KNOW THE HOME. PLAN YOUR NEXT STEP.
Hurricane Readiness: A Practical Household Checklist
Prepare your household and property for hurricane season with a practical checklist for supplies, evacuation, communication and qualified repair help.
Quick recap
- Prepare household supplies, communication and evacuation arrangements before storm conditions arrive.
- Have appropriate professionals address roof, electrical, tree and opening-protection work; plan safe generator use in advance.
- After a storm, follow official return guidance and avoid damaged utilities or structures. A readiness checklist cannot certify that a home will withstand a hurricane.
Hurricane readiness combines a household plan, supplies and decisions about the property. Start with current county emergency instructions, then identify what your household can arrange safely before a storm. Do not wait for a forecast to decide how people, pets or essential equipment would leave.
Organize the essentials
Keep food, water, medications and equipment appropriate to your household, using Florida's supply checklist. Record emergency contacts and store copies of important documents where they can travel with you. Discuss transportation, shelter options and a communication plan, especially for anyone who needs assistance.
Plan property work in advance
Arrange roof, electrical, tree and opening-protection work with suitable professionals while conditions are safe. Shutters, doors and windows must suit the building and be installed according to their approved requirements. Do not climb onto a roof, alter utility equipment or improvise structural connections because a storm is approaching.
If you use a portable generator, follow CDC guidance: operate outdoors more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, never in a home or garage. Plan carbon-monoxide alarms and a proper electrical connection before an outage. Keep the manufacturer's instructions with the equipment.
Return carefully after a storm
Follow official guidance about when an area is safe to enter. Avoid floodwater, downed power lines and visibly unstable structures. Where equipment or wiring may have been wet or damaged, ask the utility or an appropriate professional before restoring service. Photograph damage only when it is safe, and contact the insurer for claim instructions.
Use the Florida planning resources and CDC carbon-monoxide guidance for current detail. No inspection or preparation checklist can certify that a home will withstand a particular storm.