Physical protection
- Impact shutters (roll-down, accordion, removable panels) — install $30-80/sq ft covered. Permanent and discreet.
- Impact glass (windows, sliding doors) — resists debris up to cat. 5. Earns wind mit credits up to 30% premium reduction.
- 5/8" plywood panels custom-cut — budget option, install quickly.
- Reinforced roof (clips or hurricane straps, Florida Building Code post-2002 standard).
- Hurricane-rated garage door (often weak point).
Emergency gear
- Portable generator 5-10 kW ($1,000-3,000) or standby generator propane/natural gas ($5,000-15,000).
- Fuel storage + cans (5-20 gal stored safely).
- Drinking water: 1 gal/person/day × 7 days.
- Non-perishable food 7 days.
- First-aid kit, medications.
- LED flashlights, batteries, NOAA radio.
- Satellite phone or hotspot for comms if network down.
- Tarp, rope, duct tape for urgent repairs.
Pre-season documentation
- Detailed photos of every room, exteriors, roof (drone ideal).
- Inventory of items > $500 (video + serial numbers).
- Updated insurance + NFIP policy copies.
- Emergency contact list (insurer, plumber, electrician, AC, neighbors, CA family).
- Policy numbers (claim number, agent, hotline).
- Everything backed up in cloud (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive).
Evacuation plan
- Evacuation orders from local authorities (county Sheriff, FEMA, Governor) per storm category.
- Evac zone: check your zone (A, B, C, D, E) at the county Emergency Management site.
- Evac routes: I-75 north, I-95 north, FL Turnpike. Typical saturation 24-48 hrs before landfall.
- Shelters: Red Cross, municipal. Pets accepted at some.
- Inland hotels (Orlando, Tampa, Tallahassee, Atlanta) often full.
For absent Canadian snowbirds
- The concierge / property manager executes the prep and post-recovery.
- From June 1, send the concierge a written action plan: who to call, authorization to spend up to $X, preferred vendors.
- Keep USD reserve accessible for the hurricane deductible (see deductible-math article).
- Refresh emergency contact list each season.
- Consider returning to FL after a major hurricane to oversee claim and repairs.
Formulaires officiels et pages de référence
Responsabilité du lecteur
Toujours utiliser la dernière version disponible sur le site officiel cité ci-dessous. Les seuils, taux et délais évoluent. CanadaFlorida ne se substitue pas à un professionnel licencié.
Every figure, rate, threshold, and deadline in this guide is drawn from a verifiable primary source listed at the bottom of the page. The article is updated whenever the underlying rules change, with a fresh review date stamped at the top.
Sources and references
Public sources verified as of the last review date (Florida Statutes, Florida Department of Revenue, Citizens, FEMA, DBPR).
- NOAA National Hurricane Center. nhc.noaa.gov
- FEMA Ready.gov — Hurricane Preparedness. ready.gov/hurricanes
- Florida Division of Emergency Management. floridadisaster.org