Key takeaways
- Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Get your prep done before it starts.
- Your roof is the part most likely to fail in a storm, so have it looked at early while roofers still have openings.
- Record a video walkthrough of your home and check your policy. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood.
- After a storm, stay safe first, photograph the damage before you clean anything, and stop water from getting in fast.
Hurricane season here runs from June 1 to November 30, and Jacksonville sits right in the path. You don’t need a direct hit to end up with a mess. A storm passing offshore can still bring tropical-storm winds, days of rain, and surge pushing up the St. Johns. The people who come out of a storm in the best shape are almost always the ones who got ready before the forecast started pointing this way.
Work through the list below and you’ll know exactly where your house is weak before a storm finds out for you.
Do this now, before any warning
Have your roof looked at
The roof is what keeps the weather out, and it’s also the first thing to go when the wind picks up. Loose or lifted shingles, exposed nail heads, and old flashing around vents and chimneys are where wind-driven rain gets in, and that’s behind most of the interior damage we see after a storm. If nobody has been up there in over a year, get it checked now.
Schedule a free roofing inspection while contractors still have room on the calendar. The week a storm forms, every roofer in town is booked solid.
Clear the gutters and drains
Our summer storms drop rain faster than a clogged gutter can move it. When water can’t drain, it backs up under the shingles and pools against the foundation. Clear out the leaves, make sure downspouts carry water several feet away from the house, and check that your yard drains are actually flowing.
Deal with trees and loose items
That big oak or pine is great until a limb is sitting on your roof. Cut back dead or overhanging branches before the season. Then look around the yard at everything that turns into a missile at 60 miles an hour: patio furniture, the grill, planters, trash cans, the kids’ trampoline. Know what comes inside and what gets tied down.
Document the house and read your policy
Walk through every room with your phone and shoot video, including the outside and anything expensive. Save it to the cloud. Then actually read your insurance policy. Know your hurricane deductible, which is often a percentage of the home’s value rather than a flat dollar amount. Find out whether you carry flood coverage, because a normal homeowners policy does not include it. Write down your agent’s number somewhere you can find it when the power is out.
72 hours out, when a storm is in the forecast
- Put up your shutters or pre-cut plywood over the windows. Taping the glass does nothing. That one’s a myth.
- Bring in anything that could blow around, and anchor what’s too big to move.
- Charge your phones, battery packs, and any medical equipment, and fill up the gas tank.
- Stock up on water and supplies. Plan on a gallon of water per person per day for at least a week, plus food that doesn’t need cooking, medications, and some cash.
- Take fresh photos of the house so you can show what was already there versus what the storm did.
- Put important documents in a waterproof bag or container.
- Know your evacuation zone. Duval County zones are based on surge, so look yours up now, not while you’re trying to leave.
After the storm
Once it’s safe to go outside, the goal is to keep a bad situation from getting worse. Your insurer expects you to take reasonable steps to limit further damage, so this part matters.
- Watch for hazards. Stay away from downed power lines and any standing water that could be carrying a current. Don’t climb up on the roof yourself.
- Take photos and video of everything before you move or clean it. That means the roof, ceilings, walls, floors, and your belongings.
- Stop water from coming in. A tarp over a damaged section buys you time. Standing water inside needs to come out quickly. Our guide on water damage restoration in Jacksonville walks through what to do.
- Call your insurance company to open a claim, and keep notes on who you talked to and when.
- Get a professional to look at it. The damage you can’t see, like wet insulation or water sitting behind a wall, is usually what turns into mold a couple of weeks later.
If your home takes a hit, Armada Construction can handle the whole thing in one place: emergency storm damage restoration, roof repair, and water and structural restoration. Using one licensed contractor across the roof, the water, and the repairs keeps your insurance claim straight and gets you back to normal faster.
Where this leaves you
You can’t steer a hurricane, but you can decide whether your roof, gutters, and paperwork are ready when one shows up. Spend a weekend on the “do this now” list before June, keep the 72-hour list handy, and save a number you trust for afterward. It’s the cheapest insurance you’ll ever buy.
Want your roof checked before the season gets busy? Call Armada Construction at (904) 449-5112 or request a free inspection.
Frequently asked questions
When does hurricane season start in Jacksonville?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 every year. The highest-risk stretch for Northeast Florida is usually August through October, but storms can form any time in that window, so it’s smart to be ready before June 1.
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage in Florida?
Most Florida policies cover wind damage from a hurricane, usually with a separate hurricane deductible. Flood damage from surge or rising water is a different story and generally is not covered without separate flood insurance. Check your policy before the season so there are no surprises.
What should I do first if my roof is damaged in a storm?
Once it’s safe, take photos and video of the damage, get a tarp over any active leak to stop more water from getting in, and call both your insurer and a licensed roofer. Don’t climb onto a storm-damaged roof yourself.
How soon should I deal with water that got inside during a storm?
Right away. In our humidity, mold can start growing in about 24 to 48 hours. Get the standing water out, start drying the space, and have someone check for moisture you can’t see before it turns into a bigger problem.
