The short answer
Prepare before a storm threatens: know your local evacuation guidance, organize household supplies and documents, and identify home repairs that need professional attention. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, but a calendar is not a substitute for current official alerts.
Put the household plan ahead of the project list
NOAA recommends planning evacuation, communication and supplies before hurricane season. Identify where you would go, transportation needs, important contacts and arrangements for pets. Follow your county’s current emergency-management instructions when a storm threatens.
Keep copies of important household and property documents where you can reach them. Share the plan with everyone who relies on it, including anyone who may need assistance. This article is a planning resource, not a live forecast or emergency alert service.
Create a repair list while there is time to compare proposals
Walk through the property when conditions are safe and record concerns for a qualified professional to assess. Examples include damaged openings, a shutter system that is difficult to operate, recurring leaks or loose exterior components. Do not climb onto a roof to investigate a concern yourself.
Separate a maintenance visit, a repair and a full replacement. Each needs a different scope and schedule. Ask which work requires permits, specialist assessment or lead time for materials. Avoid assuming a large replacement is the only answer to a small unresolved problem.
Check the business before authorizing storm-related work
Keep the contractor’s full business name, written scope, contact details and payment terms together. Search the business on ServiceFax and review available registration, licensing, court and financial findings before signing. Discuss relevant record questions and confirm who will perform the work.
Verify insurance independently and ask how permit and inspection duties are assigned. A report cannot guarantee availability, workmanship or storm performance. If work is already urgent, still record what you authorized and how changes will be approved.
- Compare proposals for the same work and materials.
- Keep payments tied to documented contract terms and progress.
- Save communications, invoices, before-and-after photographs and approval records.
Review insurance and project records before they are needed
Ask your insurance agent about your existing coverage, deductibles and the documentation they would need after a loss. Store the policy and contact details with your home inventory. Do not assume a new product or contractor report changes coverage.
For completed improvements, retain the actual product information, permits, inspection results and warranty documents. These records are more useful than a generic marketing statement about hurricane readiness.
Do not let post-storm pressure remove the hiring checks
After a storm, prioritize safety and follow official instructions. Be cautious about unsolicited repair offers and demands for immediate full payment. Document visible damage from a safe location and contact the appropriate insurer or authority for next steps.
A contractor’s availability is not proof of qualifications. When it is safe to plan repairs, confirm the business identity and the scope before authorizing work. Use the linked fraud guide to organize questions, without treating every dispute or delay as evidence of a crime.
Frequently asked questions
When is Florida’s Atlantic hurricane season?
The official Atlantic season runs June 1 through November 30. Prepare beforehand and follow current NOAA and local emergency-management alerts whenever a storm threatens.
Does this page provide current storm forecasts?
No. Use NOAA and your local emergency-management authority for current weather, warnings and evacuation instructions.