Florida Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

How to Protect Your Windows and Doors Before the Storm?

Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, and the most active stretch typically falls between mid-August and mid-October. For homeowners, that calendar leaves a clear window to get the house ready. Preparing your home for a hurricane is not something to handle in the 36 hours after a warning is issued. The smarter approach is steady, off-season work that turns your windows and doors into a coordinated line of defense long before any storm forms in the Atlantic.

This hurricane preparedness checklist for windows and doors is for Florida homeowners who want to know exactly what to inspect, when to upgrade, what supplies to keep on hand, and what to check after a storm passes. Use it as a year-round reference.

Windows and doors are the most common failure points in a hurricane. According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, it’s essential that windows, doors, and garage doors be impact-resistant or have a protective covering, such as hurricane-rated shutters or properly secured 5/8-inch plywood, attached to the opening.

The reason is simple physics. When a window or door fails during a storm, wind and rain enter the home and pressurize the interior. That internal pressure, combined with external wind forces, can lift the roof off the structure or push out the walls. The Florida Building Code focuses heavily on opening protection because openings are where catastrophic failures begin.

This is why hurricane windows and impact-resistant doors are the foundation of any modern Florida storm-protection strategy.

Understanding Florida Building Code Requirements

The 8th Edition of the Florida Building Code took effect on Dec. 31, 2023. In wind-borne debris regions, all glazed openings must either be impact-resistant or protected by approved coverings, such as hurricane shutters. A wind-borne debris region includes any area within one mile of the coastal mean high-water line with a design wind speed of 130 mph or higher, or any area where the design wind speed reaches 140 mph or higher.

Miami-Dade and Broward counties fall within the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, which carries the most rigorous standards in the country. Products in these zones must be tested to design pressures corresponding to wind speeds of roughly 170 to 200 mph, and they must carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance or equivalent product approval marked for HVHZ use.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane: A Window and Door Checklist

The following hurricane preparedness list breaks down what to do across three phases. Work through it once per year before June 1, and revisit relevant sections whenever a named storm enters the forecast.

Off-Season: Inspect and Upgrade

This is the most important window in the calendar. Contractors have availability, you have time to make informed decisions, and supply chains are stable.

Inventory Every Opening

Walk through your home and list every window, exterior door, sliding glass door, and garage door. Note which are impact-rated and which are protected only by shutters or plywood. Any opening without protection is a gap in your storm strategy.

Inspect Existing Impact-Resistant Windows

If you already have hurricane windows, check the glass for cracks or cloudiness in the laminated layer. Check the seals and weatherstripping for separation, brittleness, or gaps. Operate every window and door to confirm they open, close, and lock smoothly. A damaged impact window may not perform as designed during a storm.

Evaluate Your Entry Doors and Patio Doors

Front doors, sliding glass doors, and French doors face significant wind pressure. If they’re not impact-rated, they should be at the top of your upgrade list. Hurricane doors and impact-resistant doors are tested to the same standards as hurricane windows and form the second half of a complete opening-protection system.

Reinforce or Replace Your Garage Door

A standard garage door is one of the most common failure points in a hurricane. If your garage door is not hurricane-rated, install a bracing kit or plan to upgrade. Once a garage door fails, the pressure inside the garage can push up on the roof from below.

Check Caulking and Weatherstripping

Worn caulking is the easiest way for water to enter during a storm. Inspect the perimeter of every window and door, both inside and outside, and re-caulk any gaps or cracks.

Apply for the My Safe Florida Home Program

This state program provides free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants of up to $10,000 for eligible homeowners. Approved upgrades include impact-resistant windows, hurricane shutters, and reinforced garage doors.

Schedule a Wind Mitigation Inspection

A current inspection report can lower your homeowners’ insurance premium, sometimes significantly, if you have impact-rated openings or other approved upgrades.

When a Storm Is in the Forecast: 36 to 72 Hours Out

If a storm is heading your way, you still have time to get your home as prepared as possible.

Confirm All Impact Windows and Doors Are Locked

A hurricane window only performs as designed when locked into its frame.

Deploy Shutters or Install Pre-Cut Plywood

If you rely on shutters, deploy them before tropical storm-force winds arrive. If you use 5/8-inch plywood as a temporary measure, the panels should be pre-cut, labeled by opening, and attached with proper anchors.

Bring In or Secure All Loose Outdoor Items

Patio furniture, planters, grills, trash cans, kids’ toys, and pool equipment can all become projectiles in high winds. Anything you cannot bring inside should be tied down.

Trim Trees and Remove Dead Branches

This is best done during the off-season, but should be checked again before any approaching storm.

Top Off Supplies

Florida emergency management recommends keeping at least seven days of supplies on hand, more than the national three-day minimum, because Florida storms can knock out power and access for extended periods.

Photograph Your Home

Take date-stamped photos and video of every room and the exterior of your house. This documentation is invaluable if you later need to file an insurance claim.

During the Storm: Stay Away from Glass

The Florida Department of Health is direct on this point. Stay away from windows, glass doors, and skylights. Even impact-resistant glass can crack on the inner pane after a heavy debris strike, and the safest place during the height of the storm is a small, windowless interior room on the lowest level of your home.

