October 2017
D I G E S T
The Official Publication of the Kiawah Island Community Association
Supplemental Assessment Being Collected for Tropical
Storm Irma Recovery Costs
Once the rain stopped, the wind calmed and the flooding
subsided, the damage from Tropical Storm Irma was apparent.
Though Kiawah fared well overall, it did experience the worst
storm surge since Hurricane Hugo. Damage was worse than
Hurricane Matthew last October in some ways, especially on the
roads and trails. The pictures above and on the following page
provide a glimpse at just how severe this storm surge was. KICA
staff began clean up and repairs after the storm passed and, due
to their skill and diligence, the island is returning to normal.
Immediately following the storm, the KICA Board of Directors
held a special meeting for the sole purpose of discussing storm
recovery. Staff reviewed initial damage assessments, as well as
preliminary estimates on cost. The board then discussed and
reaffirmed KICA's Named Storm Policy, which calls for an
assessment of members to cover these unbudgeted expenses.
The total restoration costs for Irma are projected to be $1.1
million. This will result in a supplemental assessment of $225
for each developed residential property. Owners of undeveloped
lots will pay half that amount. Commercial property owners,
including the resort and developer, collectively pay more than
$130,000. The formula for calculating assessments is dictated
by KICA’s governing documents (article V, Covenants for
Assessments and Reserve Funds), and is not based on the value
of each property. At the time of publication, the assessment
was expected to be mailed to members in early October and
payable within 30 days.
KICA Chairman of the Board Dave Singer appreciates that
some members have expressed disappointment in having
to pay another assessment. “Incurring assessments in two
successive years for storm recovery is frustrating, but owning
real estate on a barrier island does come with the risk of storm
damage. Despite the need for recovery assessments the last
two years, Kiawah dodged two major bullets, as Irma came in
with less intensity than initially projected, and Matthew struck
a glancing blow at low tide. Either storm could easily have
inflicted greater and more costly damage. Puerto Rico, South
Florida and Houston show the level of devastation that can be
wrought by a hurricane. We’re thankful to have enjoyed over
25 years without a storm assessment prior to 2016, and that
the two recent storm assessments have both been less than the
average round of golf on Kiawah.”
Advance and Recovery Planning
KICA was able to begin recovery efforts quickly because the
association annually negotiates rates and contracts with a
number of recovery specialists in advance of storm season.
Key staff members meet daily as storms approach to discuss
and implement preparation. Some staff members remain on-
island for as long as safety permits, communicating about and
attending to situations as they arise. They return to the island
as soon as it is safe, to begin opening roads and securing
unsafe areas.
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