General information, not legal, engineering or insurance advice.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. Storms can form outside those dates, and the time between a forecast and landfall can be short, so the best preparation happens early. Coastal Mobile and Baldwin counties face the most direct hurricane risk, but tropical systems can bring damaging wind, tornadoes and flooding far inland. This checklist focuses on your roof, windows and doors, plus the basics every household needs.
Before the season (spring)
Roof
- From the ground or with binoculars, look for missing, lifted or curling shingles, damaged flashing and loose gutters.
- Check the attic after a heavy rain for stains or drips.
- If the roof is near the end of its life, plan the replacement before storm season and ask about wind-resistant and FORTIFIED Roof upgrades.
Windows, doors and shutters
- Storm panels: count them, check each one is labeled for its opening, and make sure all hardware is present. Do a practice install on at least one large opening.
- Accordion and roll-down shutters: open and close every shutter, clean the tracks and test locks, motors and the manual override.
- Impact windows and doors: check that latches and locks work, weatherstripping is intact, and weep holes aren't blocked.
- Garage door: find out whether it is wind-rated. If you have a bracing kit, make sure you know how to install it.
- Upgrades: if you plan to add protection, start now. Contractors get busier once a storm threatens.
Paperwork and insurance
- Review your policy: know your wind or hurricane deductible and what's covered. If you have a FORTIFIED designation, confirm your discount is applied.
- Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood damage. NFIP flood policies generally take 30 days to take effect, so don't wait for a storm (source: FloodSmart, FEMA).
- Photograph or video every room and the exterior for an insurance inventory, and store copies online.
- Gather contracts, warranties, product documentation and any FORTIFIED certificate in one place.
Household plan
- Find your county emergency management agency through the Alabama EMA county contacts and learn your evacuation zone and routes if you live near the coast.
- Build a supply kit and family plan using Ready.gov and Alabama EMA guidance: water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, a first-aid kit, chargers and cash.
- Plan for pets, and for anyone who needs medical equipment or extra help.
- Trim trees and remove dead branches near the house.
When a storm is forecast
- Follow official forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and your local National Weather Service office, and instructions from local officials.
- Put up panels and close shutters early. Don't wait for the wind; installing panels on a ladder in gusts is dangerous.
- Protect every opening, including sliding glass doors. Taping windows does not prevent breakage.
- Bring in or secure outdoor furniture, grills, planters and anything that could become debris.
- Fill vehicles with fuel, charge devices and refill prescriptions.
- If you're told to evacuate, go.
After the storm
- Stay off the roads until officials say they're clear, and avoid downed power lines and floodwater.
- Generators: never run them indoors, in a garage, or near windows and doors. The CDC advises keeping generators outside and at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents (source: CDC).
- Photograph damage before cleanup, make temporary repairs (such as tarping a roof) to prevent further damage, and keep receipts.
- Remove panels once the threat has passed so you have an exit in case of fire.
- Beware of storm chasers. Verify any contractor's license with the Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors or the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board before paying a deposit, and never pay in full upfront. See hiring a licensed contractor.
End of season
- Clean and store panels and hardware, labeled, in a dry place.
- Note anything that was hard to install or missing so you can fix it before next June.
- Consider whether a stronger roof or full-time opening protection would make next season easier. See impact windows vs. storm shutters.