Hurricane Season Starts Here
Getting Ready for Hurricane Season
If you’ve lived through even one major hurricane, you don’t need a reminder of how serious the season can get. For those of us in hurricane-prone areas, this time of year comes with a quiet urgency. Hurricane season officially starts June 1st, and we all know the storms don’t wait around. We’ve seen the floods. We’ve helped friends drag furniture to the curb. We’ve waited weeks for power to return and repairs to be made.
This isn’t just about being prepared—it’s about protecting what matters most. Whether you’re a homeowner or managing a commercial property, this guide is meant to help you think through the steps to take before and after a storm.
Know What You’re Up Against
Most of us know how far hurricane damage can reach and that it’s not just coastal areas that need to be prepared. Take Hurricane Helene, for example. It hit Florida hard, but even places far inland, like parts of Tennessee and the Carolinas, faced major flooding and storm damage.
We’ve seen firsthand how hurricanes can bring days of rain that flood homes and businesses, strong winds, unexpected tornadoes, and weeks of cleanup.
Here’s what you could face:
Wind damage – torn shingles, collapsed fences, broken glass
Flooding – storm surges, street flooding, flash floods, backed-up storm drains
Power outages – going days without AC or running water
Tornadoes – quick and unexpected, following landfall
Interrupted business operations – in addition to property damage, there’s downtime and staffing issues that come into play
Get Prepared
Policy Review
Look at what’s actually covered – wind, flooding, mold, etc.
Pay close attention to your deductibles
For commercial properties, double check your business interruption coverage
Documentation
Take photos and videos of your property as it is now, before a storm hits. Focus on the roof, interior rooms, major systems and appliances, inventory and belongings, and anything recently upgraded.
Outside Prep
Trim branches, clear gutters, and secure anything that could fly around in strong winds like outside furniture, potted plants, and trampolines
Check your sump pump or drainage system
Emergency Strategy
Nail down an evacuation plan now, just in case. Stock your supplies: bottled water, shelf-stable food, flashlights, batteries, chargers, etc. Store all important documents and memorabilia in waterproof cases somewhere safe and elevated.
After the Storm
If you’ve experienced hurricane cleanup before, you know how overwhelming it gets. It’s messy, exhausting, and extremely emotional. Taking a few careful steps directly after the storm can make a big difference in the way your claim is handled down the line.
Take clear photos of everything—interior and exterior—as soon as it’s safe to do so
Write down what happened and when, even if it feels insignificant
Document and take inventory of all damaged personal property, including the brand, when and where you bought it, and the estimated cost—this can make a big difference when it comes to the contents portion of your claim
Save receipts of anything you spend on repairs or supplies
Whether it’s your first season or your fiftieth, no one ever feels completely ready. But taking the time to prepare now, before the wind picks up or the warnings start, can save you stress, time, and money later.
We’ve seen what these storms can do. We’ve lived through it. And we know how much the right prep can help when it really counts.