One request and only two things to talk about this month and they are both weather related
THE REQUEST:
If you see something damaged in the POA Common areas (outside your specific community) call the POA to report it. If it is inside your community call your HOA/Condo management company…..don’t assume someone else has reported it: The biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
THE WEATHER STUFF:
WATER RISES…
We are finally experiencing regular rainfall. All of the lakes and canals are connected and in the western part of the community are three major pumps and two secondary pumps that carry the water west and south out of PGA National.
This system is computer controlled and Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District oversees the functions of this equipment with personnel who are on call 24 hours per day. When the lakes reach “control” which the depth that NBPCID and South Florida Water Management have set for the highest point, the pumps automatically pump hundreds of thousands of gallons of water out of the lakes. It is truly amazing to see but if it has been raining hard for a while and you are a resident who lives further west (such as Villa d’Este, Burwick, etc), it may seem like the water is getting awfully close to your house and “nothing is happening”. I assure you it is happening.
Approximately ten years ago, we experienced approximately 30” of rain in a 24 hour period and although some owners had lake water within feet of their home, no one reported any water inside so the pumps DO work. Please be patient.
CLOSE TO BLOWN AWAY…
Since I can’t use the “H-word” I’m going to simply refer to it as a storm. Well, a really bad storm with lots of wind, rain and damage known as the dreaded “H”. Next month begins the most likely month for a storm. I know this because my birthday is in early September and I grew up in Miami, Florida. This means that every single year until I was old enough not to have parties (is there such a thing?) my birthday party was cancelled due to Betsy, Cleo, Donna…..ooops I’m telling you I’m OLD!
I’ve always said that I would rather live in Florida and deal with this type of storm and have days (sometimes weeks) to prepare, rather than live somewhere there are earthquakes or tornadoes that literally appear out of nowhere. In Florida, we know that the most likely time for a problem is June 1 – November 30 with late August through the end of October being the most active period during “storm” season.
PGA National allows owners with accordion shutters or clear panels to secure their home for the entire season (although I personally feel this also announces to the “bad guys” that you’re away). Metal panels, plywood and other types of shutters can only be installed at the issuance of a Warning (Not a Watch but a Warning). When Jeannie and Frances blew through the community a few years ago, the City of Palm Beach Gardens was nothing less than wonderful in their assistance in working with FEMA to get debris cleared quickly.
If you haven’t already made plans to have someone secure your home at the issuance of a severe storm warning, you should make those arrangements NOW. When the previous storms came through I was one of the last to leave the community as the storm was making landfall just south of us. Literally as I was walking out the door a resident called from “up north” asking if I had anyone who could go into his garage and put the storm panels up! Needless to say, it was way too late for that but I did get his address in PGA and his phone in Connecticut so I could report what happened after the storm passed (he was very fortunate and had no broken windows).
Here is the bottom line: clear branches and debris, potted plants and other accessories from around your home NOW. If you are not a full time resident, any accessory items and patio furniture should be stored inside so you don’t have a mad scramble to make someone else take care of your home when their own may need attention. If you live in a community where the association doesn’t trim the trees (such as Marlwood, Burwick, Glengary, Thurston, Preston, The Island, etc) hire a licensed arborist to trim your trees and “open up” the branches. This will (hopefully) allow wind to pass through the canopy instead of toppling the whole tree. “Hat-Racking” which is the process of removing all leaves and leaving only branches with a hat rack appearance is strictly forbidden by both PGA and the City of Palm Beach Gardens. Owners who ‘hat rack” tress could be subject to fines. This process actually results in a weakened tree structure so don’t do it!
As far as preparing your home, please look elsewhere here at pga-poa.com to find information about preparation before, during and after a storm. Wishing you a safe and happy summer!