What Recent Hurricanes Taught Us About Emergency Response and Readiness

The 2024 hurricane season delivered more than high winds and heavy rain. It exposed critical safety gaps in how residential communities and commercial properties prepare for and respond to emergencies. Two major hurricanes, Milton and Helene, made landfall within weeks of each other, straining emergency resources and leaving many properties struggling to respond. At our emergency dispatch center, we handled an influx of real-world emergency calls from buildings facing elevator entrapments, communication breakdowns, and delayed rescues. 

These were not theoretical scenarios. They were urgent, time-sensitive events experienced by real people, including residents trapped in elevators during extended outages, property managers left without vendor support, and staff navigating complex emergencies in unpredictable conditions. 

For building owners, property managers, and staff, the takeaway is clear: proactive planning is essential. Based on real emergency call data, here are key takeaways from those storm responses that can help properties of all types strengthen their emergency preparedness strategies. 

The Imperative of Reliable Communication 

When severe weather strikes, communication is one of the first things to fail, and one of the most important things to protect. During Hurricane Milton, widespread outages left many traditional phone lines non-functional. In one case, a resident trapped in an elevator in Bradenton, Florida, was unable to connect with the office through the building’s standard line. That property wasn’t alone. Numerous emergency calls during both storms highlighted how quickly communication infrastructure can be compromised. 

These incidents reinforce the urgency of modernizing outdated emergency communication systems. Analog lines (POTS) are being phased out nationwide, and personal cell service is often unreliable in major storms. Cellular emergency phones, particularly those built to operate on a priority network like FirstNet®, are becoming a foundational element of modern preparedness. 

FirstNet® is the federal network for first responders and critical communications, offering priority and preemption during high-traffic periods. Kings III offers the only FirstNet® Capable emergency phone solution on the market. During Hurricanes Milton and Helene, buildings equipped with cellular systems for elevator, pool, and help phones were able to maintain communication when analog systems failed. That level of connectivity allowed dispatchers to act immediately, ensuring a faster response and reducing uncertainty. 

If you’re unsure whether your emergency communication systems can operate on a priority network, it’s worth asking your provider. In emergencies, every second counts, and communication is non-negotiable. 

Power Failures Are Inevitable. Redundancy Isn’t Optional 

In Miami during Hurricane Helene, widespread power outages impacted elevators, emergency lighting, and phone systems across multiple properties. While not all calls involved entrapments, many revealed just how vital backup systems are to continuity. 

Properties with battery-backed emergency phones and cellular monitoring were able to maintain consistent communication, allowing dispatchers to quickly triage the situation and keep building staff informed. That kind of assurance matters to residents, especially during prolonged service interruptions. 

But this kind of reliability is only possible with the right redundancies in place. Elevator emergency phones must have battery backup, and many are required to under code. Backup communication protocols, like failover monitoring centers that stay online when primary systems are down, are equally important. 

It’s also important to regularly test and maintain these systems. We recommend confirming battery functionality well before hurricane season begins to avoid surprises when it counts. 

Manage Risk Around Elevator Use Through Proactive Planning 

Despite warnings and clear signage, people often continue to use elevators as storms approach. Our emergency call logs show a pattern: avoidable entrapments during storm events. In one case, a resident in Orlando became trapped between floors in the early morning hours of the storm, even though public warnings had already been issued. 

Fortunately, the building used Kings III emergency phones. A dispatcher stayed on the line to reassure the resident while another contacted emergency responders. Still, it raised important questions: Had the elevators been shut down in time? Were residents properly informed? 

Proactive planning is key. Some properties shut down elevators at a predetermined threshold of storm intensity. Others hold regular resident meetings or provide written communication detailing safe practices during hurricane season. Elevators are high-risk zones during power disruptions, and residents need to know what to do before the weather turns severe. 

Prepare for Delayed First Responder Access 

Storm conditions can delay emergency response by hours or even days. One call from a high-rise in Miami Beach during Hurricane Helene illustrated this clearly. A resident was trapped, and while the building contacted its elevator vendor, no technician was available due to storm conditions. Local first responders were also delayed due to call volume and access issues. 

Emergency action plans are essential. Properties should: 

• Keep an updated list of emergency contacts, including service vendors, utilities, and local emergency agencies. 

• Ensure emergency communication systems are monitored by trained professionals capable of triaging and verifying calls. 

• Regularly train building staff on emergency protocols, including what to do when external help is delayed. 

• Test all emergency phone systems for compliance and functionality. 

• Provide multilingual, accessible resident communication materials that account for a range of physical and cognitive needs. 

Preparedness is about ensuring your property can operate independently, even if external support isn’t immediately available. 

Encourage Evacuation Early and Clearly 

Evacuation confusion was a recurring theme during both hurricanes. Some residents didn’t know whether they should leave, while others delayed too long and faced dangerous conditions trying to evacuate late. 

For multifamily buildings, especially those in coastal or flood-prone areas, it is essential to have a clear evacuation policy. Consider: 

• Setting defined storm categories that trigger evacuation advisories. 

• Using pre-approved templates for mass text or voice alerts. 

• Coordinating with local agencies or transportation providers in advance. 

It’s equally important to assign responsibility. Who sends the alert? Who follows up? Who documents that communication occurred? In a high-stakes situation, clarity is critical. 

Post-Storm Recovery: Review, Report and Improve 

Once a storm passes, the recovery phase begins quickly. Associations and property managers should prioritize internal debriefs with board members, staff, and residents. 

These meetings can highlight what worked, what didn’t work, and what could be improved. Documentation is essential—not just for insurance claims and compliance, but for building institutional knowledge and vendor accountability. 

Why Comprehensive Preparedness Pays Off 

The storms of 2024 underscored the need for more than basic emergency prep. Communication, power redundancy, resident education, and contingency planning are no longer optional. They are essential components of a modern emergency strategy. 

If you’re reviewing your current emergency communication systems or exploring how cellular solutions can enhance your preparedness plan, we can help. Learn more about Kings III’s emergency communication systems and support services.

Have questions about compliance or need an emergency phone solution? We’re here to help.

Tyler Williams – Digital Marketing Coordinator at Kings III of America. Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn.