Hurricane Season 2024: How to Prepare Your Home in Advance

Hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th. Before storms start rolling in, make sure you have a plan to prepare your home in advance. But what does a hurricane season checklist look like? Don’t worry. The Kern Team has you covered. 

Hurricane season checklist

Before hurricane season starts, here’s a few things you can do to prepare your home inside and out. 

Review your insurance policy

Before storms hit your home, review your insurance coverage before you file any claims. Plenty of policies come with exclusions. Before hurricane season hits check in with your insurance company about your policy and any additional coverage you may need.

Don’t forget that there are no policies written when there’s a named storm in the water – so if you need a flood policy, get it now. 

Secure your roof

Roof damage is common during and after hurricanes, which can lead to leaks or a sagging roof. To avoid roof and further water damage, you can get roof inspection. They’ll check for any existing damage or problems in your roof. 

If you need a roofer to do an assessment, give us a call and we can refer you to a few we trust. 

Shield doors & windows

Damage to your doors and windows can come from the high-speed winds as well as projectiles flying through the air. You can protect your windows by installing storm shutters before a hurricane hits (bonus points as you also get a reduced insurance premium) or impact windows & doors. 

Secure outdoor fixtures & structures

Outdoor structures, such as carports and patio furniture could be lost in a storm. They could also cause damage to your house if blown away. Secure outdoor structures by making sure they’re anchored properly and bring in outside furniture to avoid losing them.

Prepare an emergency kit

Having an emergency kit can help in the aftermath of a storm, especially in instances where you’re going without electricity or running water. Emergency kits should include things like:

• Radio(s)
• Flashlight(s)
• Batteries
• Charged cell phone
• Battery powered charger
• Key documents in water-proof seal
• Cash
• Fuel generator
• Top off propane tanks, if you have
• First aid items
• Bottled water (one gallon per person and per pet per day for at least seven days) and non-perishable foods
• Matches and lighters
• Medication

Make an evacuation plan

An evacuation plan can be crucial. Local authorities may advise residents to evacuate their properties. When that happens you don’t want to be caught unprepared. Communicate with your family about where you’ll be going, how you’ll be getting there, and what you’ll take with you (pets included).

Take Pictures and Video of Your Home

In the event that your property has damage and you need to file an insurance claim, having photos and videos of your property (inside and out) from before the storm will go a long way to making the claims process smoother that many think possible. 

Hurricane safety tips

• Don’t tape windows (this doesn’t do anything)
• Prepare for high pressure changes
• Trim trees to keep branches from falling on house
• Fill bathtub with water in case water pump stops working

The Kern Team

Hurricane season can cause a lot of problems for homeowners. But homeowners who are prepared, knowledgeable and ready can weather a lot of challenges that come their way. 

Looking to settle in the Miami area? Give us a call.