How do I prepare my home for hurricane season?

Start with these structural preparations

These are the most important things you can do to protect your home from hurricane damage. Start early — some of these take weeks or months to complete.

Review your insurance coverage

This is something you should do well before a storm is forecast. Once a storm enters the Gulf or Atlantic, many insurers stop writing new policies and freeze changes.

• Check your coverage limits — make sure your dwelling coverage is enough to rebuild your home at current construction costs. Building costs in South Florida have risen significantly
• Understand your hurricane deductible — most Florida policies have a separate hurricane deductible, typically 2% to 5% of your dwelling coverage. On a $350,000 home, a 2% deductible is $7,000
• Review your flood insurance — standard homeowners policies do NOT cover flood damage. You need a separate flood insurance policy through the NFIP or a private insurer
• Document everything — take photos and video of every room in your home, including closets, cabinets, and the exterior. Store a copy in the cloud or with a trusted contact outside your area
• Create a home inventory — list your belongings with estimated values, serial numbers, and photos. This makes filing a claim much easier

Build your hurricane emergency kit

FEMA recommends having supplies to last at least 72 hours, but in South Florida, it's smart to prepare for a week or more. Power outages can last days or weeks after a major storm.

• Water — one gallon per person per day for at least 7 days
• Non-perishable food — canned goods, protein bars, peanut butter, and a manual can opener
• Medications and first aid — a 2-week supply of prescription medications, plus a basic first aid kit
• Flashlights and batteries — avoid candles due to fire risk after a storm
• Portable phone charger — a fully charged power bank can keep your phone running for days
• Cash — ATMs may not work after a storm. Keep enough cash for a week or more
• Important documents — insurance policies, IDs, medical records, and deeds in a waterproof container
• Generator — if you have a generator, test it before hurricane season and store fresh fuel safely
• Pet supplies — food, water, medications, and a carrier for each pet
• Cleaning supplies — bleach, trash bags, and a wet/dry vacuum for post-storm cleanup

Know your evacuation zone

Palm Beach County has designated evacuation zones. Know your zone and have a plan. If you live in a mobile home, low-lying area, or flood zone, you should have a plan to evacuate when a hurricane approaches. Know your county's evacuation routes and have a destination in mind (a friend or family member outside the evacuation zone, or a hotel further inland).