Preparing Your Florida Home for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1 and lasts through November 30. For Florida homeowners—including those of us inland in the Tallahassee area—preparing for hurricane season should begin long before the first storm appears on the forecast.

Hurricanes and tropical storms can bring damaging winds, heavy rain, flooding, and dangerous conditions. Taking the time to prepare your home, your property, and your family can help reduce the risk of damage and make a stressful situation a little easier to manage.

Whether you have lived in Florida for years or are considering buying a home here, understanding how prepared a home is for severe weather is an important part of being a Florida homeowner.

Before Hurricane Season Begins

• Contact your insurance agent and make sure your homeowners insurance is up to date. Confirm exactly what perils are covered, including hurricanes and damaging windstorms.
• For Florida homeowners, flood insurance is also an important consideration. Many homeowners don't realize their property may be at risk for flooding until it is too late. Keep in mind that flood insurance typically has a waiting period before coverage takes effect, so don't wait until a storm is approaching to look into your coverage.

Weatherproofing Your Home

• Look around your home and make a list of the hurricane and severe-weather protections you already have.
• If you don't have storm-resistant windows, consider keeping plywood on hand to cover windows, sliding glass doors, and garage doors before a storm arrives.
• Before hurricane season, closely inspect your roof. Check for loose or damaged roofing materials and seal any openings that could allow wind or water into your home.
• Installing storm shutters over windows and doors can provide an additional layer of protection during a hurricane. For even greater protection, consider wind- and impact-resistant windows and doors designed to withstand strong winds and flying debris.
• Having sandbags available can also be helpful in areas where flooding is a concern.

Keep Important Documents Safe

Keeping your family's important documents safe can save a lot of time and stress if a hurricane or flood occurs.

• Consider storing important papers and valuables in waterproof and fire-resistant containers. Another option is to place documents in thick freezer bags and keep them in a tightly sealed, waterproof storage bin stored above ground.
• Keep digital copies of important documents as a backup.
• Don't forget about irreplaceable family photographs. Store them safely and also keep them above ground in case of flooding.

Investing in a Home Generator

Having a standby generator during a hurricane or tropical storm can be extremely helpful. Some homes can be without power for days or even longer after a major storm, creating health and safety concerns for families. What can a generator do?

• It can help keep refrigerators running, preventing food from spoiling and helping protect refrigerated medications.
• It can provide power for air conditioning and fans during Florida's extreme heat and humidity.
• For families who rely on medical equipment that requires electricity, having backup power can be especially important.
• It can also help keep phones and other communication devices charged, making it easier to stay in contact with family and loved ones.

Creating an Emergency Kit

Having an emergency kit ready before hurricane season is essential. Your kit should include:

• Batteries and flashlights
• Plenty of water and non-perishable foods
• A manual can opener, paper plates, cups, and plasticware
• Medications for all family members and a well-stocked first-aid kit
• A battery-operated radio to stay updated on weather conditions and emergency information
• A small toolbox with essential tools
• Trash bags, hand sanitizer, and moist wipes
• Cash in small denominations in case electronic card readers are unavailable because of a power outage
• Baby medications, diapers, wipes, baby food, and formula if there is an infant in the home
• An emergency kit for pets, including water, food, medications, disposable dishes, and a carrier

Your Outside Property

• To help keep your home and others safe, bring inside and secure any unsecured items that could break or become airborne during strong winds. This includes grills, outdoor decorations, and patio furniture.
• Trim trees and remove dead or loose branches, especially those near windows and your roof. Keeping trees properly maintained can help reduce the risk of damage during a storm.
• Consider hiring a certified arborist to take care of your trees, especially your canopy trees. An arborist will prune the weak branches to ensure that high winds can pass through the canopy safely, instead of them being torn down and becoming a safety hazard. 
• Keep your gutters free of debris so rainwater can drain properly and away from your home.

Fuel Your Vehicles

When a hurricane or tropical storm is approaching your area, try to fill your vehicle's gas tank as soon as possible. You may need to evacuate, and gas stations can run out of fuel or become unavailable because of power outages. Having a full tank can also make it easier to run necessary errands after the storm has passed.

Planning for Evacuation

If you plan to evacuate, or your area is ordered to evacuate, having a plan in place ahead of time is critical.

• Know how you will safely leave your area and identify more than one route out of your local evacuation zone.
• Have alternative routes in mind in case of road closures or heavy traffic.
• Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.
• Keep a physical map available in case you lose cell service.
• Take medications, bottled water, non-perishable foods, blankets, and phone chargers with you.
• Avoid flooded roads and areas, and drive cautiously.

Hurricane evacuations can involve extremely heavy traffic and slow-moving roads, so planning ahead can help keep your family safe and reduce unnecessary worry and stress.

Tallahassee-Specific Hurricane Tips

Living in Tallahassee and Leon County means preparing for hurricanes can look a little different than it does in coastal areas. We may be inland, but strong winds, heavy rain, falling trees, flooding, and power outages can still cause problems Here are a few tips:

• Trim dead limbs and thin heavy branches, especially those over rooflines, driveways and power lines.

• Park your cars in a garage or heavy-duty carport or car covering if you can. We have so many large trees- the trees do a lot of the damage!

• Visit the Leon County Emergency Information Portal for updates and resources. 

Preparing Your Home Is an Investment

Preparing your Florida home for hurricane season isn't just about protecting the walls, windows, and roof. It's about protecting the people and memories inside your home.

For current homeowners, taking preventative steps before hurricane season can help protect one of your biggest investments. For those considering buying a home in Florida, hurricane-resistant features can also be worth considering when evaluating a property.

Features such as impact-resistant windows and doors, a newer roof, storm shutters, a standby generator, proper drainage, and well-maintained landscaping can provide added peace of mind during severe weather.

A well-prepared home can offer more than protection—it can provide confidence and comfort when the next storm is headed your way. Taking the time to prepare now can make all the difference when hurricane season arrives.

For more information and guidance on preparing for hurricanes in Florida, visit FloridaDisaster.org.

Thinking About Buying, Selling or Upgrading in Tallahassee?

Hi, I'm Velinda Hittinger, a local Realtor and Broker Associate serving Tallahassee and the surrounding areas. Whether you're assessing the value of your current property or searching for a new home, having trusted guidance can really make a difference. Reach out today- I'd love to help you make your next move.