The month of March marked the beginning of the active tornado season in Texas. With wind speeds reaching more than 250 mph, tornadoes are some of nature’s most devastating storms. Preparing your family’s home by having an emergency plan in place is very important in keeping your family safe and lessening the effects a tornado can have on your home.

Contact your Dallas HOA management company to see if your association has an emergency plan in the event of a tornado.

• Know the terms that are used to identify and label different tornado hazards. Is it merely a thunderstorm warning or is it a tornado warning? Knowing the difference between a watch and a warning is very important. A tornado watch means a tornado is possible in your area. A tornado warning means a tornado has actually been spotted in your area, and you need to take shelter immediately!
• Know in advance where you plan to take shelter when a tornado warning is issued. Have a plan of action for your family. Consult with your Dallas HOA management company about designated ’safe areas’ in your community (e.g. clubhouses, storm shelters, etc.).
• When taking shelter in your home, avoid all windows! If your home has a storm cellar or basement, go there for protection. If you do not have a cellar or basement, go to the innermost room in your home (e.g. bathroom, closet, etc.).
• Whatever you do, never try to outrun a tornado! Vehicles are easily tossed by straight line winds and are left vulnerable to wind-blown debris.

If you’re a board member or homeowner living in a Dallas HOA make sure you have adequate homeowner’s insurance coverage and that your association is covered for storm damage. Talk with your Dallas HOA management company about acquiring additional coverage during tornado season.

Does your Dallas homeowners associations regularly have new members move in? Or, do you live in a fairly new Dallas HOA that is currently under development? One idea for your Dallas HOA board of directors to consider is holding a town hall meeting for new members. Consider it an orientation from your Dallas HOA management company representative, the board, and the developer if they want to be involved.

Dallas HOA Management Welcomes New Homeowners

What types of things can you cover in a new member town hall meeting?

1.  Make sure everyone feels welcome. Let the new members know you are glad they moved into the neighborhood and help them feel cared about. Offer to answer any questions about the location of businesses or schools in the area. This is a great forum for people to share their ideas about which teacher to request at the local elementary school, or which teacher to avoid at the local high school. Also, the board members and/or the Dallas HOA management company community manager can give the new members tips on local businesses they may want to frequent. Often, new members wonder where people get their dry cleaning done, or ask where the closest day care center is, etc.

2.  Review the reason for your Dallas HOA. Share the purpose of the homeowners association to those that are new to the association. Maybe the new homeowner has never owned a home in a homeowners association, or even owned a home period. Explain the benefits to the association and the obligations. Your Dallas HOA management company representative can really help out here by describing all of the benefits a Dallas HOA brings to a neighborhood and also describing the processes and procedures set forth by the board for th

e operation of the Dallas HOA.

3.  Have copies of the governing documents available for new members. Make sure to provide time for new members to ask questions about the rules and regulations and how to comply with them. Most people want to comply with the rules. Pointing out a few areas in the rules that may be frequent problems and/or areas of the rules that are very unique to your Dallas HOA is often helpful. Your Dallas HOA management company representative can assist by describing the architectural review process for your Houston neighborhood. You may consider having your ACC or ARC committee chairperson doing this as well.