Hurricane Season Checklist for Naples Seasonal Homes

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and for owners of seasonal homes in Naples it overlaps with the months when many people are back north. That puts your home in a difficult position: a storm can arrive when you are hundreds of miles away and cannot secure the house or inspect it afterward. A plan made in advance, with someone local who knows the plan, makes a large difference.

This checklist is organized in three stages: before the season starts, when a storm is approaching, and after it passes. It is general guidance, not an official emergency instruction. Always follow Collier County and National Weather Service guidance during an actual storm, and do not ask anyone to put themselves at risk to protect your property.

Before the season: get your house and paperwork ready

The best time to prepare is long before a storm is in the forecast. Start with the house itself and with your documents.

• Review your homeowners, flood and wind coverage with your agent, including deductibles. Flood insurance is a separate policy and typically has a waiting period.
• Photograph or video every room and the exterior and store the files somewhere you can reach from anywhere.
• Confirm that shutters, panels or impact windows work and that you know where hardware is stored.
• Have trees and large branches trimmed by a qualified professional well before a storm threatens.
• Make sure gutters, drains and the lanai screens are in good condition.
• Write down instructions for your caretaker: shutoff locations, alarm codes, what you want done with outdoor furniture, and who can authorize repairs.
• Share contact details with your neighbors, your HOA and your home watch provider.

Agree on a storm plan with your provider

Ask your home watch provider what they will and will not do before and after a storm. Typical tasks might include putting up shutters if you have asked them to, bringing in loose outdoor furniture, adjusting the thermostat or shutoffs according to your instructions, and visiting after the storm to document conditions.

Settle in advance whether those visits are included in your plan or billed separately, and who can authorize them. A provider should never be asked to work in unsafe conditions. Many will only visit after local officials say it is safe to travel. Having this conversation in May is much easier than having it when a storm is two days out.

When a storm is approaching

When a storm is forecast to affect Naples, owners who are away rely on their caretaker and on early decisions. Check the National Hurricane Center and Collier County emergency management for updates and follow official instructions.

• Confirm with your provider what will be done, and in what order, if conditions allow.
• Decide whether to shut off the main water supply and electrical circuits based on your insurer's guidance and your own comfort level.
• Raise valuables and important documents above floor level, or move them out of the home if you are present.
• Secure or remove outdoor items such as furniture, grills, planters and decorations.
• Fill vehicles with fuel if you are in town and plan to evacuate.
• Photograph the home once it is secured so you have a record of its pre-storm condition.

After the storm: check conditions safely

After a storm, no one should enter a home until officials say it is safe. Downed power lines, flooded streets and damaged structures are real hazards. A home watch provider can visit when conditions allow to look for roof or window damage, water intrusion, fallen trees, power loss and AC problems, and then send you photos.

What you learn from that visit determines your next steps. If there is damage, take photographs before anything is moved, contact your insurance company promptly and ask what documentation they require. If there is standing water or active leaking, a restoration company may be needed quickly to prevent mold. Our guide to humidity and AC settings explains why moisture needs attention quickly in Southwest Florida.

Power outages and food

A long power outage in an empty home can mean spoiled food in the refrigerator and freezer, a warm house and rising humidity. If you will be away during hurricane season, consider emptying the refrigerator and freezer before you leave, or at least removing perishables. Ask your provider to check the appliances after any extended outage.

Humidity can climb fast when the AC stops. Mold can begin to grow within days in a warm, damp home, which is why a prompt post-storm visit matters even when there is no obvious damage.

What home watch can and cannot do

A home watch provider can follow your instructions, check conditions, document damage and help coordinate repairs with your approval. They are not able to guarantee that your home will be undamaged, and they are not emergency responders. They should be insured for the work they do, and they should be told clearly in advance what you are asking them to do.

Home watch does not replace insurance, a licensed contractor or emergency services. It gives you eyes on the property and a faster start on the recovery process.

Documents and records to keep ready

After a storm, documentation moves claims along. Keep digital copies of your insurance policies, the declarations pages, the contact numbers for your agent and claims line, and a current inventory of valuable items. Store these in a cloud folder you can reach from anywhere, and share it with a trusted family member.

Keep photographs or video of the interior and exterior, taken in good condition before the season starts. Record the serial numbers of major appliances, and keep receipts for improvements such as a new roof, impact windows or shutters, since some of these can affect your premiums.

Communication when you are away

When a storm threatens, cell service and power may be unreliable. Agree in advance on how your provider will reach you, which numbers to use and what happens if they cannot. A short text message with a status update is easier to send during an outage than a long email. Give your provider the name of a second contact, such as a family member or a neighbor, in case you cannot be reached.

Also tell your HOA or building manager who is authorized to enter the home and who to call about damage. Condo associations often have their own storm procedures, and they may need to enter units for safety reasons.

Common mistakes to avoid

Several mistakes show up again and again. Owners wait until a storm is named to make a plan, when shutters, plywood and contractors are already scarce. They leave outdoor furniture in place, where it becomes a projectile. They forget that flood insurance has a waiting period. They assume the provider will take risks to protect the home. Or they fail to leave written instructions, so no one knows who may authorize repairs.

A short, written plan made in the spring avoids most of these. Review it each year, because contacts, equipment and insurance details change.

Frequently asked questions

When is hurricane season in Southwest Florida?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with the most active period typically from August through October.

Will a home watch provider put up my shutters?

Some do, if you agree in advance and conditions are safe. Ask your provider and confirm whether it is included or billed separately.

Should I turn off the water and power before a storm?

It depends on your home, your insurer and your comfort level. Ask your insurance agent and write your instructions down for your caretaker.

How soon after a storm should the house be checked?

As soon as officials say it is safe to travel. Early checks catch water intrusion and AC failures before mold can develop.

Related reading

• Hurricane prep and post-storm checks service
• AC, humidity and mold checks
• Leaving your Naples home for the summer

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Information here is general and is not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Serving Naples and Collier County, Florida. Calls may be recorded.