Every year, Floridians are faced with the frightening reality of hurricane season starting June 1 and lasting through November 30 (and sometimes even later). Weather disasters can take a toll on communities and disrupt the livelihood of residents, businesses and public facilities.

Various organizations like the National Weather Service have made hurricane warning systems incredibly effective. The ubiquity of media and improvements in government coordination enable residents to learn about storms and get to safety prior to hurricanes making landfall on Florida shores.

Injuries and deaths, while still a serious risk, are no longer the most significant impact of hurricanes. Property damage caused by flooding, power outages, broken windows, uprooted trees, leaking or obliterated roofs and much more is now the most significant disruptive impact of hurricanes.

Strong winds combined with rain and storm-surge flooding often lead to widespread devastation that results in billions of dollars’ worth of damages.

The Five Most Common Types of Property Damage Caused by Hurricanes

Wind gusts and storm surge are the primary sources of property damage after a hurricane. Unfortunately, all hurricanes (no matter the category) can inflict property damage to some extent.

1. Roof damage: Even the toughest roofs can suffer traumatic damage after a hurricane. Torn off shingles, sheathing or framing are typically the most common type of hurricane roof damage. In Category 3 or 4 hurricanes, roofs can be completely ripped off — no matter the age or condition of the structure.
2. Interior damage: During a powerful storm, it’s not uncommon for doors and windows to be torn from their hinges or broken by flying debris. When this happens, water, wind and rain whip through the property’s interior — damaging furniture, important documents, electronics and other belongings. These types of water damage claims are often contentious, leading to disputes between homeowners and insurance companies.
3. Structure and foundation damage: Extremely powerful wind gusts can cause a home to shift — leaving cracks in the structure or foundation below. If this type of damage occurs, the home can be marked unsafe and uninhabitable until repairs are completed.
4. Equipment damage: After a hurricane, it’s common for heating and air conditioning units, pool equipment, appliances, generators and more to be damaged. In most cases, water-damaged equipment and electronics will never again operate properly and will require complete replacement.
5. Utility damage: This type of damage can be a major inconvenience — often taking weeks (even months) to repair. Infrastructure like power lines, internet, water systems and vital power grid components are almost always damaged after a hurricane.

What Can You Do to Reduce Hurricane Property Damage?

If you live near the Florida coast, chances are you have experienced a hurricane, or you very well could in the future. This is why protecting yourself, your family and your property against natural disasters is so important.

By acting now and taking preventative steps, you can reduce the damage caused by a severe storm or hurricane.

• Ensure your roof complies with local building codes. (In high wind areas, it’s typically six nails per shingle instead of the average four nails).
• Upgrade to impact-resistant windows and exterior doors or add wind-resistant shutters (hollow metal or solid wood are the best shutter options).
• Strengthen your roof with hurricane straps to protect the roof from damage in winds up to 100 mph (talk with a local contractor about retrofitting your home with straps if you don’t have them already).
• Install heavy-duty hinges and vertical panel bracing to reinforce garage doors.
• Trim large trees surrounding your home to minimize the risk of damage from falling trees or debris.
• Lastly, if a severe storm or hurricane is predicted in your area, board up your property’s windows using plywood and nails to add an extra layer of protection.

What Will You Need to File a Property Damage Insurance Claim?

Most homeowners’ insurance will cover certain types of hurricane property damage, but every policy has limitations. You can most likely expect repairs to be partially or fully covered depending on the extent of your damage, policy exclusions and your hurricane deductible.

Make sure you’re ready with all the necessary documentation before a property adjuster comes to assess the damages.

• You will need an inventory list of damaged personal property.
• If possible, you should have before and after photos and/or videos to back up your claim.
• Consider consulting with roofers or contractors ahead of time so you can begin negotiations with total repair costs and property value estimates.
• Be sure you’re clear on what rights and obligations are included in your policy.

While there’s no avoiding Florida’s ruthless hurricanes and severe storms, you can improve the chances of your properties surviving a hurricane with minimal damage. By understanding the common damages caused by hurricanes and the precautions that might lessen the blow, homeowners can hopefully be prepared for whatever Florida has in store this hurricane season.