Preparing Your Valrico Home for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season in Florida runs June 1st through November 30th, with peak activity in August and September. If you own a home in Valrico, preparation is not optional — it is essential. Here is a practical, task-by-task checklist that covers your home, your AC, your yard, and your supplies.

What Should You Do to Your Home's Exterior?

Start with the outside — this is where storm damage happens first:

• Inspect hurricane shutters: If you have shutters, test them. Make sure all panels, tracks, and fasteners are present and functional. Replace any missing hardware now — stores sell out fast once a storm approaches.
• No shutters? Measure for plywood: Pre-cut 5/8-inch plywood panels for each window and label them. Store them in the garage. Trying to buy and cut plywood the day before a hurricane is a nightmare.
• Inspect the roof: Look for loose, cracked, or missing shingles. Check flashing around vents and chimneys. Small issues become major leaks in hurricane-force rain.
• Check the garage door: Garage doors are one of the most vulnerable points in a Florida home. If yours is older or single-layer, consider bracing or a hurricane-rated replacement.
• Inspect and repair fencing: A damaged fence becomes debris in high winds. Fix loose boards and wobbly posts before they become projectiles.
• Seal windows and doors: Check caulk and weatherstripping around all windows and exterior doors. Re-seal any gaps that could allow wind-driven rain inside.

What About Trees and Landscaping?

Trees cause more hurricane damage to homes than almost anything else. Take these steps:

• Trim dead branches: Remove any dead, dying, or overhanging branches — especially those near the house, power lines, or the AC unit.
• Thin tree canopies: A properly thinned tree lets wind pass through instead of catching it like a sail. Hire an arborist for large trees.
• Remove weak trees: If you have a tree that is leaning, has significant trunk damage, or is a species prone to failure (like a laurel oak), consider having it removed before storm season.
• Secure potted plants and garden art: Anything not bolted down becomes a projectile. Move pots, garden statues, and decorations inside or to a secure area.

How Should You Prepare Your AC?

Your AC is critical in post-storm recovery — Florida summer without cooling is dangerous. Protect it:

• Schedule a pre-hurricane tune-up: Get your AC serviced before June 1st. A well-maintained system is more likely to restart cleanly after a power outage.
• Know how to shut it down: Before a storm, turn off the AC at the thermostat AND the breaker. This prevents power surge damage when electricity is restored.
• Do NOT cover the outdoor unit: Covers trap moisture and can blow off and cause additional damage. The unit is designed to handle rain.
• Secure loose items near the unit: Remove or tie down anything near the condenser that could blow into it during high winds.

What Goes in Your Hurricane Supply Kit?

Build your kit before June 1st. Supplies disappear from stores once a storm is in the forecast:

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day, 3-7 days' supply
• Food: Non-perishable items (canned goods, protein bars, peanut butter). Manual can opener.
• Medications: 7-day supply of all prescriptions
• Lighting: Flashlights, extra batteries, battery-powered lanterns
• Communication: Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, fully charged phone and power banks
• Documents: Insurance policies, IDs, and important papers in a waterproof bag
• Cash: ATMs and card readers do not work without power. Have $200-$500 in small bills.
• First aid kit: Basic supplies plus any personal medical items

What Else Should You Do?

• Review your insurance: Know your hurricane deductible (usually 2-5% of insured value). Understand what is and is not covered. Add flood insurance if you do not have it.
• Document your home: Walk through every room and take photos or video of your belongings. Store this documentation in the cloud. It makes insurance claims dramatically easier.
• Know your evacuation zone: Visit HillsboroughCounty.org to find your zone. Have a plan for where you will go if evacuation is ordered.
• Talk to your neighbors: Know who needs help — elderly neighbors, families with young children, pet owners. Community preparation saves lives.

Need Help Preparing?

Best Bay Services provides home repair and maintenance to help Valrico homeowners prepare for hurricane season. From fence repair to AC prep to securing your home's exterior, we can help you get ready. Contact us or call (813) 416-8676.