Safety
Storm season readiness for your home
A simple checklist for Tampa-area homeowners: what to handle before a storm is named, and what to do when one is on the way.
Do these before the season gets busy
The work that matters most is the work done early, on a calm weekend, with stores fully stocked.
- Know your evacuation zone and your route out
- Photograph each room and your home's exterior for insurance records
- Store insurance policies, IDs, and account numbers digitally somewhere you can reach from your phone
- Test the generator, replace old batteries, and refill fuel containers safely
- Trim branches that overhang the roof, driveway, or power lines
When a storm is on the way
- Bring in anything the wind can lift: patio furniture, planters, trash bins, yard signs, kids' toys
- Fill vehicles with fuel and prescriptions early, not the day before landfall
- Charge phones, battery packs, and any medical devices
- Fill a bathtub or containers with water for cleaning and flushing
- Check in on neighbors who live alone or may need help preparing
After it passes
Stay off standing water — it hides downed lines, sharp debris, and wildlife. Photograph any damage before you clean up, and be cautious with door-to-door repair offers. Reputable contractors do not require full payment up front.
Keep it easy on your neighbors
Yard debris left at the curb becomes a projectile in the next band of wind. Bag or bundle it, and follow county collection guidance for storm debris.