Get Your Home Ready

There are lots of things you need to do, inside & outside your home, to protect your biggest investment & everything inside during a hurricane. Among the things to consider: trees, patio furniture & other outside items, antennas, your roof, & computer files.

Shopping List

Every home needs certain items to add to a hurricane kit. One of the biggest myths about tropical weather is that a storm will pass quickly, and things will be back to normal soon. That's usually not the case. Here's a list of what you're going to need to have in your home to be sure your family can get through the storm.

Be Hurricane Smart!

There are no grades, but you'll probably be rewarded if you do well. There is a time limit, considering it's only a matter of time before the Tampa area is hit by a hurricane. Take the hurricane quiz! Now is the time to learn the right answers!

Do You Have Proper Insurance?

Planning ahead for a hurricane can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage but you'll still need to have insurance. We'll help you find out of you have the right kind of insurance & enough coverage.

Protecting Your Home

You now have more choices than ever for protecting your home. If you protect EVERY opening in your house with shutters or impact-resistant windows that meet the CURRENT building code, your house stands a very good chance of surviving a hurricane intact. Find out all you need to know about shutters, with comparisons.

Protecting Your Pool

You know you have to prepare your pool for a hurricane, but should you drain it or not? That's not the only concern for pool owners. This section has answers to your important questions about water, chemicals, electricity, & more.

Hurricane Map Terminology

What's a tropical depression? How does it compare to a tropical storm? Which comes first: a watch or a warning? And what about those Saffir-Simpson categories? This is where you'll find explanations for all those terms you're hearing on weather broadcasts & seeing in hurricane preparation material.

Business Preparation

Business owners need to protect more than their homes before and during a hurricane -- a lot more. There's planning & securing, communicating, & dealing with employees & their issues. It's important to have a plan. Let this be your guide.

After The Storm

Monitor CW44 for the official all clear. Only then is it safe to return home or go outdoors to assess damage to your home and neighborhood. Remember to get your proof of residency from your hurricane kit; you may need it to re-enter an evacuation area.