Preparation · 6 min read
Hurricane prep checklist, tuned by region
Generic checklists miss the local risks that actually do damage. A region-aware prep list for Florida homeowners.
All of Florida — start here
72 hours out: deploy shutters or confirm impact glass is unobstructed. Photograph every elevation of the house. Move patio furniture, grills, and planters indoors. Fill prescriptions. Fuel both vehicles. Charge phones, laptops, and any medical equipment. Pull cash — ATMs and card readers fail first.
Miami-Dade & Broward (HVHZ coast)
Surge is rarely your biggest residential threat east of I-95 — wind-driven rain through small breaches is. Check that every shutter latches fully. Walk the perimeter and look for loose roof tiles or soffit panels; these become projectiles. If you're in a high-rise, fill bathtubs for non-potable water.
Palm Beach (coastal & inland)
If you're east of I-95 in a historic district, your colonial or Bahama shutters need to be closed and pinned 24 hours out — not 6. West of the Turnpike, focus on flooding: clear storm drains in front of your property and elevate anything stored in the garage above 12 inches.
Southwest Florida (Lee & Collier)
Treat surge as the primary threat. If you're in a Zone A or AE flood area, evacuate. Stay out of "shelter in place" thinking for any home below the design flood elevation. Move vehicles to higher ground, not just into the garage. Document everything before you leave — claims after Ian moved much faster for homeowners with pre-storm photos timestamped.