Living along the Gulf Coast means hurricane season is something homeowners and tenants in the Pensacola area need to take seriously. The best time to prepare for a hurricane isn't when the storm is already approaching—it's well before the forecast starts getting your attention.
In our latest podcast episode, “Hurricane Prep: What Homeowners & Tenants Need to Know,” the Realty Masters team discusses practical steps homeowners and renters can take before, during, and after a storm. We also talk about the differences between owner and tenant responsibilities and what happens when a major storm impacts a rental property.
Here are some of the key points we covered.
Prepare Before the Storm
Waiting until a hurricane is approaching can make preparation much more difficult. Supplies may be harder to find, gas stations can become crowded, and there may not be enough time to address maintenance problems around your property. A few simple steps taken ahead of time can make a big difference.
Know Your Evacuation Zone
Know whether your home is located in an evacuation zone and understand your evacuation route before a storm threatens the area.
Don't wait until an evacuation order is issued to figure out where you're going or how you're getting there. Have a plan for your family, including children, pets, medications, and anyone who may need additional assistance.
👉 Find Your Flood and Evacuation Zones
Always follow official evacuation orders and emergency information from local authorities.
Build an Emergency Kit
Every household should have an emergency supply kit that can be used during a power outage or evacuation.
Consider having:
- Bottled water
- Nonperishable food
- Prescription medications
- First-aid supplies
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Portable phone chargers
- Important documents
- Basic tools
- Pet food and supplies
- Baby and children's necessities
- Personal hygiene items
Don't forget the things your household uses every day. It's easy to remember bottled water and flashlights while forgetting prescription medications, diapers, pet medications, or other necessities.
For a more detailed list of what to have on hand, check out our Hurricane Supply Checklist.
Prepare the Outside of Your Home
As a storm approaches, anything outside that isn't secured can potentially become a hazard.
Bring in or secure:
- Patio furniture
- Grills
- Outdoor decorations
- Potted plants
- Trash and recycling bins
- Children's outdoor toys
- Umbrellas and other loose items
Also take some time to check your gutters and drainage areas. Make sure water has a place to go and that gutters and downspouts aren't blocked with leaves or debris.
Check Your Home for Potential Problems
Hurricane preparation is also a good reminder to address maintenance issues before they become emergencies.
Homeowners should check areas such as:
- Roof shingles and flashing
- Windows and doors
- Storm shutters
- Gutters and downspouts
- Drainage
- Fences and gates
- Trees and branches near the home
If you're a tenant and you've noticed a leaking window, roof issue, plumbing problem, or another maintenance concern, report it to your property manager or landlord before a storm arrives.
The earlier a problem is reported, the more opportunity there may be to address it.
Review Your Insurance
Hurricane preparation isn't just about protecting the physical property. It's also about understanding what your insurance covers.
Homeowners
Homeowners should review their homeowners insurance policy and make sure they understand their coverage, deductibles, exclusions, and any requirements related to hurricane or flood damage.
Tenants
Renters should review their renters insurance as well. A common misconception is that the property owner's insurance automatically covers everything inside a rental home. Generally, the owner's policy covers the building, while renters insurance is designed to protect the tenant's personal belongings and may provide other coverage depending on the policy.
If you're unsure what your policy covers, contact your insurance provider before hurricane season becomes an emergency.
And remember, flood insurance is not covered under your renter’s insurance policy.
Take Photos Before the Storm
One of the easiest things you can do before a hurricane is document your property.
Take photos or videos of:
- The exterior of your home
- Each room
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Valuable personal belongings
- Vehicles
- Outdoor items
For tenants, this can be especially helpful in documenting the condition of the property and your personal belongings before a storm.
Keep important documents, insurance information, and emergency contact information somewhere accessible—and consider keeping digital copies as well.
Know Your Utility Shutoffs
Residents should know where their water, gas, and electrical shutoffs are located and understand how they work.
If you have a generator, make sure you understand how to operate it safely before you need it. Generators should always be operated according to the manufacturer's instructions and kept outdoors in a properly ventilated location. Never operate a generator inside a home, garage, or other enclosed space because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
During the Storm
Once the storm arrives, your focus should be on safety—not property.
