Although hurricane season is from June 1st until November 30th, preparing your waterfront property for hurricanes starts months earlier. There's a lot to do and, no matter how long you've lived in Florida, you always need to be prepared for the unexpected.
Related Blog: 4 Ways to Save on Waterfront Property Insurance in Florida
This quick guide will help you get started with the most important steps you need to take to safeguard your waterfront property during hurricane season.
Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with Hurricane Categories & Weather Conditions
Being able to identify different types of storms and hurricane categories is not just vital information, it is crucial for effective disaster preparedness and safeguarding your home in Southwest Florida. Familiarizing yourself with the categories of hurricanes as classified by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale enables proactive measures to minimize damage and ensure safety.
Additionally, it's vital to comprehend the weather conditions, such as storm surges, that often accompany hurricanes and understand their potential impact on your safety. Recognizing these risks can help you prepare better and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your property.
Step 2: Secure Your Personal & Family’s Safety
Safety first! Making sure you and your family are safe and ready in case of a hurricane is essential. Prepare an emergency evacuation plan to be reviewed and agreed upon by all family members. Your emergency plan should include an emergency contact list, nearby shelter locations, and printed area maps.
You should also have a hurricane kit ready in your home in case you are advised to stay inside and you can’t leave the home. A hurricane kit should contain at least three days of non-perishable food for each person and pet.
Step 3: Fortify The Exterior of Your Home To Reduce Damage Risks
Waterfront properties sit on the front lines, facing the fury of storm surges, howling winds, and the relentless assault of hurricanes. Hurricanes can often cause damage in expected areas, like windows broken by trees and debris.
Repairs can come at a steep price, but luckily there are a few precautions you can take to reduce the cost of hurricane damage. FEMA advises that you reduce the risk of damage by cleaning your yard of possible projectiles, installing storm shutters, trimming trees, and sealing exterior openings.
Step 4: Store or Secure Your Boat
There are a few different options to prepare your boat to prepare for a hurricane:
- Dry storage at a marina: Storing your boat in a bay at a marina may not always be the best choice. Although these locations are roofed, they are often constructed sparingly and may sustain significant damage during heavy winds.
- Dry storage at home: If your boat is on a trailer or stands at home, you must ensure that it is securely strapped down. Jack stands can wobble in high winds and may easily become dislodged. One option is to partially fill the boat with water to prevent toppling. Do not leave the boat on a hydraulic lift.
- Anchorage at a dock: If you choose to leave your boat at a dock, you must secure it firmly with at least two anchors. Opt for a floating dock with high pilings, as storm surges can often swamp boats at fixed docks. Anchor lines should be at least 10 times the water depth at the mooring location.
Step 5: Last Minute DIY Repair Your Dock & Seawall
Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause significant damage to your seawall and dock if they're not properly prepared. Seawalls are an essential line of defense against hurricanes and your dock needs to be in good shape to secure your boat without causing more damage.
Start with inspecting your seawall for cracks, bowing, or erosion and ensure it's in good condition. Your dock should also be checked for structural integrity. Look out for loose decking, worn pilings, or any signs of rot since damaged pieces can become projectiles during high winds.
As a leading marine construction company in Southwest Florida, we can help you plan for hurricanes by repairing your seawall, dock, and/or boat lift to secure your defenses against rising tides and high winds.
Whether you need deck repairs or want to build one that will last for decades, we would be happy to help. Make sure you're ready for the next hurricane by downloading our hurricane season checklist.
