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Checklist: Preparing Your STR for Hurricane Season

July 14, 2025

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When you’re hosting in South Florida, hurricanes aren’t a matter of if, but when. While guests dream of sunshine and sea breezes, owners and managers know the season from June through November brings a very real risk: wind, rain, flooding—and costly disruptions if you’re unprepared.

The good news? A short-term rental that’s hurricane-ready protects more than your property—it protects your bookings, your guests, and your peace of mind. This expert-backed checklist blends local South Florida requirements with FEMA guidance, tech tips, and platform-specific best practices to help STR owners stay one step ahead.

Whether you’re a local operator or managing remotely, this is your go-to guide for hurricane readiness in 2025.

1. Strengthen the Property Against Storm Damage

Exterior & Structural Checklist:

  • Inspect roof, gutters, and downspouts for wear or loose components
  • Trim trees, remove weak limbs, and clear debris near the home
  • Install or check hurricane shutters (accordion, roll-down, or panels)
  • Anchor or store outdoor furniture, grills, and décor
  • Elevate AC units and check for flood-resistant HVAC placement
  • Confirm pool safety: cover, secure furniture, test drains

Interior Precautions:

  • Seal windows and doors (check weather stripping)
  • Elevate electronics and valuables in flood-prone zones
  • Place towels or water blockers at door thresholds before storms
  • Unplug sensitive appliances and install surge protectors

2. Prepare Emergency Supplies & Guest Kits

What Every STR Should Have On-Hand:

  • Battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, and extra batteries
  • NOAA weather radio (manual or battery-operated)
  • Portable power banks (pre-charged)
  • First-aid kit and basic tools (multi-tool, duct tape)
  • Bottled water and shelf-stable food (3+ days’ worth)
  • Copies of emergency instructions (laminated or in digital binder)

Optional (But Recommended):

  • Sandbags for doors/windows in ground-level units
  • Manual can opener and disposable utensils
  • Towels, cleaning wipes, and sanitation supplies
  • Water buckets or filled bathtubs for manual toilet flushing if needed

3. Update Your Emergency Plan & Local Info

Guest-Focused Materials:

  • A printed or digital “Hurricane Readiness One-Pager” with:
    • Evacuation routes by ZIP code
    • Nearest shelters by county (especially for Monroe, Miami-Dade)
    • Emergency contact numbers (county, hospital, utilities)
    • Host or local co-host number
    • What to do if power or water goes out

For Your Team (PMs, Cleaners, Contractors):

  • A local hurricane prep checklist: who secures what, when
  • Assign pre-storm inspections, post-storm walkthroughs
  • Save vendor contacts (roofers, tree removal, electricians)
  • Store shared documents in cloud folders for remote access

4. Use Tech to Stay in Control—Even Remotely

STR-Ready Tools:

  • Smart locks: Remote code changes during evacuations or after damage
  • Outdoor cameras: For post-storm visual checks (never indoor)
  • Smart thermostats: Pre-cool property, monitor post-storm humidity
  • Water sensors: Detect leaks or flooding in real-time
  • Messaging automation tools: Broadcast updates via PMS or apps

Pro Tips:

  • Create hurricane-specific message templates now (e.g., “Storm Approaching” or “Mandatory Evacuation”)
  • Enable guest alerts via Airbnb/Vrbo systems and SMS
  • Consider shared WhatsApp or Signal groups for emergency updates
  • Back up power where possible (small generators or power stations)

5. Insurance & Financial Protections

Policy Essentials:

  • Verify active windstorm/hurricane insurance
  • Ensure flood insurance is in place—even outside FEMA zones
  • Add business interruption coverage if possible
  • Take pre-season property photos and inventory (store in cloud)
  • Understand your deductibles (windstorm often = 2–5% of property value)

Claims Preparation:

  • After a storm, take post-damage photos immediately
  • Save receipts for emergency expenses (e.g., tarping, clean-up)
  • File claims as early as possible—adjuster queues get long
  • Communicate through email/documented channels for record-keeping

6. Know the Platform Rules (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com)

During Hurricane Season:

  • Airbnb & Vrbo treat hurricanes as “foreseeable”—you may not be covered for cancellations unless there’s an official disaster declaration
  • Mandatory evacuations or storm-related power outages typically activate their emergency refund policies
  • Communicate proactively: Airbnb and Vrbo recommend hosts message guests early when storms are expected
  • Booking.com uses “Force Majeure” but only in extreme events—be ready to cancel manually and explain

Best Practice:

Even when not required, offering partial refunds or reschedules for safety concerns builds long-term guest trust.

7. Timing: Your Seasonal Game Plan

May–Early June (Pre-Season):

  • Update insurance, inspect property, refresh emergency kits
  • Send informational message to upcoming summer guests

July–August (Peak Readiness):

  • Track systems in the Atlantic and monitor local alerts
  • Pre-load your guest communication templates
  • Confirm all vendors are on-call and available

48–24 Hours Before Storm:

  • Install shutters, bring in outdoor items, set AC to coolest
  • Begin guest evacuation support (if needed)
  • Send formal guest notifications and refund policy details
  • Turn off utilities if required, secure all interior areas

After the Storm:

  • Conduct a full safety inspection before accepting new guests
  • File any claims, block calendar as needed
  • Update listings to reflect property status or downtime

In South Florida, hurricane prep isn’t just about protecting property—it’s about ensuring continuity, guest safety, and your reputation as a responsible host.

By following this checklist each year, you’ll not only reduce potential damage—you’ll also deliver the kind of peace of mind that travelers and investors alike will remember. In a region where weather is part of the lifestyle, preparedness is the ultimate amenity.

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