Hurricane Prep Checklist for Naples and Collier County Homeowners

Hurricane season prep in Collier County works best when you split it in two: decisions that take months, and tasks for the final days before a storm. Window and door upgrades, insurance reviews, evacuation plans and special-needs registration need calm weather and time. Closing shutters, bringing in furniture and loading the car belong in the last few days. This checklist covers both, for Naples and Collier County homeowners.

What to finish before hurricane season

The Atlantic season runs June 1 to November 30. Start the long-lead items in winter and spring, before a storm is in the forecast and contractors, permit offices and stores get busy.

Know your evacuation zone and plan

Look up your address in the official local tool. The City of Naples notes that hurricane surge evacuation zones (A through E) are not the same as flood zones; see its hurricane preparedness page. Pick an inland destination, a backup destination and an out-of-area contact everyone can call.

Residents who rely on power, oxygen or help with medication or evacuation should review Collier County’s Special Needs Program. Registration is annual and is a backup to your own plan.

Build supplies for at least seven days

The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends seven days of supplies, including one gallon of water per person per day and at least two weeks of regular medications, according to its disaster supply checklist. Include:

• Water and nonperishable food for everyone, including pets
• Medications, medical equipment and first aid
• Flashlights, batteries, chargers and a battery or hand-crank radio
• Cash, a manual can opener, sanitation supplies and sturdy shoes
• Copies of ID, insurance policies and important contacts in a waterproof bag

Photograph each room, your valuables, and the outside of the house, including windows, doors and shutters, before the season starts.

Review insurance and property upgrades

Read your wind, hurricane and flood coverage and deductibles. Most homeowners policies do not cover flood, as the National Flood Insurance Program explains. If you are thinking about impact windows, impact doors or hurricane shutters, start early. Permits, HOA approval, measuring and fabrication all take time.

Preparing the house for wind and rain

Think of the house as one envelope. Windows, doors, roof edges, vents and drainage all affect how wind and water get in. No product makes a home hurricane proof, but you can remove the weak spots.

Check every window and door

Walk around the house and list every window, slider, French door, entry door and lanai opening. For each one, note what protects it and who will close it. Look for:

• Cracked glass, loose frames or windows that will not lock
• Missing or unlabeled shutter panels and fasteners
• Accordion shutters that bind or locks that will not engage
• Roll-downs that stop unevenly or have no working manual crank
• Worn door seals, loose hinges or failed caulk

Tape, film and ordinary screens are not hurricane protection.

Test shutters while help is easy to get

Close every shutter once before the season. Match panels to their labels, make sure accordions slide and lock, and confirm roll-downs travel evenly. Our roll-down maintenance guide for Naples has a full checklist.

Clear drainage and loose objects

Clean gutters, downspouts and yard drains. Have trees trimmed well before a storm. Decide where patio furniture, planters, grills and pool toys will go. FEMA’s hurricane safety sheet says generators must run outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and garages.

When a storm threatens Collier County

The National Weather Service issues a hurricane watch when hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours and a warning when they are expected within 36 hours, according to its watch and warning criteria. Use a countdown so outdoor work is done before winds pick up.

1. Five to seven days out: watch official forecasts, refill prescriptions, fuel cars and charge batteries.
2. Three to five days out: photograph the property, move outdoor items and confirm travel plans for anyone who needs extra time.
3. Two to three days out: close shutters, bring in remaining items and protect documents.
4. At a watch or evacuation order: load the car, call your out-of-area contact and leave early if told to.
5. At a warning: stop outdoor work and get to your safe place.

Never delay evacuation to finish a property task. Close every opening, not just the ones facing the street. Our guide on combining shutters, windows and screens in Naples shows how to cover every opening.

Returning safely and planning for next year

Wait for officials to say it is safe. Stay away from downed lines and floodwater. Photograph damage before cleaning up, keep receipts, and call your insurer. Do not force open a damaged shutter or door; have it checked first.

Then write down what went wrong: supplies that ran short, shutters that were hard to close, routes that flooded. Turn each problem into a task for next spring, such as replacing a vulnerable window, switching to a shutter that is easier to close, or giving a neighbor access to your seasonal home. Our article on affordable hurricane protection options can help you phase upgrades, and we offer financing with approved credit.

Hurricane prep FAQs

When should I upgrade windows or shutters?

In the off-season, ideally winter or early spring, so permits and installation are done before June.

Is my flood zone the same as my evacuation zone?

No. Flood zones are for insurance and building. Evacuation zones tell you when officials may ask you to leave.

Should I tape my windows?

No. Tape does not stop glass from breaking. Use approved impact windows or shutters.

Want to tackle your windows and doors before next season? Call (239) 242-1262 or Request a Free Estimate. See current specials and our Naples service area page.