When should I start preparing for hurricane season in Orlando?

Start in spring — March through May — so everything is done before the June 1 season start. Shutter installation alone can take 3 to 8 weeks from quote to final inspection, so early spring is ideal if you need new shutters.

How much water and food should I store for a hurricane?

Plan on at least one gallon of water per person per day for 3 days, and 3 days of non-perishable food — more of both is better. Do not forget pet food and water, prescription medications, and a manual can opener.

Does Orlando get evacuated for hurricanes?

Inland Orlando rarely faces mandatory evacuation — those orders mostly affect coastal and flood-prone zones. Still, know your evacuation zone, have a destination in mind, and never ignore an official order if one is issued for your area.

Should I close my shutters for a tropical storm, or only hurricanes?

Close them for any storm with tropical-storm-force winds or higher forecast for your area. Tropical storms still throw debris and knock out power. With permanent shutters it takes minutes — there is no reason to gamble.

What should I do right after the hurricane passes?

Wait for the official all-clear — the calm eye means the second half is still coming. Then photograph any damage before cleanup, check your shutters for damage, and report damage to your insurer promptly with your "before" photos ready.

Hurricane Season Prep Checklist for Orlando Homes

Start with the date: June 1

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 every year. The checklist below is built to be finished before June 1 — because once a storm is in the forecast, stores empty out, installers stop taking new jobs, and every task gets ten times harder. Work through it in spring and you will face the season calm instead of scrambling.

1. Protect your openings

Test every shutter. Close and open each one fully. Fix anything that sticks now. Our maintenance guide has the full routine.
No shutters yet? Get quotes now — spring is the last comfortable window. Our cost guide and types guide will get you started.
Panel owners: confirm every panel is labeled, undamaged, and stored where you can reach it fast. Count the hardware — missing bolts discovered at 8 p.m. before a storm are a nightmare.
Motorized shutters: test remotes, wall switches, and battery backups. Replace batteries on schedule.
Garage door: make sure it is rated or braced — it is the most failure-prone opening on most homes.

2. Secure the outside

Trim trees and branches — especially anything overhanging the roof. Weak limbs become missiles.
Check the roof: loose shingles, damaged flashing, clogged gutters. Small roof problems become big ones in 100-mph wind.
Plan for yard items: know what comes inside (patio furniture, grills, potted plants, toys) and what gets anchored. Decide now, not when the wind starts.
Clean gutters and drains so heavy rain flows away from the house, not into it.

3. Stock supplies (before the shelves empty)

Water: one gallon per person per day for at least 3 days — more is better. Do not forget pets.
Food: 3+ days of non-perishable food and a manual can opener.
Power: flashlights, batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, and phone chargers (including a power bank).
Medical: a week of prescriptions, first-aid kit, and any special needs items.
Cash: ATMs and card readers fail when the power is out.
Fuel: keep the car tank at least half full through the season; fill propane for grills.

4. Handle the paperwork

Insurance: review your homeowners policy before the season — know your hurricane deductible (it is usually a percentage, not a flat number). Confirm your wind mitigation discounts are applied.
Documents: photograph or scan IDs, insurance policies, medical records, and home inventory. Store copies in the cloud and in a waterproof bag.
Shutter paperwork: keep product approvals and your permit sign-off with your insurance documents — you will want them if you ever file a claim.
Photos of your home: walk around and photograph every room and the exterior. If you ever file a claim, "before" photos are gold.

5. Make the family plan

Know your zone: check whether your Orlando address is in an evacuation zone and where you would go. Inland Orlando rarely evacuates, but know your zone anyway.
Pick a meeting point and an out-of-town contact everyone checks in with.
Plan for pets: know which shelters or hotels take animals, and have carriers and food ready.
Decide your shutter trigger: agree in advance at what forecast point you close up — for example, when Orlando enters the cone. Deciding under pressure leads to delays.

6. When a storm is actually coming

Close all shutters. Every opening — no exceptions.
Bring in everything from the yard.
Charge every device and power bank.
Fill bathtubs and containers with water for flushing and washing.
Turn the fridge and freezer to their coldest settings.
Stay inside, away from windows, until officials say it is safe — the calm eye means more storm is coming.

After the storm

Wait for the all-clear. Then photograph any damage before you touch anything, open your shutters, and check each one for damage using our maintenance guide. If shutters are damaged, call for repair before the next storm — do not assume "it held once, it will hold again" with bent tracks.

Get protected before June 1

The single highest-impact item on this list is protecting your openings — it is what keeps a storm from destroying your home from the inside. Send the free quote form below and let us get your shutters measured, quoted, and scheduled before the season starts.