How to Prepare Your Central Florida Home or Business for Hurricane Season

VU Window Treatments
May 11
5 min read

Updated: May 12

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and Central Florida sits squarely in the path. Inland location helps, but it doesn't make Orlando, Ocoee, Winter Garden, or Lakeland safe from sustained winds, embedded tornadoes, and a foot or more of rain when a system tracks across the peninsula.

Hurricane Ian dropped over 20 inches of rain on parts of Central Florida in 2022. Hurricane Milton spawned 46 tornadoes statewide in October 2024, the most prolific single-storm tornado outbreak in Florida history.

The time to prep is now, before the first named storm forms and the lines at Home Depot start wrapping the building. This guide covers what to inspect, what to stock, what to install, and what to do differently if you own a commercial property.

What to Expect from the 2026 Hurricane Season

Colorado State University's April 9 forecast calls for a slightly below-normal Atlantic season, around 75% of the long-term average for accumulated cyclone energy. Weak La Niña conditions are expected to transition to El Niño by peak season, which usually increases wind shear and suppresses storms. NOAA releases its official outlook on May 21.

2026 CSU Forecast (April 9)	Number
Named storms	13
Hurricanes	6
Major hurricanes (Cat 3+)	2
Accumulated Cyclone Energy	90 units (~75% of average)

Below-normal does not mean low risk.

Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5 in an otherwise quiet 1992 season. It only takes one storm in the right place. Plan for the worst-case scenario, not the seasonal average.

How to Protect Your Windows and Doors from Hurricane Damage

Windows and doors are where most hurricane damage starts. Once wind breaches an opening, internal pressure rises, the roof goes, and rainwater destroys everything inside. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes ranks openings as the single biggest vulnerability in a Florida home.

Your options, from most to least storm-resistant:

Impact-rated windows and exterior shutters. The gold standard. Required by code for new construction in high-velocity hurricane zones. Expensive to retrofit but eliminates board-up time.
Accordion, roll-down, or panel shutters. Permanent or temporary exterior systems that bolt over your windows. Less attractive than other options, very effective.
Plywood. A 5/8-inch panel cut to fit, anchored properly, still works. Stock materials before storms threaten or you'll find empty shelves.

Inspect the Roof, Gutters, and Garage Door Before June 1

Roof failure and garage door failure cause most catastrophic residential losses. Walk your perimeter and look for:

Missing, lifted, or curling shingles
Cracked or loose flashing around vents and chimneys
Soft spots in soffits and fascia
Clogged gutters and downspouts (a single hurricane can dump 12 inches of rain in 24 hours)
Garage doors without bracing kits, especially double-bay doors

Hurricane straps or clips that tie your roof to the wall framing are mandatory in newer Florida builds, but homes built before the late 1990s often lack them. A licensed contractor can inspect and retrofit. Many Florida insurers offer wind mitigation credits once you upgrade.

Clear Outdoor Spaces and Trim Trees

Anything outside that isn't bolted down becomes a projectile at 80 mph. Two weeks before peak season, work through this list:

Trim palms, oaks, and any branches within 10 feet of the roof
Remove dead or diseased trees that could topple
Bring in or anchor patio furniture, grills, planters, hammocks, and umbrellas
Plan how you'll secure or remove lanai screens ahead of named storms
Clear all gutters and downspouts

Don't wait until a watch is issued. Yard waste pickup gets suspended, debris contractors disappear, and you'll be cutting branches in the rain.

Build a Seven-Day Hurricane Supply Kit

The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends a minimum of seven days of supplies per person. Stores empty fast once a storm enters the cone, so build the kit in May or early June.

Category	What to Stock
Water	1 gallon per person per day, minimum 7 days
Food	Non-perishable, no-cook items; manual can opener
Medications	14-day supply of prescriptions; first aid kit
Power	Flashlights, headlamps, batteries, power banks, portable radio
Documents	Insurance, ID, medical records in a waterproof bag; backed up to cloud
Cash	Small bills; ATMs and card readers go down with power
Fuel	Full gas tank; propane for grills; generator fuel stored safely outside
Other	Pet food, baby supplies, sanitation items, hand tools, tarps

Add a paper map. GPS depends on cell towers that may not be standing.

Plan for Days Without Power

Parts of Central Florida went 7 to 10 days without power in the October heat after Hurricane Milton. A few priorities:

Test your generator before June. Run it 30 minutes monthly.
Never run a generator inside a garage or near windows. Carbon monoxide kills.
Freeze water bottles to extend cold time in your freezer
Identify a friend or family member outside the impact zone you can evacuate to

Hurricane Prep for Central Florida Commercial Properties

If you own a storefront, office building, warehouse, hotel, or rental portfolio, your prep list runs longer:

Confirm your insurance. Standard commercial policies often exclude flood. Verify wind deductibles, business interruption coverage, and contents limits.
Document the property. Photograph or video every room, every piece of equipment, every exterior elevation. Cloud-back the files. Adjusters move faster when you have baseline records.
Secure exterior signage and fixtures. Loose panel signs, banners, and freestanding displays become missiles.
Protect storefront glass. Roll-down commercial shutters or impact film are standard for retail.
Back up data and protect IT infrastructure. Move servers off the floor if flooding is a concern.
Build an employee communication plan. Group text, app, or phone tree, decided before a storm forms.
Stock fuel for backup generators. Verify your automatic transfer switch with an electrician.

Schedule structural and roofing inspections in April or May. Pre-storm inspections cost a fraction of post-storm emergency repairs.

Know Your Evacuation Zone and Stay Informed

Look up your evacuation zone before a storm is named.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a zone lookup at floridadisaster.org, or check your county emergency management office. In Orange County, that's orangecountyfl.net.

Sign up for AlertFlorida and your county's reverse-911 system. Keep a NOAA Weather Radio with battery backup. Cell networks fail during major storms. The radio doesn't.

Pick two evacuation routes. Pick a destination outside the projected impact zone. Pre-pack a go-bag for each family member or employee.

A Quick Hurricane Prep Timeline

When	What to Do
Before June 1	Inspect roof, trim trees, test generator, build supply kit, confirm insurance
Hurricane watch (48 hours out)	Top off fuel, refill prescriptions, charge devices, secure outdoor items
Hurricane warning (36 hours out)	Install shutters or plywood, close interior shutters and shades, fill bathtubs with water
During the storm	Stay indoors, away from windows, in an interior room on the lowest safe floor
After the storm	Document damage before cleanup, avoid downed power lines, file insurance claims promptly

Stay Safe This Hurricane Season

The earlier you prep, the more options you have when a storm enters the cone. Walk the roof, build the kit, know your zone, and have a plan for where you'll go and who you'll call.

A few local resources worth bookmarking: