the ground or bring them indoors ahead of a hurricane. This small precaution can go a long way in safeguarding your community from unnecessary risks. Additionally, having a family emergency plan in place is crucial. Establish a meeting point, emergency contacts, and ensure all family members are familiar with evacuation routes, shelter locations, and communication strategies during disasters.

Building Materials and Construction Debris

In association-governed communities, construction and maintenance projects may be underway, resulting in the presence of building materials and debris.

During a hurricane, loose boards, nails, shingles, and other construction materials can turn into dangerous projectiles if not properly secured. It is crucial to ensure that all construction sites are properly maintained and that any loose materials are promptly removed or adequately secured. This will help prevent potential accidents and injuries during severe weather conditions.

After the storm, assessing damage is essential to ensure safety and proper documentation. This step is crucial for planning recovery efforts and effectively managing the damage.

Signage and Decorative Elements

Signage, such as community entrance signs, directional signs, and decorative elements, can become hazardous during a hurricane. Strong winds can uproot or break these signs, turning them into projectiles that can cause severe damage.

Regularly inspect the condition of signage in your community and ensure that it is securely installed. If signs are damaged or at risk of becoming projectiles, report it to the community association or relevant authorities to have them repaired or removed promptly.

Additionally, it is crucial to understand and practice evacuation routes. Regularly review local government resources and ensure all family members are familiar with evacuation routes and shelter locations to respond effectively during a hurricane.

Trees and Branches

Trees provide shade and enhance the beauty of association-governed communities, but during a hurricane, they can become a significant risk. Falling branches or uprooted trees can damage buildings and vehicles and endanger lives. It is also crucial to identify low-lying areas that are prone to flooding, as these areas can be particularly vulnerable during heavy rainfall and storm surges.

Regularly inspect trees in your community and trim branches that are weak, overhanging structures, or close to power lines. This proactive approach will help minimize the potential for trees and branches to become projectiles during a hurricane. Additionally, severe flooding can occur during hurricanes, causing significant destruction alongside violent winds and torrential rains.

Strengthening Community Safety During Hurricane Season

Identifying and securing potential projectiles, such as patio furniture, trash bins, construction debris, signage, and trees, is a crucial step in protecting your community during hurricane season. Addressing these hazards early can significantly reduce the risk of injury, property damage, and costly recovery efforts.

In addition to physical preparations, it’s essential to:

• Review and update your community’s insurance coverage, ensuring protection against flood and storm damage.
• Keep thorough records of any property conditions and damages to streamline post-storm insurance claims.
• Follow local authority guidance when it comes to evacuations, returning to flooded areas, or using municipal water supplies.

By working together, maintaining clear communication, and staying proactive, HOAs and residents can create a safer, more resilient environment for everyone. Preparedness isn’t just about safeguarding property — it’s about protecting the well-being of the entire community.

Exceptional HOA Management for Unpredictable Times

Our HOA management services help communities prepare effectively, minimize hazards, and stay resilient. With our commitment to service excellence, you can count on us to support your community every step of the way—before, during, and after the storm. Partner with RealManage and experience the difference expert management makes. Contact us to learn more.