Stay indoors unless authorities instruct you to evacuate or there is an emergency requiring you to leave.
Never drive through flooded roads. Even water that doesn't appear particularly deep can be dangerous, and road conditions can change quickly.
Keep monitoring official emergency information for updates about the storm, evacuation orders, road conditions, shelters, and other local information.
After the Storm: Document Before You Clean Up
Once the storm has passed, safety comes first.
Before cleaning up or making repairs, take photos and videos of the damage when it is safe to do so.
Document things such as:
- Roof damage
- Water intrusion
- Broken windows
- Fallen trees
- Damaged fencing
- Interior water damage
- Damaged personal belongings
- Other visible property damage
Avoid putting yourself in danger to document damage. Downed power lines, unstable structures, flooding, and other hazards can remain after the storm has passed.
Homeowners
Homeowners should contact their insurance company as appropriate and follow their instructions regarding damage documentation and emergency repairs.
Tenants
If you're renting a home and discover storm damage, contact your property manager or landlord as soon as possible.
Your property manager needs to know about issues affecting the property so they can determine the appropriate next steps and coordinate with owners, vendors, insurance companies, or other parties when necessary.
At the same time, tenants should remember that damage to the rental property and damage to personal belongings are two different things.
For example, a damaged roof is a property issue, while a tenant's damaged television, furniture, clothing, or other personal belongings may fall under the tenant's renters insurance.
What Does a Florida Property Manager Handle?
Major hurricanes can create a tremendous amount of work for property managers. Multiple properties may experience damage at the same time, vendors may be overwhelmed, utilities may be unavailable, and access to certain areas may be restricted.
Property managers can help coordinate communication, assess reported property issues, communicate with property owners, and coordinate repairs and vendors when they are available.
However, property managers cannot control when emergency services, utility companies, contractors, insurance adjusters, or other outside resources are available.
This is why communication between tenants, property managers, and property owners is especially important after a major storm.
If you are a tenant, report damage promptly and provide photos or videos when it is safe to do so. If you are a property owner, staying in communication with your property manager can help everyone understand what is happening and what steps are being taken.
Hurricane Prep: What Do People Always Forget?
During the podcast, we also had a little fun with one of our favorite hurricane-prep questions:
What is the one thing people always seem to forget until it's too late?
Think about it for a second.
Is it prescription medication? Batteries? Charging your phones? Pet supplies? Cash? Gas? Bringing in the patio furniture?
Everyone has that one thing they don't think about until the shelves are empty and the storm is on the way!
For a complete list of recommended emergency supplies, check out our Hurricane Supply Checklist.
Homeowner or Tenant?
We also put the team to the test with our “Homeowner or Tenant?” segment.
Who is responsible for securing patio furniture?
Who should fix a roof leak before a storm?
Who should take pictures of personal belongings?
What happens when a tree falls?
Who should report a leaking window?
Who is responsible for protecting electronics?
And who files a claim for damaged personal belongings?
These questions are a fun way to look at an important topic: understanding your responsibilities before a hurricane hits can help prevent confusion when something goes wrong.
The exact responsibilities can depend on the lease, the circumstances, applicable law, and the type of damage involved, so tenants should refer to their lease and contact their property manager with questions about a specific situation.
Don't Wait for the Forecast
Hurricane preparation doesn't have to happen all at once.
Start now by making an emergency kit, reviewing your insurance, documenting your belongings, checking your home for maintenance issues, and creating an evacuation plan.
A few hours of preparation before hurricane season—or before a storm is approaching—can save you a lot of stress later.
Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or property owner, knowing what to do before and after a hurricane can help you be better prepared when the next storm comes our way.
More Hurricane Resources
🌪️ Hurricane Supply Checklist
🗺️ Find Your Flood and Evacuation Zones
This article is intended for general informational purposes and is not legal, insurance, or emergency-management advice. Always follow instructions from local emergency officials and consult your insurance provider regarding your specific coverage.
