Some mobile home parks don't want clubhouses used as hurricane shelters

In past years some mobile home parks in Bonita Springs allowed residents, with no where to go during a hurricane, to seek shelter in community clubhouses, but because of liability concerns many are encouraging their residents to make plans early for other accommodations.

Spring Creek Village's homeowners association board recently voted to disallow use of their clubhouse as a shelter, during any potential storms this summer. Richard "Mo" Mosciski, SCV's board president, said Monday it was a liability concern for residents' safety. Their clubhouse, he said, is not up to current code, and they recently had an inspector from Lee County Emergency Management come out to survey the area to see what would need to be done to make the clubhouse a secure option.

"We're waiting on the report," Mosciski said.

Depending on what that report says, the board will reassess the situation again in the future, but for now it's uncertain whether the clubhouse is safe enough to be a viable option.

Gerald Campbell, Chief of Planning for Lee County Emergency Management, said on occasion his department will work with local mobile home parks to certify a clubhouse for use as a shelter, but it is not required. It's not an ongoing certification process, but one that is voluntary for older parks who are grandfathered into old code, rather than up to date requirements for parks built today. According to Campbell, inspectors from their office can identify any possible on-site buildings within a park that could be used as a shelter.

"It lessens the liability concern for parks," Campbell said, adding, "It does become a liability issue."

Imperial Bonita Estates, another older park in Bonita Springs, does not use their clubhouse as a shelter, either. According to Community Association Manager Hank Duarte said they have produced a complete procedural manual with emergency contacts and step by step procedures, including evacuation routes and directions to nearby shelters.

Photo by LIANE EDIXON, Banner

Mary Mack, of Spring Creek Village, says although she is concerned for her neighbors, who will not be able to seek shelter at the mobile home park's club house during any threatening hurricanes this summer, she's got a friend she can stay with.

"If there's a mandatory evacuation we ask everyone to leave," Duarte said. After the storm, Duarte and his staff come back to evaluate the conditions before allowing residents to come back into the park and then they assist residents with whatever they might need. Duarte and his staff are currently working on a prospective seminar on managing hurricane readiness for hurricanes held at Imperial Bonita Estates. The seminar will be produced in conjunction with Lee County Emergency Management, which will be open to all RV parks and Bonita Springs residents.

Lime Tree Park, in Bonita Springs, said most of their residents evacuate if there are any hurricanes.

According to park manager Rachel Barnell, their clubhouse is not a zoned shelter, but in a worst case scenario situation they have let and will let residents ride out the storm in there.

"They can stay at their own risk," Barnell said. "It's definitely safer than their unit."

Residents at Spring Creek Village can come back to the park and seek shelter at the clubhouse after the storm has passed. The clubhouse has a generator, so it will have a working air conditioning and ice machine.

Mary Mack, a resident of Spring Creek Village for 25 years, said everybody is concerned about everything.

Photo by LIANE EDIXON, Banner

Spring Creek Village mobile home park's Homeowners Association voted to discontinue their use of the club house for residents to occupy as a hurricane shelter during storms until they find out what all is entailed in getting certified by the Lee County Emergency Operations Center.

"There's always something to be concerned about," Mack said.

Last year, Mack lost her carport and porch, and doesn't want to lose it again. She said young people in the area don't worry as much about hurricanes, but it affects the older population a good deal. She said she feels for the neighbors who might not have somewhere to go, but if a hurricane comes while she is in town this summer, she has a friend she can stay with.

Campbell urged residents to plan early, and to keep an eye out for not just shelters close to them, but to what shelters are actually opened at the time.

"There's a shortage of shelter spaces in Lee County," Campbell said.

Mandatory evacuations are generally issued for mobile home parks because manufactured homes are not built to withstand hurricane force winds. In Bonita Springs, the YMCA on Kent Road is a designated hurricane shelter, with the capacity to fit 350 people. First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs is also a shelter, with the capacity to fit 50 people. Other nearby shelters include Germain Arena on Everblades Parkway and Estero High School on River Ranch Road.

Hurricane readiness pamphlets suggest mobile home owners:

• Make a plan to stay with friends or family

• Be sure to tell others where you will go

• Prepare a supply kit and keep it close by

• Obtain a weather radio with an alarm feature

• Have tie-down straps and anchors maintained regularly, checking for erosion

• Cover windows and doors to prevent flying debris