Hurricane Preparedness Checklist for Sarasota Homeowners

1. Your insurance (start now)

Do these before a storm is on the map. They're the steps that make a claim easier later.

• Review your home and flood insurance coverage now, while there's still time to make changes.
• Know that flood is separate. Standard homeowners policies typically don't cover flood damage. Flood needs its own policy.
• Don't assume you're outside flood risk. Anywhere it rains, it can flood. Over the past 10 years, about one third of NFIP flood claims came from outside high-risk flood areas.
• Don't wait on flood insurance. New NFIP flood policies typically have a 30-day waiting period before coverage starts.
• Make policy changes early. Property insurers stop accepting new applications and requests to increase coverage once a hurricane nears Florida.
• Find your hurricane deductible. Florida requires it to be shown on your policy as a dollar amount, even when it's based on a percentage.
• Understand when it applies. In Florida, the hurricane deductible applies to a storm the National Hurricane Center has declared a hurricane. The window starts when a hurricane warning is issued for any part of Florida and ends 72 hours after the last hurricane watch or warning for the state ends. That means it can apply to damage at your home even if the storm makes landfall somewhere else in Florida. When the hurricane deductible applies, no other deductible on your policy does. Read our guide to Florida's hurricane deductible.
• Ask about wind mitigation discounts. Florida law requires insurers to give premium discounts or credits for construction features that reduce wind damage. Those features are documented on the state's Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802), completed by an authorized inspector. Call us to see whether your policy reflects the features your home has.
• Do a home inventory. Walk through your home with your phone and take photos and video of the inside and outside, narrating as you go. Include receipts and purchase dates where you have them. A complete inventory makes the claims process easier.
• Write down your important insurance contacts, including your agent and your claims phone number or website.
• Learn the claims basics now: your hurricane deductible, your rights as a policyholder, and the professionals involved in a claim.

Sources: Florida Department of Financial Services; Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate; Florida Statutes 627.4025; Florida Office of Insurance Regulation; Florida House of Representatives staff analysis, CS/HB 507; FEMA; FloodSmart

2. Your supply kit (start now)

The Florida Department of Health recommends supplies for 3 to 7 days. Keep your kit somewhere everyone in the house can reach it.

• Water: at least 1 gallon per person per day
• Non-perishable food like canned goods and protein bars, including food for infants or older family members if needed
• Manual can opener, plates and utensils
• First aid kit
• Prescription medications, including at least a 3-day supply of each person's vital medications
• Toiletries
• Seasonal clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes
• Flashlights with batteries or hand-crank power
• Tools: utility knife, whistle, tape, and pliers or a shut-off wrench for household water and gas
• Thermal blankets
• Pet food and supplies, if you have pets
• Important documents in a dry, waterproof box
• Cash on hand
• Check and update your kit at least once a year, and replace food according to its shelf life.

Sources: Florida Department of Health; Florida Department of Health in Duval County; Florida Department of Financial Services; WUSF Public Media; Sales Tax Institute (Florida Department of Revenue TIP 25A01-05)

3. Know your evacuation level and get local alerts (start now)

Sarasota County orders evacuations by level, so look up yours before a storm, not during one.

• Sarasota County uses evacuation levels A through E. Your evacuation level is not the same as your flood zone.
• Look up your level by address on the Sarasota County website (scgov.net) or at floridadisaster.org/knowyourzone.
• Sign up for Alert Sarasota County at alertsarasotacounty.com. It sends emergency updates by phone, text, email or mobile app, and you register with your home address. County and city alerts can differ, so sign up for where you live.
• Know how shelters work. Shelters open as needed, and openings vary with each emergency. Never go to a shelter until officials announce it's open.
• Planning to shelter with a pet? Sarasota County has dog and cat friendly shelters. Bring current vaccination records, an appropriate crate and everything your pet needs. You're responsible for your pet's care in the shelter.
• If you'll need a special needs shelter, contact the Sarasota County special needs registry ahead of time at 941-861-5000.

Sources: Sarasota County Emergency Services; Sarasota County Evacuation Map and Shelter Information; Alert Sarasota County; Florida Division of Emergency Management

4. When a watch or warning is issued

Knowing what each alert means helps you act at the right time.

• Hurricane watch: hurricane conditions are possible. It's usually issued about 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected.
• Hurricane warning: hurricane conditions are expected. It's usually issued about 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected.
• Storm surge warning: life-threatening storm surge flooding is expected in the area, usually within 36 hours.
• Bring in or tie down loose outdoor items like patio furniture and planters.
• Follow updates from the National Hurricane Center and Sarasota County.
• If officials order your evacuation level to leave, follow the order.

Sources: National Hurricane Center; Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate; Sarasota County Emergency Services

5. Stay safe during and after the storm

The danger doesn't end when the wind stops. Flood water, generators and downed lines all need care.

• Never drive or walk into flood water. Six inches of moving water can knock over an adult, about 12 inches can float a small car, and 18 to 24 inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles, including large SUVs. Turn Around, Don't Drown.
• Stay out of standing flood water. It can hide toxins and chemicals.
• Run generators outside only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, with the exhaust pointed away from your home.
• Never run a generator inside your home, garage or basement. Opening doors or windows does not make it safe.
• Use a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide can't be seen or smelled.
• Never burn charcoal indoors.
• Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them.
• Use flashlights instead of candles.
• If appliances got wet, have a professional or your utility company check them before you use them.
• After flooding, authorities may issue a boil water advisory. Make sure your water is safe before drinking, cooking or cleaning with it.
• Check the county's safety status before heading out. After a storm, Sarasota County uses three colors. Red means unsafe, with extensive damage and emergency services that may not be available. Yellow means use caution and limit travel to essential needs. Green means all clear.

Sources: National Weather Service; CDC; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; Sarasota County Emergency Services

6. If your home is damaged

Document first, protect the house second, then call us.

• Document the damage with photos, video or written notes.
• Make emergency repairs to prevent further damage, and document those repairs too.
• Secure your home against theft and vandalism.
• Report the damage to your agent or insurance company. Call us at (941) 225-2335 and we'll walk you through next steps.
• Provide your home inventory with your claim.
• Keep a log of your conversations with your insurance adjuster.
• If your car was in flood water, don't drive it, even if the damage looks minor, like wet floor mats. Call to file a claim.

When you call us, have your home inventory, damage photos and repair records handy.

Sources: Florida Department of Financial Services; Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate

7. Avoid post-storm scams

Scammers show up fast after a storm. These steps protect your claim and your wallet.

• Verify contractor and adjuster licenses at myfloridalicense.com.
• Ask contractors for proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance. Legitimate contractors must carry insurance.
• Be wary of anyone offering help who wants cash only.
• Don't rush into signing a contract. Public adjusters charge a fee based on a percentage of what you recover from the insurance company.
• Be cautious of anyone urging you to sign over your insurance rights or offering to waive your deductible.
• Verify who is asking, and why, before you share personal or financial information.
• Questions about a claim or contract? Florida's insurance consumer helpline is 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).

Sources: Florida Department of Financial Services; Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate