Every Florida homeowner knows the drill: the moment a named storm enters the Gulf or Atlantic, the hardware stores are picked clean within 24 hours. Plywood disappears. Water is gone. Generators sell out.
The homeowners who stay calm in those 72 hours before landfall are the ones who prepared months — not days — ahead of time. This checklist is built for you.
Start Here: Your Pre-Season Checklist (Do This in May)
Before hurricane season even begins (officially June 1), run through these once:
- Inspect your roof — look for loose or missing shingles, cracked flashing around vents and pipes, and any soft spots. A roofer inspection costs $150–$300 and can save you tens of thousands.
- Test your generator — run it under load for 30 minutes and confirm it starts. Check oil, fuel, and the transfer switch.
- Inventory your shutters — do you have hurricane shutters or impact glass for every opening? If not, price out the gaps now, not in August.
- Review your homeowner’s insurance policy — verify your wind deductible (often 2–5% of your home’s insured value), confirm flood coverage is separate (it always is), and make sure your coverage amount reflects current replacement costs.
- Photograph every room — walk your home with your phone, open every cabinet and closet, and upload the video to cloud storage. This is your claims evidence.
72 Hours Out: Active Storm Preparation
When a storm is tracking toward your area and a watch or warning is issued:
Exterior
- Install hurricane shutters or board all windows and doors with 5/8” plywood
- Bring in or anchor all patio furniture, potted plants, grills, and decorations — these become projectiles at 100+ mph
- Secure your garage door — it is the largest and weakest opening on most homes; brace it with a vertical brace kit
- Clear gutters and downspouts of debris
- Turn off your pool pump; set the auto-timer off; partially drain the pool (4–6 inches below normal) to reduce overflow
Interior
- Fill bathtubs with water as a backup water supply
- Charge all devices, power banks, and rechargeable batteries
- Fill your vehicle’s gas tank
- Move important documents (passports, deeds, insurance policies) into a waterproof bag or fireproof safe
- Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings; a full freezer stays cold ~48 hours without power
Supplies to have on hand
- 1 gallon of water per person per day, minimum 7 days
- Non-perishable food for 7 days
- Flashlights and extra batteries (or hand-crank flashlights)
- First aid kit
- Prescription medications (30-day supply minimum)
- Cash — ATMs go offline after major storms
After the Storm: Safety First
- Do not use a generator indoors or in the garage — carbon monoxide poisoning kills more people after hurricanes than the storm itself
- Wait for official all-clear before driving — roads may be flooded or have downed power lines
- Document all damage before starting cleanup — call your insurance company before making any major repairs
- Wear closed-toe shoes when inspecting your property — debris hides nails, glass, and worse
- Check on elderly neighbors
The One Thing Most Homeowners Skip
Shutters, supplies, and generators get all the attention. The thing most homeowners skip is roof-to-wall connectors. Florida homes built before 1994 often lack hurricane straps that tie the roof structure to the wall framing. If your home predates the post-Andrew building code, have a licensed contractor inspect and potentially retrofit your attic — this is what separates “minor damage” from “complete roof loss.”
Need help knowing what tools and supplies to have on hand year-round? See our recommended products page.