Prepare Far Enough in Advance
Make sure you have proper insurance.
Ensure your Homeowners policy covers damages from Wind/Hail/Hurricanes. Some policies, especially in Florida, may exclude this coverage or apply a special deductible.
Obtain Flood and/or Excess Flood insurance depending on your flood zone, elevation, and value of your property. Most Homeowners insurance excludes damage from flooding.
Make sure you have storm shutters for all doors, windows and skylights or have windows replaced with an impact resistant window system. Have them inspected by a professional on an annual basis. Large doors and windows are vulnerable to high winds.
Sliding-glass French doors should have, at a minimum, three hinges per door and be reinforced with fastening bolts locking them together. It’s best to replace the sliding-glass doors with an impact-resistant door system.
Garage doors should be replaced with structural ribs and a heavy-duty track system designed to withstand high winds.
Making sure there is no deterioration of caulking around windows and doors will help prevent rain from coming in when the winds pick up.
Schedule a wind mitigation assessment to identify vulnerabilities. Call us for a list of recommended vendors in your area.
Make sure trees and shrubs are trimmed back. Work with a certified arborist to ensure all trees are healthy and stable.
In coastal areas, consider alternatives to gravel or stones for the driveway for the next time you re-landscape/re-hardscape. Additionally, use hearty native plants and mulch. Pebbles and stones can cause damage in high winds.
Install a back-up generator that can power air conditioning in your entire home, as well as critical electrical appliances and electronics (i.e. your alarm system). Have it maintained and tested under load on an annual basis. It is important to be able to air condition your entire house in the event water enters. Air conditioning can expedite the drying process if water enters and this can help prevent additional damage.
Secure Your Home Right Before the Storm
Exterior
Bring smaller items that you can carry inside, and secure outdoor sculptures with burlap.
Install storm shutters.
Fill your cars’ tank with gas and move them to higher ground with no objects that could fall on them or park them in your garage against the garage doors.
Test your generator, stock up on fuel in case of power outages.
Clean drains on terraces and balconies to allow the free flow of water.
Interior
Bring any outdoor wall hung art inside. Ensure all wall hangings are secure.
Take notes about your art collection and make sure all art is elevated off the floor.
If you are able, remove window treatments from windows and French doors. If they cannot be removed, elevate the lower portion of drapes and wrap as best you can in plastic.
Roll up area rugs. Best to elevate them, but if you are unable to elevate, move them to the center of your home.
Place towels at the base of all doors.
Unplug appliances and store smaller items in cabinets or closets.
Store important documents and valuables, such as jewelry, in a plastic bag and in a safety deposit box or in a hidden, bolted safe if you have one.
Have an Action Plan
Have an evacuation plan for your family and pets. Make sure to turn off utilities before leaving.
Prepare an emergency kit with flashlights, non-perishable food, bottled water, cash, blankets, clothing, toiletries, and a portable radio with extra batteries. Charge your phone ahead of time and have backup charging devices.
If staying put, identify a shelter room on the first floor in a central part of the house with no windows. Avoid all windows and doors until the storm passes.
Actions for After a Hurricane
If water got into the house, dehumidify the house by running the air conditioner and call a restoration company so that they can extract the water immediately. If you are able, remove any wet items and store them in the garage.
Call us to report the damage.
If staying put, identify a shelter room on the first floor in a central part of the house with no windows. Avoid all windows and doors until the storm passes.