Stay ready. Stay protected.
Living in Florida means hurricane season is a part of life, but preparation can make all the difference. At Omni One Insurance Agency, we’re here to help you protect what matters most, from prepping your home and family to ensuring your insurance coverage can handle whatever comes your way.
Here’s what you need to know (and do) before the next storm.
Create a Home Inventory
Before disaster strikes, document your belongings. Take photos or videos of the inside of your home, focusing on high-value items like electronics, furniture, and appliances. Apps like HouseBook make it easy to organize and store this information digitally, ideal if you ever need to file a claim.
Use Your Washing Machine as a Cooler
Running out of fridge space? Your washing machine can double as a cooler in a pinch. Fill it with ice to keep perishables cold, just be sure to clean it out first.
Charge Up Everything
In a power outage, even an old laptop can charge your phone using a USB cable. Invest in portable power banks and solar-powered chargers as backups.
Secure Your Property
- Trim trees and shrubs around your home.
- Bring in outdoor furniture and decorations.
- Install hurricane shutters or board up windows.
- Test your generator and stock up on fuel (store it safely).
One of the most important—and often overlooked—steps in hurricane prep is knowing your evacuation zone. When mandatory evacuations are issued, local officials announce them by zone (for example, “Lee County Zones A & B”). If you don’t know which zone your home is in, those announcements may not be meaningful in the moment—and that can delay a safe exit.
Finding your zone only takes a minute. Lee and Collier Counties offer simple online tools where you can enter your address and see exactly where you fall:
Lee County – Lee Prepares
Collier County – Evacuation Zone Lookup
Take a moment to find your zone now, so you don’t lose time when a storm is approaching.
A hurricane’s impact isn’t just about wind… storm surge, rainfall, and flooding often cause the most damage.
- Category 1 – 74 to 95 mph: Minimal damage
- Category 2 – 96 to 110 mph: Moderate damage
- Category 3 – 111 to 129 mph: Extensive damage
- Category 4 – 130 to 156 mph: Severe damage
- Category 5 – 157+ mph: Catastrophic damage
Fast Facts About Hurricanes
- Florida accounts for 40% of all U.S. hurricane landfalls.
- A major storm can create a 20-foot storm surge and span over 90 miles wide.
- Hurricanes release more than 2.4 trillion gallons of rain per day.
- Warm ocean waters fuel hurricanes—making the Gulf region especially vulnerable.
- Hurricanes can also trigger short-lived tornadoes.
Is Your Insurance Ready for Hurricane Season?
Preparing your home is only half the battle. Understanding your insurance coverage is just as critical.
Here’s what to review:
- Windstorm coverage: Is it included, or do you need a separate policy or deductible?
- Flood insurance: Homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. If you don’t have flood coverage through the NFIP or a private insurer, now is the time to consider it.
- Coverage limits: Are they high enough to cover today’s rebuilding costs?
- Hurricane deductible: This is often a percentage of your home’s insured value, not a fixed amount.
At Omni One Insurance, we believe in preparation over panic. Let’s make sure your coverage truly protects your home, your belongings, and your peace of mind.
Contact us today to schedule a policy review before the next storm hits. We’ll make sure your coverage is up to date and built for your unique risks. Our team is here to help you weather hurricane season with confidence and peace of mind.
For more detailed information and updates during hurricane season, check out these trusted sources:
