Hurricane season checklist. A hurricane season checklist helps you prepare home, family, documents, supplies, and property before an active storm threat creates time pressure. The safest plan puts people, official alerts, and evacuation instructions first.
TL;DR: The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before a named storm is approaching Central Florida. Start with a household plan, official alerts, evacuation readiness, supplies, documents, pets, and a review of the property’s roof, gutters, outdoor items, and drainage. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, but preparation should not wait for a forecast.[1] For a clear picture of your roof’s current condition, book your free roof inspection with Gravity Roofing or call (407) 461-0234.
Last reviewed: August 2026
Central Florida homeowners know that hurricanes are not only a coastal concern. Tropical systems can bring heavy rain, wind, tornadoes, flooding, power outages, and debris hazards far inland.[2] The good news is that much of hurricane readiness can be handled calmly before shelves empty, contractors become busy, and official alerts become urgent.
This checklist is designed to help you prepare the whole home and household. It does not replace directions from local emergency management, your county, the National Weather Service, or other public officials. If officials issue an evacuation order or other safety direction for your area, follow it promptly.
Hurricane Season Checklist: 10 Essential Steps
Use a hurricane season checklist before conditions become active, then follow official local guidance as a storm approaches.
When is hurricane season in Florida?
Florida is part of the Atlantic basin, where the official hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.[1] A storm can still cause disruption at any point in the season, and its effects may reach inland communities well away from the coast.
The best approach is to complete the core tasks before hurricane season begins or as early in the season as possible. Once a system is approaching, you can focus on official instructions and the plan you already made rather than trying to start from scratch.
Your essential hurricane-season checklist
| Preparation area | What to do before a storm is forecast | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Household plan | Decide where household members will meet, how you will communicate, and who may need extra help. Keep key contacts on paper as well as in your phone. | Power, internet, and mobile service can be limited after a storm. |
| Evacuation readiness | Find your county’s official emergency-management resources, identify your evacuation zone and routes, plan for pets, and know possible destinations. | Evacuation directions depend on the actual threat and local conditions, not a one-size-fits-all rule. |
| Alerts | Sign up for local alerts and keep more than one way to receive official emergency information. | Conditions and instructions can change quickly. |
| Supplies | Build and rotate a disaster kit with water, shelf-stable food, medication, a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, a radio, chargers, cash, and pet supplies. | NOAA recommends at least three days of food, water, and medicine per person, with a longer water supply if possible. |
| Important records | Review insurance documents, make a home inventory, back up key photos and documents, and keep secure copies accessible. | Clear records can help with recovery and communication after a storm. |
| Roof and drainage | Schedule a pre-season roof inspection, look for safe ground-level signs of concern, and arrange gutter or drainage maintenance before a storm. | Wind-driven rain often finds weaknesses at roof transitions, drainage points, and existing openings. |
| Outdoor property | Bring in or secure outdoor furniture and other loose items when a storm threat is forecast. Make a plan for yard debris and exterior items before conditions deteriorate. | Loose items can become windborne hazards; debris can complicate drainage and cleanup. |
| Home protection | Review the condition and approved use of shutters, impact protection, doors, and garage-door systems. Use qualified professionals for work you cannot perform safely. | NOAA recommends strengthening the home before hurricane season, not during last-minute conditions. |
| Pets, neighbors, and access needs | Include pet food, medication, carriers, and identification in your plan. Check on older neighbors or anyone who may need help preparing. | A practical plan accounts for everyone in the household and community. |
Start with the plan: people first, property second
A hurricane plan should answer practical questions before the weather turns stressful. Where will you go if you need to leave? How will you contact family if cell service is strained? Who will help a child, older adult, person with a disability, or pet? Which medication and documents must go with you?
Ready.gov recommends knowing your evacuation zone and routes, practicing a household plan, planning for pets, and following local emergency-management instructions.[2] Do not rely on an article or social post to tell you whether to evacuate. Use your county emergency-management office and official alerts for location-specific instructions.
For Central Florida, save your county’s emergency-management contact information early. Gravity Roofing’s service area spans several counties and communities, so evacuation, shelter, transportation, and local-alert information can differ by address.
Build supplies before demand spikes
A good disaster kit should support your household before, during, and after a storm. NOAA recommends enough non-perishable food, water, and medicine for at least three days for each person, with more water if possible.[1] Florida’s Division of Emergency Management maintains a disaster-supply checklist that homeowners can use and adapt for their household.[3]
| Core supplies to prepare | Household-specific additions |
|---|---|
| Water and shelf-stable food | Prescription medication and medical supplies |
| Flashlights and extra batteries | Infant supplies or mobility aids |
| Battery-powered or hand-crank radio | Pet food, water, carrier, and records |
| Phone charging options | Glasses, hearing-aid batteries, or communication devices |
| First-aid supplies and basic hygiene items | Comfort items for children or family members with access needs |
| Cash and printed contact list | Copies of essential documents and insurance information |
Do not wait until a hurricane watch or warning to purchase basics. Build the kit slowly, check expiration dates, and refresh it at the beginning of each season.
Prepare the roof and drainage system early
Your roof is a key part of the home’s weather barrier, but hurricane preparation should not turn homeowners into roofers. Do not climb onto the roof, walk on shingles, or attempt roof-level repairs yourself. A dry, clear pre-season inspection is safer and more useful than a rushed assessment when a storm is approaching.
A professional pre-hurricane roof inspection can help document current roof conditions, identify visible concerns around transitions and drainage, and explain whether maintenance or repair should be considered before the season progresses. Gravity Roofing offers free inspections for homeowners who want a professional assessment before a storm threat develops.
At ground level, observe what you can safely see: overflowing or clogged gutters, downspout discharge problems, tree limbs close to the roofline, loose outdoor materials, and water that consistently pools near the home. Ready.gov recommends clearing drains and gutters, bringing in outside furniture, and considering hurricane shutters as part of pre-storm preparation.[2] If a task requires ladder or roof access, arrange qualified help rather than taking on a fall risk.
For a roof-specific checklist and home documentation guide, see Hurricane Preparedness: How to Secure Your Roof and Document Your Home once Blog 05 is published.
Create a home record before the storm
Take time to document the home while it is dry and undamaged. Photograph exterior elevations, roofline views from the ground, windows, doors, major rooms, valuable belongings, and major appliances. Record serial numbers where relevant and keep the information in a secure, password-protected digital location with copies of important documents.
NOAA recommends reviewing insurance and documenting possessions before hurricane season.[1] This is not an insurance-coverage recommendation or a guarantee of any claim outcome. It is simply a practical record that can help you remember pre-storm conditions and organize information later.
Keep copies of your insurance declaration page, property records, identification, medications list, emergency contacts, and any prior roof inspection or repair documents. For a post-storm documentation workflow, see How to Document Storm Damage for an Insurance Claim once Blog 10 is published.
Make a practical property plan for a forecasted storm
When a tropical system is forecast to affect your area, shift from seasonal preparation to official-alert monitoring. Follow your county and local officials, confirm your household plan, bring in loose outdoor items when conditions allow, charge devices, and make sure your supplies and documents are accessible.
| Do when conditions are calm and official guidance allows | Do not do |
|---|---|
| Review your household communication and evacuation plan | Wait for a mandatory order to decide where you will go |
| Bring in or secure loose outdoor items | Stand outside once winds or lightning make conditions unsafe |
| Charge phones and backup power devices | Depend on a single alert source or a social-media rumor |
| Check that supplies, medication, pet items, and documents are ready | Climb on the roof or use a ladder for last-minute repairs |
| Follow local instructions about evacuation, shelters, and closures | Drive, walk, or wade through floodwater |
The home is important, but life safety comes first. If local officials tell you to evacuate, do so. Do not stay behind to protect property or complete a roof task.
What should I do about my roof before hurricane season?
Schedule a roof inspection early enough that you have time to understand the findings and consider appropriate work before a storm threat develops. A professional can identify observed roof conditions, document them, and explain repair options. The inspection is a fact-finding step—not a prediction that a hurricane will damage the roof.
A pre-storm inspection can be especially useful if you have noticed a recent ceiling stain, a prior leak, aging roof materials, debris impact, drainage problems, visible damage from the ground, or an older repair you want checked. Call (407) 461-0234 or book your free roof inspection.
Keep the checklist alive all season
Preparation is not a once-only task. Review the plan at the start of hurricane season, after changes in household needs, and whenever a tropical threat develops. Rotate supplies, update contacts, back up new photos, and review any roof or exterior maintenance needs before conditions become urgent.
Protect your home. Protect your peace. Hurricane season preparation starts with a calm plan and a clear roof assessment. Book your free roof inspection or call (407) 461-0234 to understand your roof’s current condition before the next storm forms.
For the roof portion of your hurricane season checklist, Gravity Roofing can provide a free pre-storm inspection and condition documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is hurricane season in Florida?
Florida is in the Atlantic basin, where the official hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Preparation should begin before a named storm is approaching, because tropical hazards can affect inland communities as well as coastal areas.
What should I do to prepare my house for hurricane season?
Make a household and evacuation plan, sign up for official alerts, build supplies, review important documents and insurance information, document possessions, prepare pets, address safe roof and drainage maintenance, and make a plan to secure outdoor items when a storm is forecast.
What should be in a Florida hurricane supply kit?
Use Florida Division of Emergency Management’s current checklist as your starting point. Core categories include water, shelf-stable food, medication, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, a radio, phone chargers, cash, hygiene supplies, pet supplies, and household-specific medical or access-needs items.
How do I prepare my roof for hurricane season?
Schedule a professional roof inspection early, look for ground-level signs of drainage or exterior concerns, and arrange qualified maintenance for any task that requires ladder or roof access. Do not climb onto the roof or attempt last-minute roof repairs yourself.
Should I clean gutters before hurricane season?
Clear drains and gutters are part of federal hurricane-preparedness guidance. If you can safely handle a ground-level task, do so before a storm threat. If gutter work requires a ladder or roof access, arrange qualified help rather than taking a fall risk.
How do I find my evacuation zone in Florida?
Use your county emergency-management office and official state or local resources to find your zone, routes, shelter information, and transportation options. Follow local officials’ instructions during an actual storm threat.
What documents should I keep ready for a hurricane?
Keep secure copies of identification, insurance documents, property records, medical information, medication lists, emergency contacts, home inventory photos, major-appliance serial numbers when relevant, and prior roof inspection or repair records.
When should I schedule a roof inspection before hurricane season?
Schedule early, before a tropical system is approaching and before contractors become heavily booked. A pre-season inspection gives you time to understand the roof’s current condition and discuss options calmly.
