Hurricane Season 2025

Floridians are gearing up for a very  active Hurricane season. With the gulf region taking so much damage from hurricanes, a survey conducted by AAA found that more residents of the state  to evacuate ahead of pr landfall this coming season. 

As a homeowner, what key steps should you take ahead of evacuating? Here are just a handful of tips for you to consider. 

1. Be sure to secure your home as best you can. Shutter your windows and doors if possible to minimize damage from projectiles. If you have impact windows and doors, be sure to engage the storm locks to help maximize your storm protection. 

2. Pack your valuables including essential documents like your passport, birth certificates, etc. and bring them with you when you evacuate. You may want to invest in a weather and/or fire proof pouch for your docs. This will help

keep them safe from the elements. 

3. Clean up the yard and clear out any items that may fly away such as patio furniture, umbrellas, planters, the trash bins, etc. The less you leave out, the better your chances are of finding not just a mess when you return, but possible damage to your property. 

4. Preparing the pool is important too. Lower the water level of your pool if possible to avoid it from overflowing. Some Florida residents toss their non metallic patio furniture into the pool due to lack of space. This seems like a common thing for homeowners with pools. 

5. If you have a generator, test it out ahead of the storm and make sure you have sufficient gas to run it for several days. Hopefully you won’t need it but if you do, it’s good to have it on hand. If you end up not using your generator, pour the gas into your car’s tank within a month or so to not lose money on that purchase. 

6. Homeowners with kids often have a trampoline along with other toys in the back yard. Be sure to secure these as best you can. Disassembling a trampoline may seem like a daunting task but it truly is your best option to protect not only your home but the surrounding neighbors as well. 

7. Have a pet? Be sure to stock up on pet food and bring it with you when you evacuate. Though some shelters that allow pets sometimes offer pet food, they may not have the brand and type your pet has become used to. The storm is stressful enough on your pet, changing their diet can cause them to be more stressed which is easily avoided by bringing their food with you. 

8. Most municipalities offer residents sandbags ahead of time. Visit your town or city’s website to find out more about what they offer to residents in preparation for a storm making landfall. 

These are just a few tips. Be sure to reach out to your insurance company to go over your coverage and make sure your home is properly insured. A storm can completely destroy your home and being underinsured can be devastating. 

Be prepared and be aware of what is happening and if you plan on evacuating, be sure to have a plan in place before you get in the car. Research your local shelters or if you’re planning on staying with a friend or family member, be sure you have enough time to get there and be sure the place you are staying at has proper provisions to weather the storm. 

Have a safe storm season! 

-Rafael Amador