Hurricane Season Prep: The Fort Myers Homeowner's Checklist

Hurricane Ian made landfall near Fort Myers Beach on September 28, 2022, as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph sustained winds. The damage across Lee County was catastrophic — over 140 fatalities, tens of thousands of homes destroyed or severely damaged, and a recovery effort that continues today.

I’ve seen firsthand what a prepared home looks like after a storm compared to an unprepared one. The differences are stark, and many of them come down to decisions homeowners made (or didn’t make) years before the storm arrived.

Southwest Florida’s hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Here’s what to do before the season starts — and what to do in the days before a named storm.

Start of Season Checklist (May–June)

1. Inspect and Test Your Shutters

Hurricane shutters — accordion, panel, roll-down, or Bahama style — should be tested before you need them, not during a storm watch.

For accordion shutters: open and close them fully. Look for bent tracks, jammed slats, or missing wing nuts. Lubricate the tracks with silicone spray (not WD-40, which attracts dust).

For panel shutters: locate all panels and hardware. Count them. Make sure you have fasteners and tools. Test-install at least one panel to verify the tracks are still properly mounted.

For roll-down shutters: operate them manually and electrically. Know how to manually operate them if power is out before the storm. Check that they seal fully at the bottom.

No shutters? See the impact windows section below — after Ian, this conversation became urgent for many Fort Myers homeowners.

2. Walk Your Roof — Or Hire Someone Who Will

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense. Have it professionally inspected every few years and after major storms. Look for:

• Missing or lifted shingles — even a small area of exposed decking can lead to catastrophic water intrusion
• Damaged or missing drip edge — the metal edge trim that directs water off the roof
• Soft spots or sagging — indicates deck damage or rot beneath
• Separated flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights

Tile roofs: Check for cracked or displaced tiles. One crack isn’t a failure, but a missing tile is an immediate vulnerability.

Metal roofs: Check fasteners and seams. Metal performs exceptionally well in Florida storms when properly installed.

3. Inspect and Clear Your Gutters

Clogged gutters overflow during heavy rain, driving water into fascia, soffits, and eventually interior walls. Clean them in May before the wet season begins and again in late October after the season peaks.

While you’re at it, check that downspouts direct water away from your foundation. Florida’s sandy soil doesn’t absorb water quickly — if downspouts discharge at the foundation, you’ll get pooling and potential intrusion.

4. Trim Trees Within Striking Distance of Your Home

Lee County’s tropical vegetation grows fast. Branches and fronds that weren’t near your roof last year might be this year. The objective isn’t to strip your yard — it’s to eliminate:

• Dead or dying branches over the roof or close to the house
• Palm fronds that could become projectiles (or that can hold enough weight to crack under pressure)
• Overhanging tree limbs within 10–15 feet of the structure

Caveat: For significant tree work near structures, use a licensed arborist. Improperly cut trees fall in unpredictable directions.

5. Check Your Garage Door

Garage doors are one of the most vulnerable parts of a Florida home during a hurricane. A standard garage door that fails in high winds creates catastrophic internal pressure that can blow off the roof. If your home was built before 2002 and has the original garage door, it likely doesn’t meet current Florida Building Code wind resistance requirements.

Look for a label on the door indicating its design pressure rating. Florida requires garage doors to meet specific wind load standards based on location. If you don’t see a sticker, or the door is old, have it evaluated — a hurricane-rated garage door costs $800–$2,500 installed and can prevent total loss.

6. Know Your Flood Zone

Go to FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) and enter your address. Lee County has extensive flood zone coverage, particularly near canals, the Caloosahatchee River, and coastal areas.

Knowing your flood zone helps you:

• Understand your flood risk
• Determine if you need flood insurance (required for mortgaged homes in high-risk zones)
• Understand where water is likely to come from during a storm surge event

Post-Ian lesson: Many Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, and Cape Coral homeowners who thought they were outside serious surge risk zones discovered otherwise on September 28, 2022.

