--- title: "Hurricane Preparedness: Homeowners Guide" description: Hurricane preparation, homeowners insurance, insurance, due-diligence, hurricane, preparing your home for a hurricane, homeownership, hurricane season image: https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hubfs/shutterstock_2211646943.jpg --- [![RBN Insurance Services](https://rbninsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/logo-white-1.svg)](https://rbninsurance.com/) - [Client Services Portal](https://portal.csr24.com/mvc/491938176) - [312.856.9400](tel:3128569400) - Services - [All Services](https://rbninsurance.com/services/) - [Property + Casualty](https://rbninsurance.com/property-and-casualty/) - - [Chemicals](https://rbninsurance.com/chemicals/) - [Construction + Contractors](https://rbninsurance.com/construction-contractors/) - [Elevators](https://rbninsurance.com/elevators/) - [Manufacturing + distribution](https://rbninsurance.com/manufacturing-distribution/) - [Metals + Recycling](https://rbninsurance.com/metals-recycling/) - [Real estate](https://rbninsurance.com/real-estate/) - [Retail + hospitality](https://rbninsurance.com/retail-hospitality/) - [Scaffolding](https://rbninsurance.com/scaffolding/) - [Technology](https://rbninsurance.com/technology/) - [Waste haulers](https://rbninsurance.com/waste-haulers/) - [Claims Services](https://rbninsurance.com/claims-advocacy-services/) - [Private Equity Advisory](https://rbninsurance.com/private-equity-insurance-advisory/) - [People + Benefits](https://rbninsurance.com/people-and-benefits/) - [Private Client](https://rbninsurance.com/private-client/) - About - [About Us](https://rbninsurance.com/about/) - [Our Team](https://rbninsurance.com/team/) - [Careers](https://rbninsurance.com/careers/) - Insights - [Blog](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/) - [Case Studies](https://rbninsurance.com/case-studies/) - [News](https://rbninsurance.com/news/) [Contact](https://rbninsurance.com/contact/) ![](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2211646943.jpg?width=790&name=shutterstock_2211646943.jpg) | 2 min read # Hurricane Preparedness: Homeowners Guide Written By [RBN](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/author/rbn) Preparing your home: Secure the exterior: - Install hurricane shutters or board up windows with plywood to prevent shattering.  - Clear rain gutters and downspouts to prevent water backups.  - Trim trees and shrubs around your house to eliminate the potential of falling debris.  - Secure or bring in your loose outdoor items, such as patio furniture, garbage cans, and decorations. Reinforce the Roof, Doors, and Garage Doors: - Inspect and maintain your roof regularly, replacing any loose or damaged shingles or tiles.  - Consider installing additional bolts or reinforcements to strengthen doors against high winds.  - Reinforce garage doors with horizontal bracing or install stronger doors designed to withstand high winds. Prepare for Potential Flooding: - Elevate appliances, furniture, and valuables if you live in a flood-prone area. - Clear debris from gutters, downspouts, and drainage areas around your home. - Consider installing a sump pump with a battery backup to help remove accumulated water. Protect your windows: - Install hurricane shutters to board up windows with plywood to prevent shattering and water intrusion. Secure Utilities:  - Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances. - Know how to shut off electricity, gas, and water at the main switches and valves.  Review Your Insurance Coverage: - Take an inventory of all your valuables before the storm (with photos and videos) for potential insurance claims. - Understand your deductibles and document any damages with photos or videos for insurance claims.  Create an Emergency Kit:  - Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, portable phone charges, and any necessary medications or prescriptions.  Watercraft and Mobile Assets: Most insurance policies require reasonable efforts to protect watercraft, mobile homes, and other movable assets from impending hurricanes. If possible, consider the following measures: - Relocate watercraft to a secure inland storage facility or marina away from the storm's projected path.  - Transport mobile homes and vehicles to a sheltered location with minimal exposure to falling trees and debris. - For assets that cannot be relocated, secure them in a sturdy structure or move them to an open area with limited potential hazard.  Family Preparedness:  - Refill any prescriptions ahead of time. - Fill you vehicle's gas tank. - Stock up on essential supplies, such as bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, and plywood. - Consider evacuating if you are in the direct path of the storm. - Have a plan and route for evacuation if needed, accounting for all family members, including pets. - Inform all group members of the plan and their roles/ responsibilities. - Keep pets close by and inside during a storm. - If not evacuating, seek shelter in an interior room away from windows, such as a closet. Stay put until it is safe to move.  - Store valuable papers in waterproof bags. - If told to evacuate, do so immediately. By following these preparedness measures, you can better protect your home, family, and belongings from the potential devastation of a hurricane.  Share To - - - - [mailto:?subject=Hurricane%20Preparedness:%20Homeowners%20Guide&body=https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hurricane-preparedness-homeowners-guide](mailto:?subject=Hurricane%20Preparedness:%20Homeowners%20Guide&body=https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hurricane-preparedness-homeowners-guide) **Disclaimer:** The materials on this page are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice. Coverage outcomes depend on specific policy language and jurisdiction. [← Previous Post](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/tornado-preparedness-homeowners-guide) [Next Post →](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hurricane-preparedness-commercial-property-guide) ## Related Posts [![](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_2435561001.jpg?width=352&name=shutterstock_2435561001.jpg)](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hurricane-preparedness-commercial-property-guide) #### [Hurricane Preparedness: Commercial Property Guide](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hurricane-preparedness-commercial-property-guide) | 1 min read [![](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_5089681.jpg?width=352&name=shutterstock_5089681.jpg)](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hurricane-season) #### [Hurricane Season](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hurricane-season) [Homeowners Insurance](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/tag/homeowners-insurance) | 3 min read [![](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/shutterstock_1985973173.jpg?width=352&name=shutterstock_1985973173.jpg)](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/tornado-preparedness-homeowners-guide) #### [Tornado Preparedness: Homeowners Guide](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/tornado-preparedness-homeowners-guide) | 1 min read Connect with our experienced team of insurance and employee benefits advisors. 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Since our inception in 1993, we have served clients across the United States in a wide variety of industries. - Services - [All Services](https://rbninsurance.com/services/) - [Property + Casualty](https://rbninsurance.com/property-and-casualty/) - [Claims Services](https://rbninsurance.com/claims-advocacy-services/) - [Private Equity Advisory](https://rbninsurance.com/private-equity-insurance-advisory/) - [People + Benefits](https://rbninsurance.com/people-and-benefits/) - [Private Client](https://rbninsurance.com/private-client/) - About - [About Us](https://rbninsurance.com/about/) - [Our Team](https://rbninsurance.com/team/) - [Careers](https://rbninsurance.com/careers/) - Insights - [Blog](https://blog.rbninsurance.com/) - [Case Studies](https://rbninsurance.com/case-studies/) - [News](https://rbninsurance.com/news/) ###### SUBSCRIBE TO THE RBN BLOG - [Client Services Portal](https://portal.csr24.com/mvc/491938176) - RBN & Associates, Inc., dba RBN Insurance Services is an independent insurance brokerage. 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