Hurricane Season Home Prep Checklist for Tampa Bay

The work you do before hurricane season is worth ten times the work you do after. Here is a realistic checklist focused on the parts of the house that actually fail in a storm.

Roof and envelope

• ▸Get a professional inspection, especially if the roof is over ten years old or has been through a named storm.
• ▸Repair loose or missing shingles and tiles now, since these are where wind gets a starting point.
• ▸Reseal or replace cracked vent boots and worn flashing.
• ▸Confirm soffits and fascia are secure, because wind driving into a failed soffit can pressurize and lift a roof.
• ▸Check that windows, doors, and shutters close and lock properly.

Around the property

• ▸Trim branches that overhang the roof and remove dead limbs.
• ▸Clear gutters and downspouts so water can actually leave.
• ▸Identify anything in the yard that becomes a projectile and plan where it goes.
• ▸Know how to shut off your water, power, and gas.

The documentation step people skip

This one costs nothing and is the highest-leverage thing on the list. Before the season, walk the outside and inside of your home and take date-stamped photos and video of everything in good condition.

If you later file a claim, that before-and-after comparison is extremely persuasive. Without it, you are arguing from memory against an adjuster's assessment. Store the files in the cloud, not just on your phone.

Have this ready in one folder

1. Your policy number and your carrier's claim phone number.
2. Photos and video of the property in pre-storm condition.
3. Any prior roof inspection reports or permit records.
4. Contact info for a licensed local roofer you already trust.
5. Receipts for recent roof or envelope work.