The winter of 2017 was one for the books. From relentless rainstorms on the West Coast causing floods and landslides, to deep freezes hitting Montana at 40 below, and hurricanes slamming the East Coast—Mother Nature reminded us just how unpredictable and unforgiving she can be.
In the midst of every natural disaster, one thought often comes to mind: “What if that was my property?” And more importantly—“Who would handle the aftermath?”
For many investors and landlords, property management is often thought of as tenant placement, maintenance coordination, and rent collection. But in times of crisis, a professional property manager becomes your first responder.
Before the Storm: Preparedness Is Everything
A proactive property management team doesn’t wait until disaster strikes. We prepare ahead of time to safeguard both your investment and your tenants' well-being. At Oracle Property Solutions, this includes:
Clearing gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding
Checking sump pumps in basements and crawl spaces
Trimming trees away from roofs and powerlines
Advising tenants to stock up on emergency supplies
Coordinating generator access for remote properties
Ensuring vendors are on standby for urgent calls
Providing sandbags or weather alerts when necessary
When Technology Matters: Staying Connected During Crisis
In disaster situations, communication is key—and downtime is not an option. That’s why our systems are cloud-based, ensuring we can continue operations even if the physical office is inaccessible.
Imagine an office lost to fire or flood—no access to leases, accounting records, or even keys. It’s a worst-case scenario that can be avoided with the right digital infrastructure.
The Importance of a Disaster Plan
Just like fire departments run drills and encourage emergency readiness, property managers should have a formal disaster response plan. At Oracle, we take this seriously.
Here are just a few essentials we monitor monthly, quarterly, and annually:
Updated owner and tenant emergency contact info
Verification of tenant renter’s insurance
Backup phone systems with emergency messaging
Off-site and cloud-based backups of leases, maintenance records, accounting data
Remote access to vendor contact info
Social media (like our Facebook page) with live updates during crises
Regular disaster response drills with our team
After the Storm: Where the Work Begins
Once a weather event has passed, your property manager steps into action:
Assessing damage to the property
Obtaining bids from trusted vendors
Managing repairs and restoration
Coordinating temporary housing for displaced tenants
Working with insurance companies on behalf of the owner
Keeping owners informed every step of the way
This is where true property management value shines. It’s not just about having vendors—it’s about having relationships that get you to the front of the line when every minute counts.
Your Property Manager Is Part of Your Emergency Team
When disaster strikes, having a trusted, prepared property manager in your corner makes all the difference. At Oracle Property Solutions, we pride ourselves on being more than just managers—we’re your first line of defense during emergencies.
If you're a property owner, ask yourself:
Does your property management company have a disaster plan?
Do you know your role when an emergency happens?
If not, let’s talk. We’ll walk you through our process and ensure you’re informed, prepared, and protected—because that’s what true partnership looks like.
