Hurricane Season Is Coming. 5 Ways to Prepare Your Home

When Hurricane Ian struck Florida in September 2022, homeowners felt the pain afterward. In fact, as of late November, over 358,000 homeowners had filed insurance claims related to the storm, according to the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) claims database.

Hurricanes have the potential to cause a world of damage. And unfortunately, in the Atlantic region, the season for them can be lengthy, commonly lasting from June through November. 

If you live in an area that's prone to storm damage, it's important to take steps to prepare your home. Here are some to put on your list.

1. Trim your trees and remove ones that are dead

Hanging tree limbs can become projectiles when a nasty storm hits. Keeping your trees trimmed could help prevent a world of damage to your home, and the same holds true for removing dead trees, which are more likely to be uprooted if a hurricane rolls through town.

2. Install storm shutters and doors

Storm shutters and doors can help secure your home and protect it from the elements. Bob Vila says the average cost of storm shutters is $4,022 per home, though your costs will depend on the number of windows you have. Clearly, that's a big expense, though it may be offset by a lower rate on your homeowners insurance premiums.

A storm door might be less expensive since, well, you only need one. Bob Vila says the cost there is $394 on average. And again, if you make this upgrade, it could pay to talk to your homeowners insurance company about a discount.

3. Have your roof inspected and repaired as necessary

Roof damage isn't always obvious, but a great way to protect your home from water damage in the event of a hurricane is to have a secure roof. To that end, inspect your roof (or hire someone to do so) before hurricane season really kicks off. Look for loose shingles and replace missing ones, and check for gaps where water could collect and cause problems.

4. Build an emergency kit

An emergency kit won't protect your home from damage if a hurricane strikes. But it might help you fare better in the wake of one. 

First of all, if you have a portable generator, do a test run to make sure it still works, and store gas (safely in a gas can) so you have a way to run it. Then, put together the essentials you'll need to get by without power. You may want to stock up on:

• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Candles and matches
• Cash, in case credit card readers are down at local stores and you need to go out for supplies
• First aid items
• Bottled water
• Canned food

It's also a good idea to have a waterproof safe at home and use it to store essential documents, like passports.

5. Check your homeowners insurance coverage

You might think your current homeowners insurance policy will cover you in the event of a storm. But it's a good idea to review your coverage to make sure it's adequate. Different areas of the country have different rules when it comes to securing coverage for hurricanes. Make sure you're protected from wind and water damage accordingly to avoid unpleasant financial surprises. 

This year's hurricane season could be calmer than last year's, or even more active. So don't take chances. Instead, take these important steps to prepare your home and give yourself the peace of mind you deserve.