Close and brace all interior doors. Research from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety has shown that closing interior bedroom doors helps balance internal pressure and can reduce roof damage if an exterior opening fails.

After the Storm: Inspect Before You Trust

Once it is safe to move around your home, inspect every window and door before assuming the structure is intact. Look for cracked or shattered glass, damaged frames, separated weatherstripping, water intrusion at sills, and bent or warped door frames. Photograph any damage before you clean up. If a window or door has visibly failed, cover the opening with plywood or a tarp and contact a licensed installer for emergency board-up or window replacement.

Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours after water intrusion, so address any moisture quickly. If you suspect frame or structural damage that is not visible from the outside, schedule a professional inspection.

A Hurricane Supply Kit for Your Home

The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends a seven-day supply kit. The basics include:

• One gallon of water per person per day for seven days, for both drinking and sanitation
• Seven days of non-perishable food per person, including a manual can opener
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA weather radio
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First-aid kit and any prescription medications
• Sanitation supplies, including hand sanitizer, wipes, and trash bags
• Cash, since ATMs and card readers may not work without power
• Phone chargers and a backup battery pack
• Important documents (insurance policies, IDs, deeds) in a waterproof container
• Pet food, water, and supplies, if applicable

Florida residents can buy many hurricane essentials tax-free, including batteries, generators under 10,000 watts, and tarps. Stock your kit before the season starts, when shelves are full, and prices are normal.

Printable Hurricane Checklist for Windows and Doors

Save this section, print it, or take a photo on your phone. Run through the items on each list at the appropriate time.

Off-Season (Complete Before June 1)

• Inventory every window, door, and garage door
• Identify which openings are impact-rated and which need protection
• Inspect existing impact windows for cracks, seal damage, or operation issues
• Inspect entry doors, patio doors, and sliding doors for damage and proper locking
• Check garage door for hurricane rating; install bracing kit if needed
• Re-caulk all windows and doors perimeters where seals have failed
• Replace worn weatherstripping
• Trim trees and remove dead branches near the house
• Apply for the My Safe Florida Home program if eligible
• Schedule a wind mitigation inspection for insurance discounts
• Get quotes for upgrading to impact-resistant windows and doors

When a Storm Is Forecast (36 to 72 Hours Out)

• Lock all impact windows and impact-resistant doors
• Bring in or tie down all outdoor furniture and loose items
• Deploy hurricane shutters or install pre-cut plywood
• Top off seven-day supply kit (water, food, batteries, medications)
• Charge all phones, tablets, and backup battery packs
• Fill vehicle gas tanks
• Withdraw cash
• Photograph or video the entire home, inside and out
• Move important documents into a waterproof container
• Confirm evacuation route if you live in a surge zone

During the Storm

• Stay away from windows, glass doors, and skylights
• Shelter in a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor
• Close and brace all interior doors
• Monitor NOAA weather radio for updates

After the Storm

• Inspect every window and door for visible damage
• Photograph any damage before cleanup
• Check interior walls and ceilings for water intrusion
• Cover any failed openings with plywood or tarp
• Address moisture within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold
• Contact a licensed installer for emergency repairs or replacements
• File an insurance claim with documentation

The Takeaway

The most effective hurricane preparedness strategy is one you complete months before the first storm forms. Inspect your openings, upgrade what needs upgrading, and keep your supply kit ready. When the forecasts start to look ominous, you will already be in good shape.

Protect Your Florida Home Before Hurricane Season

If your windows and doors are not currently impact-rated, the off-season is the right time to address it. NewSouth Window Solutions builds hurricane-impact-rated windows and doors specifically for the Florida climate, with factory-direct pricing and a lifetime warranty on both products and installation. 

Schedule your free consultation or visit a NewSouth showroom to see our options in person. Florida homeowners have trusted NewSouth since 2010 for factory-direct, code-approved hurricane protection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing Your Home for a Hurricane

What is the biggest mistake homeowners make when preparing windows for a hurricane?

Waiting until a storm is already in the forecast. By the time a hurricane watch is issued, contractors are booked, plywood is sold out at most home improvement stores, and shutters take hours to deploy under stressful conditions. The homeowners who fare best are those who treat hurricane preparedness as a year-round process and complete major upgrades, such as impact-resistant windows and doors, during the off-season.

How can I tell if my current windows meet Florida hurricane codes?

Look for a permanent etching or label on the glass or frame that lists the manufacturer, the testing standard (such as TAS 201/202/203 for HVHZ products), and a Florida Product Approval number or Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance number. If you cannot find these markings, your windows likely predate current code requirements. A licensed window installer can perform an assessment, and your county building department maintains permit records that can confirm what was originally installed.

What should I check on my windows and doors after a hurricane passes?

Start with the glass itself, looking for cracks, cloudiness in the laminated interlayer, or chips along the edges. Then inspect the frames for warping, separation from the wall, or visible water intrusion at the sill. Operate every window and door to confirm they still open, close, and lock properly. Check the perimeter caulking for gaps. Finally, look at the interior walls and ceilings near each opening for water staining, which can signal a hidden leak that needs immediate attention.