South Florida Hurricane Prep Checklist: Protect Your Home Before the Season

Hurricane season starts June 1st. Don't wait until a storm is in the forecast. This practical checklist covers everything you need to do to make sure your home is ready — from windows and doors to backup power.

Every year, South Florida homeowners make the same mistake: they wait until a storm is named and tracking toward the coast before they start thinking about preparation. By then, it's too late. Contractors are booked, lumber is sold out, and the stress is avoidable.

The best hurricane preparation happens in May — before the June 1st season start — when you have time to address real vulnerabilities without panic. Here's a practical checklist to work through.

Before Hurricane Season Starts (April–May)

Inspect Your Hurricane Protection Products

• Test every accordion or rolldown shutter — open and close each one fully, listening for binding or stiff mechanisms
• Lubricate shutter tracks with a dry lubricant (avoid oil-based products that attract dust)
• Check that all shutter locks engage properly and hold the shutter closed firmly
• Inspect impact window and door frames for cracked seals, gaps, or damaged weatherstripping
• Replace any cracked or loose weatherstripping around doors before season
• Verify that hurricane garage doors close and latch correctly

Check Your Insurance

• Review your policy and confirm your coverage limits and deductibles
• Verify your hurricane deductible — in Florida, it's typically a percentage of insured value (1–5%), not a flat dollar amount
• Update your home inventory and photograph the interior of every room
• Store copies of your policy documents in the cloud or off-site
• If you installed new impact products this year, schedule a wind mitigation inspection to capture savings

Windows, Doors, and Openings

If you don't have impact windows or hurricane shutters on all openings, addressing this should be your top priority — not just for this season, but permanently. Standard glass offers no protection against Category 1+ hurricane debris, and once a window fails, the structural integrity of your entire home is at risk.

• Identify any openings not covered by impact windows or hurricane shutters
• Prioritize large openings (sliding glass doors, French doors, picture windows) — these are highest risk
• Do NOT use plywood as a long-term solution — it is labor-intensive, only marginally effective, and not code-approved for permanent installation
• Contact a licensed contractor now (not in September) to schedule installations before season

Garage Doors

The garage door is the largest and often most vulnerable opening in your home. Standard garage doors are not rated for hurricane winds. A failed garage door during a storm creates catastrophic internal pressure that can lift your roof off the structure.

• Verify your garage door's wind rating — look for a label on the door or contact the manufacturer
• If your door is not hurricane-rated, consider replacement before season starts
• At minimum, install a vertical bracing kit if your door is not rated
• Ensure the auto-release cord and manual operation work properly in case of power outage

Outdoor Areas

• Identify all outdoor furniture, potted plants, decorations, and equipment that must be brought inside before a storm
• Plan where you'll store them — garage, interior rooms, or shed
• Trim overhanging tree branches that could strike the house in high winds
• Clear gutters and downspouts so heavy rain drains properly
• Secure or remove lightweight structures like pergolas, shade sails, and screen rooms if they're not rated

Backup Power

• Test your generator and run it under load to verify it works
• Confirm you have a transfer switch or interlock kit — never connect a generator to your home's wiring without one
• Stock at least 10 gallons of stabilized fuel (use Sta-Bil to extend shelf life)
• Charge all power banks, backup batteries, and portable chargers
• Verify your motorized shutters have a manual override in case of power loss

Emergency Supplies

• 7-day supply of water: 1 gallon per person per day, plus additional for pets
• Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
• Prescription medications — fill all prescriptions before season
• First aid kit, flashlights, and extra batteries
• Cash in small bills (ATMs may be down after a storm)
• Copies of critical documents: insurance policies, IDs, prescriptions, deed/lease
• A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio