Florida hurricane season home prep checklist

Updated 2026-08-11

Everything on this list is cheaper, faster and easier before a storm is named. Once a hurricane enters the forecast cone, licensed contractors are booked out for weeks and prices climb. Work through this in order.

1. The roof (start here — it protects everything else)

• Have a licensed roofer inspect if your roof is over 10 years old or you've never had it checked.
• Replace missing, lifted or cracked shingles — wind gets under a single loose shingle and peels a section.
• Check that soffits and fascia are secure. Wind driving into an open soffit can pressurise the attic and lift the roof deck.
• Ask for a wind mitigation inspection report — it can lower your insurance premium.

Find one: 8,768 licensed Florida roofing contractors by metro

2. Water: drainage, gutters, plumbing

• Clear gutters and downspouts fully; extend discharge away from the foundation.
• Check grading — soil should slope away from the house on all sides.
• Know where your main water shut-off is, and confirm it actually turns.
• Fix slow leaks now: a small drip becomes a mold problem the moment power (and your dehumidifying AC) goes out for three days.

Find one: licensed Florida plumbing contractors

3. AC and electrical

• Service the AC and clear the condensate drain line — a clogged line floods and feeds mold.
• Make sure the outdoor unit is on a secured pad or hurricane-rated stand.
• Test any generator before the season and store fuel safely. Never run a generator in a garage or near windows.
• Consider a surge protector at the panel; grid restoration after a storm is hard on appliances.

Find one: licensed Florida HVAC contractors

4. Openings: windows, doors, garage

• Check that shutters or impact glass are present and functional — and that you can actually deploy the shutters alone, in a hurry.
• The garage door is the most common structural failure point in Florida homes. If yours isn't wind-rated, brace it.
• Re-caulk gaps around windows and door frames.

5. Yard and surroundings

• Trim branches overhanging the roof; remove dead limbs entirely.
• Identify anything that becomes a projectile: patio furniture, planters, grills, umbrellas, trash bins.
• Clear pool cage debris and know your pool prep steps (never fully drain a pool before a storm — it can pop out of the ground).

Find one: licensed Florida pool & spa contractors

6. Paperwork — the step everyone skips

• Photograph and video every room and the exterior. Timestamped, stored in the cloud.
• Save your policy declaration page, agent contact, and policy number somewhere you can reach without power.
• Know your hurricane deductible — it's usually a percentage of the insured value, not a flat sum, and it surprises people badly.
• Keep receipts for any pre-storm mitigation work; they can be reimbursable.

After the storm

If damage does happen, the rules change completely — and the scammers arrive within days. Read our post-hurricane damage checklist before you sign anything, and remember that during a declared state of emergency, unlicensed contracting in Florida is a felony.

Frequently asked questions

When is hurricane season in Florida?

Atlantic hurricane season runs 1 June through 30 November, with peak activity typically from mid-August through October. The practical deadline for hiring contractors is earlier than people think — once a storm is named, roofers and shutter installers are booked solid and permit offices back up.

What home repairs should I do before hurricane season?

In priority order: fix any roof damage or missing shingles, ensure soffits and fascia are secured, clear gutters and drainage, trim trees away from the structure, service the AC and check the condensate drain, seal window and door gaps, and photograph everything for your insurance file.

Does a new roof lower my Florida insurance premium?

Often yes. A wind mitigation inspection documenting features like a secondary water barrier, hurricane clips or straps, and proper nailing patterns can meaningfully reduce premiums. Always ask your roofer for the wind mitigation paperwork after any roof work — many homeowners never claim the discount they paid for.

What should I photograph before a storm?

Every room, the roof from ground level, all exterior elevations, your AC unit, water heater, electrical panel, and any recent repair receipts. Store them in cloud storage, not just on your phone. Pre-storm photos are the single most valuable evidence in a disputed claim, because they prove what condition the property was in before.

This is general homeowner guidance, not engineering or insurance advice. Follow official instructions from your county emergency management office during any storm event.