The Impact Windows Decision

If your home still has single-pane or standard double-pane windows, you’re one of the most-asked-about renovation topics in Lee County right now. Impact-resistant windows (often called hurricane windows) don’t eliminate the risk of breakage, but they are designed to:

• Resist penetration by windborne debris at design-pressure wind speeds
• Maintain their structural integrity even when cracked, preventing catastrophic pressure changes inside the home
• Eliminate the need for shutters on those openings

Cost in Fort Myers (2024–2025 pricing): Expect $700–$1,500 per window installed, depending on size, style, and brand. A typical 3-bedroom Fort Myers home with 15–20 windows might spend $12,000–$25,000.

Insurance discount: Most Florida homeowners insurance carriers offer meaningful discounts for wind mitigation improvements including impact windows. Get a wind mitigation inspection after installation — the discount can pay for the windows over time.

I help Fort Myers homeowners navigate this decision. Contact me if you want a professional opinion on what’s worth doing for your specific home.

Days Before a Named Storm — Action Checklist

When a named storm threatens Southwest Florida, here’s your sequence:

72 hours before projected landfall:

• Fill vehicles with gas — stations run out
• Withdraw cash — ATMs go offline
• Fill prescriptions
• Locate and charge flashlights, power banks, weather radios
• Photograph your home interior and exterior (for insurance)
• Secure or bring in all outdoor furniture, plants, and decorations (these become projectiles)
• Install shutters if you have them

48 hours before:

• Pre-cool home to 70°F, then turn AC off (or to “off” setting)
• Fill bathtubs with water for toilet flushing
• Fill water bottles and containers for drinking
• Clear garage so vehicles fit inside
• Charge all battery-powered tools and devices

24 hours before:

• Know your evacuation zone and route (Lee County Emergency Management: leegov.com/publicsafety/emergencymanagement)
• If in Zone A, B, or C and evacuation ordered: go
• Unplug major appliances except refrigerator
• Keep garage door closed until you leave or the storm passes

After the Storm: Before You Re-Enter

Do not rush back into your home after a hurricane or tropical storm. Wait for:

• Official all-clear from Lee County Emergency Management
• Daylight — debris in the dark causes injuries
• Gas and electrical inspection if you have any structural damage

Before turning anything on:

• Check for gas smell (natural gas or propane) — if present, evacuate and call the gas company
• Check for water intrusion — wet electrical panels and outlets are extremely dangerous
• Look for structural damage before trusting the roof, floors, or walls

What to Document for Your Insurance Claim

Start photographing and documenting before the storm and immediately after:

1. Exterior of home on all sides
2. All rooms interior
3. Contents of significant value
4. Any damage as soon as it’s safe to photograph
5. Receipts for emergency mitigation work (tarping, board-up)

Save your receipts. Every dollar you spend on emergency mitigation is typically reimbursable under your homeowners policy. Keep the damaged materials until your adjuster sees them — don’t throw away the evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most important hurricane prep step for Fort Myers homeowners? Know your flood zone and have a documented evacuation plan. Ian’s surge caught many people off guard who thought their elevation or distance from the coast provided protection. It didn’t.

Should I get impact windows or hurricane shutters? Impact windows are more convenient (nothing to install before a storm) and often more effective. Shutters are less expensive upfront. For most Fort Myers homeowners doing a renovation, I recommend impact windows — the combination of convenience, insurance discount, and resale value makes them worth it.

Do I need flood insurance if I have homeowners insurance? Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage — they’re separate policies. If your mortgage requires it, you likely have it. If not, check. Post-Ian, the cost of not having flood insurance in Lee County has been devastating for many families.

How do I find out my Lee County flood zone? Visit msc.fema.gov and enter your address, or call Lee County Emergency Management at (239) 533-3911.

When should I evacuate vs. shelter in place? If Lee County issues a mandatory evacuation for your zone, leave. The time to debate this is not when a Category 4 storm is 24 hours from landfall. Have your route and destination planned before the season starts.

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Brian Cappucci is a Florida Certified General Contractor (CGC1531080) and Realtor (SL3538466) serving Fort Myers and all of Southwest Florida. He has worked on post-storm restoration projects throughout Lee County following Hurricane Ian. Contact Brian for storm restoration estimates or impact window consultations.