General information, not legal, engineering or insurance advice.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30. Storms can form outside those dates, and the time between a forecast and landfall can be short, so the best preparation happens early. This checklist focuses on your home's openings, plus the basics every Florida household needs.
Before the season (spring)
Shutters and openings
- Storm panels: count them, check each one is labeled for its opening, and make sure all hardware (wing nuts, washers, studs) is present. Do a practice install on at least one large opening.
- Accordion shutters: open and close every shutter. Rinse sand and salt from the tracks, check for bent blades, and test the locks.
- Roll-down shutters: run each one fully down and up. Test motors, remotes and the manual override, and know where the crank is kept.
- Impact windows and doors: check that latches and locks work, weatherstripping is intact, and weep holes aren't blocked.
- Garage door: find out whether it is wind-rated. If you have a bracing kit, make sure you know how to install it.
- Upgrades: if you plan to add protection, start now. Contractors get busier and lead times longer once a storm threatens.
Paperwork and insurance
- Review your policy: know your hurricane deductible and what's covered.
- Homeowners policies don't cover flood. Flood insurance through the NFIP typically has a 30-day waiting period, so don't wait for a storm.
- Photograph or video every room and the exterior for an insurance inventory. Store copies online.
- Gather permits, product approvals and your latest wind mitigation inspection.
Household plan
- Look up your evacuation zone through your county emergency management office and decide where you would go.
- Build a supply kit: water (plan on at least one gallon per person per day for several days), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, first-aid kit, chargers and cash.
- Plan for pets, and for anyone who needs medical equipment or extra help.
- Trim trees and remove dead branches near the house.
When a storm is forecast
- Follow official forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and instructions from local officials.
- Put up panels and close shutters early. Don't wait for the wind; installing panels on a ladder in gusts is dangerous.
- Protect every opening, including sliding glass doors. Taping windows does not prevent breakage.
- Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, grills, planters and anything that could become debris.
- Fill vehicles with fuel, charge devices and refill prescriptions.
- If you're told to evacuate, go.
After the storm
- Stay off the roads until officials say they're clear, and avoid downed power lines and floodwater.
- Generators: never run them indoors, in a garage, or near windows and doors. Carbon monoxide can kill quickly; the CDC recommends keeping generators at least 20 feet from the house.
- Photograph damage before cleanup, make temporary repairs to prevent further damage, and keep receipts.
- Leave shutters closed until the threat has passed, then remove panels so you have an exit in case of fire.
- Beware of unlicensed contractors. Verify any contractor's license with DBPR before paying a deposit, and never pay in full upfront.
End of season
- Clean and store panels and hardware, labeled, in a dry place.
- Note anything that was hard to install or missing so you can fix it before next June.
- Consider whether permanent or full-time protection would make next season easier. See impact windows vs. hurricane shutters.