Hurricane season is coming. Are you prepared?

At Island Home and Estate Management, hurricane preparedness is a top priority for us and our clients. We know first-hand how damaging hurricanes can be for South Florida homeowners.

When those hurricane warnings go up, things can get serious fast. 

Florida consistently experiences the highest number of hurricanes and, correspondingly, the costliest damage nationwide. For example, hurricane Ian caused losses of $112 billion.

Moreover, these risks are climbing — a study by CoreLogic predicts that losses could reach $585 billion due to continued coastal development and climate change impacts.

Storms aside, Florida is paradise. And with a little preparation and planning ahead of time, you can easily ensure your vacation home’s safety. 

At Island Home and Estate Management, we want to make sure all our clients are fully prepared when hurricane season arrives. Here’s a list of essential tips for storm readiness. Ensuring that these measures are in place can minimize damage and ensure everyone's safety when a hurricane threatens South Florida. Our team can offer a helping hand with most of this emergency planning checklist. 

1. Inspect and secure your property:

The first step to ensure your vacation home’s safety is storm-proofing. 

Carefully inspect windows, doors, roof, siding, and all other areas for any necessary repairs or reinforcements. 

When you put Island Home & Estate Management in charge of your property, our team of experienced property managers will conduct a comprehensive pre-season inspection, identify any vulnerabilities or code violations, and oversee any necessary upgrades or installations. 

We will also: 

• Replace any windows or doors that are old, or damaged. 
• Install tested and certified hurricane impact-resistant shutters.
• Make sure your roof is less than 10 years old and in excellent condition, and replace any loose, cracked, or missing shingles. 
• Trim dead branches from trees and palms. 
• Clear rain gutters and downspouts of any debris that could clog drainage. 
• Secure loose outdoor furniture, decor pieces, propane tanks, garbage cans, and anything else that could turn into dangerous flying projectiles in high winds.

Backup power sources

Electricity loss is almost guaranteed during hurricanes. 

Have a professional generator installed with enough fuel capacity to power essential appliances and equipment for at least 5-7 days. You also need to provision for adequate fuel storage according to local fire codes and have a replenishment plan. 

As your trusted estate managers, our team will:

• Test the generator monthly, perform annual maintenance and install battery-powered backups for sump pumps. Coordinate with trusted electricians and suppliers to install automatic generators sized for your specific home's needs. 
• Stock up on extra batteries for flashlights and battery packs to keep cell phones charged. 

Stock up on emergency supplies

Be prepared with at least a week’s worth of non-perishable food, drinking water, and supplies – this is a critical move in emergency planning. 

• Create an emergency kit with items like first-aid supplies, flashlights, battery-powered radios, extra batteries, duct tape, garbage bags, multipurpose tools, and cash. 
• Don’t forget pet food and supplies for furry companions. 
• Also assemble a go-bag with essential documents, contact information, prescriptions, medications, valuables, and irreplaceable items to take with you in case of evacuation. Check and replenish kits annually.

Protect irreplaceable valuables

It's not just your vacation home’s safety that you’re concerned with, but also the valuable possessions it houses. 

• Keep jewelry, artwork, stock certificates, collections, photo albums, and other irreplaceable items in a secure space in your home. 
• Store original property deeds, insurance policies, and other vital records in the secure space as well. 
• Take current photos and video of your property and possessions, and store copies offsite, for insurance claim documentation if needed. 

Communicate your plans clearly

Talk to everyone who uses your vacation home about emergency plans and exchange contact information. 

Keep our team updated on all your emergency contacts and hurricane plans. We will be your communication lifeline before, during, and after the storm.

Stay informed

Monitor storm-tracking apps, local media, and emergency broadcasts. Sign up for community warning text alerts. Our team can handle monitoring storm forecasts and updates for you. We will communicate any important developments or recommendations.

Follow evacuation orders

Never ignore mandatory evacuation orders. Local officials issue notices based on the latest storm predictions and in your best interest. Know your zone, heed all warnings, and leave immediately when told to evacuate. 

As your property management partner, we will monitor evacuation notices for your area closely and make sure you are informed of any orders to leave. Your safety is our top concern.

Following these comprehensive tips will provide greater peace of mind that you've done everything possible to be ready for these dangerous storms. We’ve been operating in Florida for over a decade, and we know from experience that with smart planning and vigilance, you can weather hurricanes safely and with little to no stress.

Get Through Storm Season With Estate Management You Can Trust

For over a decade, Island Home and Estate Management has been safeguarding vacation homes in South Florida and guiding clients through storm season.

Our operations cover Hutchinson Island, Jupiter Island, Jupiter, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Singer Island, West Palm, and Palm Beach Island.

To sum up, our team of experts will handle all your storm preparation needs such as:

• Initial property inspection and any necessary upgrades
• Coordinating generator installation and maintenance
• Stocking emergency supplies tailored to your household
• Documenting your home and valuables
• Monitoring forecasts and communication alerts
• Executing property preparations if you can’t be on-site
• Conducting pre/post storm checks if needed
• Managing any repairs after the hurricane passes

We are committed to protecting what matters most – your loved ones, your property, and your peace of mind. Contact us to develop a plan together, before the storms come.