Hurricane Prep for Florida Homeowners
Practical ideas to help you get ready before a storm, not during one.
Our story
"Out of all of the storms we have faced together as a family, the most impactful was Hurricane Ian. My family and I all live in the South Sarasota County area, and we were as prepared as we could be, or so we thought."
Ian was first expected to head north toward Tampa, and then the track changed. A tree came down on the power lines outside our house that afternoon, and we were without power from then on. The preparation we had done made all the difference: food on hand, tubs filled with water for flushing, puck lights in the bathroom, and a generator that became our best friend. Afterward came the cleanup, a broken pipe at my sister's house and a lot of help from friends.
My biggest lesson: plan early, even in the off-season, and divide and conquer with family and friends. We split into an exterior team, a shopping team and an interior team, and it lightened the load for everyone.
Start here
- Know your evacuation zone at floridadisaster.org
- Keep copies of your homeowners, flood and auto insurance policies where you can grab them
- Homes outside a flood zone can still flood. Ask your insurance agent about flood coverage
- Always follow the guidance of local officials
Four steps to secure your home
Decide: stay or go
If you're in an evacuation zone, plan to leave or go to a shelter. Storm tracks shift, so pack a bag just in case, and think about the health of your loved ones.
Secure the outside
Install shutters properly and take dated photos of your home before and after. They can help if you ever need to file a claim.
Clear the yard
Bring in chairs, planters, trash cans, solar lights and wind chimes. In high winds, loose items become projectiles.
Pick up debris
Clear yard debris and, where it's safe, loose hanging limbs and branches.
If you're sheltering in place
- Gas up your vehicles and fill extra gas cans and propane tanks
- Refill medications and get some cash
- Charge phones, laptops, tablets and battery packs, and keep them in one place
- Freeze water bottles to help keep your freezer cold
- Fill bathtubs and keep a bucket nearby for flushing if the power goes out
- Turn the AC down before the storm so the house stays cooler longer
- Have flashlights, a battery or hand-crank radio and extra batteries ready
- Check your generator ahead of time. Never run it indoors or in a garage
- Plan for your pets, and check in on family, friends and neighbors
Stock up on
- At least 3 days of non-perishable food
- Water for drinking and cooking for every person in your home
- Paper plates, paper towels and toilet paper
- Cleaning supplies, trash bags and contractor bags
- A first aid kit and basic medicines
- Bug spray, fans and a few games to pass the time
For official preparedness guidance, visit floridadisaster.org.
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