September sits right in the heart of hurricane season in North Central Florida, which makes now a good time to take a look around your property before a storm is headed your way. A few jobs are much easier to handle on a normal weekend than in the rush before heavy rain and high winds arrive.
Start With the Trees
Walk around your yard and look for dead limbs, weak branches, or trees that could cause trouble if the wind picks up. Anything hanging over the roof, driveway, fence, or power lines deserves a closer look, and larger tree work is best handled by a professional before there is a storm in the forecast.
Give the Rain Somewhere to Go
Florida storms can drop a lot of water in a short amount of time, so check your gutters and downspouts for leaves, pine needles, and other debris. Clearing them now helps rain move away from the house instead of backing up along the roofline or spilling where you do not want it.
Check Your Windows and Doors
If you use hurricane shutters, make sure you know where all the pieces and hardware are and that everything still fits properly. If plywood is your plan, measure and cut it ahead of time so you are not trying to do the job when supplies are scarce, and bad weather is getting close.
Do not forget the garage door, either. Because of its size, it can be especially vulnerable to strong winds, so check whether yours is rated for higher winds or could use additional bracing.
Prepare Inside, Too
While you are working on the house, review your homeowners insurance and make sure you understand your wind and flood coverage. It is also a good time to restock your emergency kit with water, shelf-stable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, chargers, and anything your family or pets may need for several days.
A little preparation now can make the days before a storm much less stressful, and it gives you time to take care of your home without racing the forecast.