Category Archives: Floods & Natural Disasters

Her dream condo was flooded by storm water — 4 feet deep

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Muddy roads after flood

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities People don’t often think about flooding in landlocked neighborhoods, nowhere near a river or ocean. But storm water floods can cause a heap of damage, as Bonnie Miles, a retired Veteran in Roanoke, Virginia, recently learned. Miles was a first time home buyer as of September 1, 2018. When the remnants of Hurricane Michael dumped heavy rainfall in Virginia on October 11, four feet of flood waters destroyed Miles’ Continue ReadingHer dream condo was flooded by storm water — 4 feet deep→

Will County help HOA homeowners prevent floods?

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Ashley Plantation Pace FL 2

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Homebuyers often assume that when they buy a home in a new subdivision, it’s unlikely to flood. But there’s increasing evidence that new construction isn’t floodproof. Pace residents look for answers on stormwater drainage issues in Ashley Plantation Anne Delaney, Pensacola News Journal Published 6:06 a.m. CT Sept. 28, 2018 | Updated 6:22 a.m. CT Sept. 28, 2018 Flooding in a small area of a large Pace subdivision captured Continue ReadingWill County help HOA homeowners prevent floods?→

After a mudslide in this Hawaii community, HOA members assessed $3,900

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Hawaii mountains hillsides clouds

Many owners of property in association-governed communities have a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept of “common interest.”   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Today’s feature article about special assessments features mudslide-plagued Launani Valley in Mililani, Hawaii. The community of more than 800 homes was originally established in 1992-1993. As the reader can see in the photos taken by Civil Beat, several homes were built in cul-de-sacs, with back yards at the foot of steep Continue ReadingAfter a mudslide in this Hawaii community, HOA members assessed $3,900→

One year later: Recovery of condos & HOAs after Hurricane Harvey (TX)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities One year after Hurricane Harvey devastated entire neighborhoods in the Houston area, several association-governed, common interest communities are struggling to recover. A slow, uncertain recovery for The Pines Condominium At the Pines Condominium, ground floor units were flooded with several feet of water contaminated by raw sewage. According to reports, the black water inundated the established condo community for 10 days. Unfortunately, the condo association had no flood insurance. Continue ReadingOne year later: Recovery of condos & HOAs after Hurricane Harvey (TX)→