By Ale Zamora

As all residents know, living in Florida comes with year-long blessings, such as sunshine 24/7 and 663 miles of beautiful beaches. It’s practically what all Floridians came here for, and as a result, the love for our beautiful state never fades. However, the Sunshine State isn’t all sunshine all the time; with periodic hurricanes and tropical storms, locals must be ready for the days when the sun takes a backseat.

While Hurricane Irma has already hit Florida, hurricane season isn’t quite over yet; the storm spell lasts all the way until November 30th. Since Florida isn’t in the clear just yet, we’ve put together the only storm preparation guide you’ll ever need to sustain you until this period is over.

Before the Storm

Better safe than sorry, so we here at Collins & Company suggest that the minute you hear about a possible hurricane hitting your area, you take these precautionary actions:

Head to the grocery and hardware store as soon as possible to stock up on non-perishable foods, medicine & toiletries, batteries, flashlights, etc.
Fill your car up with a full tank of gas, and maybe even fill up some extra containers in case you need to evacuate. If you do evacuate, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can keep an eye on your property here
Make a quick stop at your local bank or ATM machine to have some cash on hand in case the power goes out in your area.
Inspect your home for insurance purposes in the event that damage does happen. We recommend grabbing a digital camera or even your phone to snap some photos.
Call local maintenance professionals if you're in need of any heavy-duty materials to be installed. If you're not sure where to look, call us and we'll connect you with some of the most reliable handymen we know.
Make a plan for you and your family in case the situation becomes dangerous.

After the Storm

Even after the event has happened, you’ve still got some work to do. If your home has been damaged or the power is out, keep reading to see what you should be doing...

Document any damages by photographing them just as you did before the storm. Then, file a claim as soon as possible and share your before and after photos with your provider to assess the damages.
Clean up any debris and remove shutters/boards to get your home looking back to normal as soon as possible.
Contact local hotels in your area if your power has gone out and will be out for a substantial amount of time. Pack up all your necessities and book a room ASAP so you have a place to work and sleep in with hot water, A/C, and electricity.

Together, we Floridians can handle any storm that comes our way- it’s just how we’re built. And through it all, remember that we must go through the bad times so we can appreciate the good times. If you’re willing and able, please consider donating to the victims of Hurricane Irma by clicking the image below.

*** If you’re an absentee homeowner (especially those here in Florida), consider hiring a property manager to watch over your home during times like these for some peace of mind. Visit the property management tab on our home page to learn more about our services.

A Homeowner’s Hurricane Guide