Dear Fellow Sea Horse Park Members
Once a state of emergency is declared the HOA under the condominium act can perform all necessary meetings to gather information, I have been asked these main questions:
- What is the BOD doing?
It’s called declaration of a state of emergency: by the governor for 17 counties; we were in 1 county
· After Hurricane Helene
· Less than 2 weeks later Hurricane Milton
· No clubhouse useable or communication equipment
· No power
· No internet
· No place to stay at Sea Horse
· Mold growing everywhere inside if not cut out, risk of units being condemned
· Personal Cell phones ok but need to charge in car
· Gasoline shortages, so being conservative with cell and gasoline
· All trying to deal with our own places destroyed
· Hunkering down in safety for a hurricane Milton : no power again
· Family members fearing for the safety of those in Florida
· We are all in same situation if in Florida
· It was a mandatory evacuation zone
We have been unsuccessful in the FEMA app
Process 4 folks have tried
I have called 1-800 get HOPE
Emailed the governor and white house- no response yet
I called the Media Spectrum News Bay 9- was told there are so many stories like ours, they won’t come out to cover the story..
2. DEBRIS and entire places gutted and in front of units
· As a property owner call 1800 get Hope for any assistance you may need
· As Each homeowner owns their piece of property and the unit on it: that has insurance: this is covered by your insurance company: please leverage that
· If applicable each homeowner seek FEMA assistance
· Regular garbage pick up is being done, but due to extensive debris- Pick up in garbage “ containers” only
· We have hired onsite workers ( manual ) at an average rate of $3500 per day, covering about 9 units daily…until more debris is then placed outside such as flooring & walls
This will be a direct unplanned expense of approximately $50,000 with just current debris, but difficult to sustain this work effort, knowing more debris will fill its place by those tearing out floors and walls
This is not an HOA responsibility; but due to the massive garbage debris we are concerned about rats and mold & folks health who are remaining in park. Health and Safety concerns became priority.
This option was selected as 1 company quoted us $300,000 to clean up in 4 days.
- Priority is to ensure “ roadways are passable”
The county has been called twice and registered Sea Horse Park- they cannot give pick up date- anyone have county connections that can assist?
3. Does the Sea Horse Park have Insurance?
· The PARK insurance is for 2 buildings: clubhouse& office, laundry room and pool, “park assets”, not for individual homeowners properties
· There has never been flood insurance in the park according to our broker, due to costs and coverage.
· Hurricane Helene damage was all water, so no coverage, no adjuster, no monies to repair, no claim can be filed
· Park truck has minor insurance: although ruined from 1st Hurricane
Hurricane Milton : resulted in “wind” damage therefore, any park assets damaged by wind are covered , an adjuster is coming out Date and time to be confirmed, they have 3 contacts to coordinate with for viewing, so the fencing was badly damaged from the 2nd storm. There is a 3% deductible for the HOA
4. What is the Future of the park?
- We need time to assess all damages and costs associated.
- This will then identify any financial gaps.
- Insurance adjuster will assess hurricane Milton damage.
- We need assistance to do FEMA, as currently it is loans only for businesses.
5. What can you as a homeowner do?
- Call 1-800-HOPE for any assistance
- Leverage your own insurance
- Leverage fema
- Clean up your property
- Help a neighbour
6. What is the BOD next steps, over and above trying to remedy their own places?
- Legal advice is scheduled this week for HOA options, financials, and understanding the future
https://pinellas.gov/what-to-do-when-you-have-storm-damage
Susan Pettigrew, President
Sea Horse Park Homeowners Association Inc.