Hurricane Preparation Checklist for Florida Homeowners

Be Ready Before the Storm: Your Florida Hurricane Checklist

Living in Southwest Florida means hurricane preparation is not optional : it is an annual necessity. Florida averages a direct hurricane hit every three years, and tropical storm impacts are even more frequent. The difference between a property that weathers the storm with minimal damage and one that suffers catastrophic loss often comes down to preparation.

As a storm damage restoration company that responds to hurricane damage every season, WrightWay Emergency Services has seen firsthand what works and what does not. Here is the preparation checklist we recommend to every homeowner in Southwest Florida.

Before Hurricane Season Begins (Before June 1)

The best time to prepare is before the season starts. Once a storm is approaching, supplies run out, contractors are booked, and critical preparations become much harder to complete:

• Review and update your homeowner’s insurance and flood insurance policies : know your deductibles and coverage limits
• Create a comprehensive home inventory with photos and video of all rooms, closets, and valuable items
• Inspect your roof for loose, cracked, or damaged shingles and have repairs made promptly
• Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage during heavy rainfall
• Trim trees and remove dead branches within falling distance of your home, vehicles, and power lines
• Test your generator and stock sufficient fuel : have it professionally serviced if it has been sitting unused
• Verify your hurricane shutters fit properly or purchase marine-grade plywood pre-cut to your window and door sizes
• Call WrightWay at (941) 379-8669 to schedule pre-storm Matterport 3D documentation of your entire property : invaluable for insurance claims if damage occurs

When a Storm Is Approaching (72 Hours Out)

Once a hurricane watch or warning is issued for your area, it is time to execute your preparation plan:

• Install hurricane shutters or board all windows and glass doors securely
• Bring outdoor furniture, grills, potted plants, and decorations inside or secure them in the garage
• Fill bathtubs, buckets, and large containers with water for non-drinking use such as flushing toilets
• Charge all mobile devices, laptops, and portable battery packs to full capacity
• Fill all vehicles with gas : fuel stations lose power and run dry quickly after a storm
• Secure important documents : insurance policies, titles, birth certificates, and medical records : in waterproof containers
• Stock emergency supplies: one gallon of water per person per day for seven days, non-perishable food, medications for at least two weeks, flashlights, batteries, a hand-crank radio, and a first aid kit
• Move valuable items and electronics to the highest level of your home if flooding is possible
• Take photos and video of your property’s current condition as last-minute pre-loss documentation

During the Storm: Staying Safe

Once the storm arrives, personal safety is the only priority. Property can be repaired or replaced : lives cannot:

• Stay indoors, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors even if shuttered
• Move to an interior room or closet on the lowest floor if winds intensify
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings to preserve food longer during power outages
• Do not use candles : use battery-powered lanterns and flashlights only to prevent fire
• Monitor local emergency broadcasts on a battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Do not go outside during the eye of the storm : the second eyewall brings winds from the opposite direction without warning
• If you experience water intrusion during the storm, document it with your phone but do not attempt to stop it until the storm passes

After the Storm: Assessment and Recovery

The hours after the storm passes are critical for protecting your property from secondary damage:

1. Stay safe : do not venture out until authorities give the all-clear. Downed power lines, weakened structures, and debris create serious hazards.
2. Document everything : photograph and video all damage from multiple angles before touching, moving, or cleaning anything
3. Call a professional restoration company : contact a licensed, IICRC-certified restoration company like WrightWay Emergency Services immediately. A restoration team begins professional documentation, emergency board-up and tarping, water extraction, and mitigation : fulfilling your policy’s duty to mitigate and providing thorough evidence for your insurance claim.
4. Contact your insurance company : file your claim with the professional documentation your restoration company has already gathered. Florida law sets specific deadlines for hurricane claims.
5. Remove standing water : flood water begins causing mold growth within 24 hours in Florida’s climate, so water removal should begin as soon as safely possible

The Value of Pre-Storm Documentation

One of the most valuable things you can do before hurricane season is create comprehensive documentation of your property in its current, undamaged condition. After a storm, insurance adjusters need to determine what damage is new versus pre-existing : and without documentation, disputes are common.

WrightWay offers Matterport 3D virtual tours and drone documentation of your property before a storm. This pre-loss documentation makes insurance claims faster and reduces disputes by providing clear before-and-after comparisons. Call (941) 379-8669 to schedule your pre-storm documentation. For commercial and healthcare facilities, ask about our Emergency Response Program (ERP).