What Should Actually Be on My Hurricane Prep Checklist This Year?
Storm season’s coming back around, and you’re trying to get ahead of it this time instead of scrambling the day before landfall like last time. There are a hundred generic checklists out there, water, batteries, plywood, but you want to know what actually matters for a Hernando County house specifically, not just a copy-paste list written for anywhere.
Start With the House Itself, Not Just the Supplies
Before stocking up on anything, the house itself needs a look. Check roof shingles for any that are already loose or lifting, since those are the first to go once real wind hits and often the starting point for a leak during the storm itself. Test that gutters and downspouts are clear and actually draining, since clogged gutters during heavy rain send water straight down exterior walls instead of away from the house. Inspect caulking around windows and doors for any gaps or cracking, since wind-driven rain finds those gaps fast. And know where your main water shutoff and electrical panel are, and make sure nothing’s blocking access to either, since you may need to reach them quickly if something fails during or after the storm.
The Supply List That Actually Matters, Not Just the Generic One
A few things matter more locally than the standard checklist usually emphasizes. Enough water for at least three days per person, more if you’re planning to shelter in place rather than evacuate, since water service can be disrupted well beyond when the storm itself passes. A battery or hand-crank radio, since cell service and internet are often the first things to go and the last to come back in Hernando County after a major storm. Enough non-perishable food and a manual can opener, not just food that assumes power for a fridge or stove. Battery banks charged in advance for phones, and flashlights with actual working batteries, checked ahead of time rather than assumed to be fine. And copies of important documents, insurance policy, ID, medical information, kept somewhere waterproof, since paperwork after a storm is exactly the kind of thing that goes missing when it’s needed most.
What to Do Around the Property Before the Storm Arrives
A few outdoor steps matter as much as anything indoors. Bring in or secure anything that can become a projectile in high wind, patio furniture, potted plants, trash cans, decorations, since even lightweight items become dangerous when wind speeds pick up. Trim any tree branches that are already close to the house or power lines, since storm winds turn a branch that seemed fine into a real risk to the roof or windows. And know ahead of time whether your property is in a flood-prone area, since homes near lower-lying parts of Spring Hill and areas closer to the Weeki Wachee River tend to see water rise faster during heavy rain than homes further inland, which changes how much lead time you actually have.
The Insurance Step People Skip Until It’s Too Late
Reviewing your policy before storm season, not after, matters more than most people realize. Confirm whether you have both homeowners and flood coverage, since standard homeowners policies typically don’t cover rising water, only wind-driven damage. Take current photos or video of your home’s condition and your belongings now, while nothing’s happened, since that documentation is what actually speeds up a claim later if something does occur. And know your deductible amounts for both wind and flood coverage separately, since those are often different numbers and it’s better to know that before a storm than to find out during a stressful claim process.
A Plan for What Happens the Moment It’s Over
Prep doesn’t stop at the supplies sitting ready before the storm. Know in advance who you’d call for storm damage assessment and water extraction if something does happen, rather than trying to find a company in the middle of a countywide surge of calls after the storm passes. Keep your insurance company’s claims number somewhere accessible, not just saved in a phone that might be dead. And have a rough plan for the first hour after the storm clears, checking the exterior for hazards before going in, rather than figuring that out on the fly.
If you want help thinking through what your specific property actually needs, or if a storm already caused damage you’re dealing with right now, our storm damage team can walk you through it rather than you piecing it together from a generic list alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water should I have on hand for hurricane season?
At least three days per person is the general standard, but more is better if you’re planning to shelter in place rather than evacuate, since water service disruptions can extend well beyond when the storm itself passes.
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane flood damage?
Usually not automatically. Standard homeowners policies generally cover wind-driven damage but exclude rising floodwater, which requires a separate flood insurance policy to be covered.
What should I check on my roof before hurricane season?
Look for loose or lifting shingles, since those are the most likely spots to fail first under high wind and often become the starting point for a leak during the storm itself.
When should I document my home for insurance purposes before a storm?
As early as possible, ideally at the start of storm season each year. Current photos and video of your home’s condition and belongings make a real difference in how smoothly a claim moves if damage does occur.
Get This Done Before You’re Stressed About a Storm on the Radar
It’s easy to put this off until a storm’s actually approaching, but by then options are limited, stores are picked over, and contractors are already booked solid. Getting ahead of it now, while there’s no pressure, is what actually makes the difference when a storm does show up on the radar.