Hurricane Safety

Updated: Monday, August 28, 2023

Dear Sonata Residents, Family Members, and Friends,

We are monitoring Tropical Storm Idalia as it makes its way towards the west coast of Florida. While the path remains uncertain and can change quickly, I want to advise that we have enacted our hurricane safety preparedness plan to ensure you and your loved one’s safety & service delivery. This includes:

•  A comprehensive emergency management and emergency environmental control plan review.
•  Completed inventory of all ‘Hurricane Season’ materials and additional supplies purchased where necessary.
•  Completed generator review with any necessary generators ‘topped off’ with fuel.
•  Confirmed staffing with contingency plans should an event occur.
•  Emergency food, water, medications, and oxygen on standby for immediate delivery if necessary.

Our leadership team is no stranger to these type of weather events, and we will continue to communicate any necessary updates through Facebook and email communications from your Executive Director. If you have not followed us on Facebook, now is a great time to do so!

Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Community Executive Director via email or cell phone. In the event you are unable to reach them on their cell phone and there is an emergency, please reach out to us via email at [email protected] for assistance.

You will continue to receive additional information from your Executive Director prior to the storm’s arrival as your loved one’s primary contact, but feel free to share this letter with your family if they would like to also be updated.

Thank you for your trust and confidence in us,

Shelley Esden
President and CEO
Sonata Senior Living

The state of Florida is vulnerable to hurricanes during the June through November Atlantic hurricane season. To this end, Sonata Senior Living maintains detailed hurricane preparedness and emergency management plans to mitigate the threat of hurricanes native to Florida.

In the event of a hurricane, our priority is to ensure the comfort and safety of our residents and staff. Our Hurricane Preparedness Plan consists of recommendations from regulating authorities such as the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) as well as supplemental precautionary guidelines and procedures developed from our own extensive experience and expertise in hurricane safety preparedness.

Sonata Senior Living communities are constructed to meet stringent Florida codes and withstand high winds and flooding. Our communities are well-designed and well-equipped to shelter in place throughout a hurricane event.

Should a power outage occur at Sonata, our team members can continue providing the highest levels of service and care with no interruption so residents may safely shelter in place.

Florida assisted living facilities are required to have backup power generators to ensure function and access to essential lighting and air conditioning in the event of a power outage.

Sonata Senior Living’s backup generators are expanded to include capacity for cooking, heating and powering elevators. We also go above and beyond by maintaining a week’s supply of food and water for each resident in case delivery service were interrupted.

Sonata recognizes the importance of maintaining constant communications with our families to alleviate worry and concern. We are committed to providing regular communications and updates to our families throughout the duration of a hurricane event.

Hurricane-related communications and news are posted on our website and social media, and updated regularly with new information as a storm develops.

Upon move-in, primary family contacts are asked to opt into a messaging service to receive important information during an emergency event.

Sonata uses an automated messaging service to keep families apprised of important information that may affect your loved ones and our communities. Families can elect to receive information via text, email or phone call.

For many, Sonata Senior Living is a safer place than one’s own home during a storm. In fact, in 2019, Sonata reinforced roof structures at each of our 11 communities for even greater assurance.

We offer respite stays to those who may benefit from the reinforced construction, expanded generator capacity and 24-hour staffing during a storm. A short-term stay can provide peace of mind to families and essential supplies and care to older adults unwilling or unable to travel.

For more information about hurricane safety and preparedness at Sonata Senior Living, contact a community near you.