Wind Safety in Florida

Protecting yourself and your property starts with staying informed about current weather conditions in your area. You will almost have advance warning of major storms like hurricanes or tropical storms, which should typically give you adequate time to prepare your property for strong winds. Depending on the anticipated severity of the storm, it may also be in your best interest to evacuate, but you should get your property ready before departing whenever possible.

Before the storm hits, make every effort to board up windows and doors to reduce the odds of flying objects breaking them or entering your home due to high winds. If there are trees near your home, you should trim them regularly, as excessive winds can send branches or even entire trees onto adjacent structures. Be sure to secure any outdoor furniture or lawn decorations – moving them inside, if possible – to keep them from becoming dangerous projectiles. 

Because extreme winds can knock out power for days or even weeks at a time, you should have a well-stocked emergency kit that includes first aid materials, flashlights (with batteries), remote charging devices, any necessary medications, and enough food and bottled water to last up to two weeks. Keep in mind that, even after a storm and its accompanying winds have ceased, it may not be safe to immediately travel outside if power lines have been downed or if the neighboring streets have been submerged due to flooding.

Finally, most homeowners insurance policies will include coverage for wind damage, but confirm precisely what your policy does and does not cover to ensure you will be financially protected in these scenarios. If you are a businessowner, you should also ensure the insurance policy sufficiently covers wind damage to your commercial property.