Is Your Mobile Home Ready for hurricane Season? Living in Florida requires diligent preparation for the annual hurricane season, especially if you reside in a mobile home. These structures are more vulnerable to high winds and heavy rains, making it crucial to take necessary precautions to protect your mobile home and ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones. UnderHome Armor, a leading provider of mobile home protection solutions, has compiled a comprehensive checklist to help you prepare your mobile home for hurricane season in Florida. By following these guidelines, you can mitigate potential damage and increase your mobile home’s resilience during severe weather events.

1. Evaluate the Exterior: The first step in hurricane preparedness is to thoroughly inspect your mobile home’s exterior. Look for any loose or damaged components that could compromise the structural integrity during a storm. Check windows, doors, and skirting panels, ensuring they are properly sealed and fortified. Reinforce weak areas and consider installing hurricane shutters or impact-resistant windows to minimize damage from flying debris. Make sure to have your mobile Homes Hurricane Anchors inspected! Additionally, seal any gaps or cracks where water could enter and cause leaks.
2. Trim Trees and Secure Outdoor Items: Trimming trees and removing weak branches is essential to prevent them from becoming hazards during high winds. Consult a professional if necessary, to ensure proper trimming techniques and removal of any potential threats. Additionally, secure outdoor items like patio furniture, grills, and gardening equipment. These objects can become dangerous projectiles in strong winds, causing damage to your mobile home or nearby structures. Secure them in a shed, garage, or bring them indoors during the hurricane season.
3. Reinforce Roof and Anchoring: The roof is one of the most vulnerable areas during a hurricane. Inspect your mobile home’s roof for any signs of damage or leaks. Repair any loose shingles or damaged sections promptly. Consider using roofing materials specifically designed for hurricane-prone regions, such as impact-resistant shingles. Additionally, ensure that your mobile home is properly anchored to its foundation. Check the tie-downs and straps, and confirm that they are in good condition. Consult a professional to assess the anchoring system’s strength and make any necessary upgrades to meet or exceed the state’s hurricane tie-down requirements.
4. Clear Gutters and Downspouts: Blocked gutters and downspouts can cause water to accumulate on the roof or around the foundation, leading to leaks or flooding. Regularly clean and maintain your gutters, removing any debris that could obstruct water flow. Ensure that downspouts direct water away from the foundation of your mobile home. Consider installing gutter guards to prevent debris from clogging the gutters during severe weather conditions.
5. Reinforce Doors and Windows: During a hurricane, strong winds can exert significant pressure on doors and windows, potentially leading to failure and increased risk of damage. Reinforce entry doors with heavy-duty deadbolts and install sturdy door braces or hurricane panels. For windows, consider installing impact-resistant windows or applying window film that can help strengthen the glass. Reinforce existing windows with shutters or plywood boards securely attached with strong fasteners.
6. Secure Interior Items: Inside your mobile home, take precautions to secure furniture, appliances, and other heavy objects. Anchor large furniture pieces to the wall or floor using brackets or straps. Secure appliances such as refrigerators and water heaters to prevent them from tipping over during high winds. Keep valuable or fragile items stored in secure locations to minimize the risk of damage.
7. Create an Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies to sustain your household during and after a hurricane. Include non-perishable food, drinking water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days), a manual can opener, a first aid kit, prescription medications, batteries, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, personal hygiene items, important documents (identification, insurance policies, medical records), cash, and a cellphone charger. Consider adding additional items like a battery-operated or hand-crank weather radio for updates and a portable generator for power outages.
8. Develop an Evacuation Plan: Familiarize yourself with your local community’s evacuation routes and identify nearby shelters or safe locations. Develop an evacuation plan for your family, including pets, and communicate it with all household members. Plan for transportation and identify multiple evacuation routes in case of road closures or congestion. Establish a meeting point outside the hurricane-affected area and designate a contact person outside the state whom everyone can check in with. Stay informed about weather updates through reliable sources and heed local authorities’ advice and evacuation orders.
9. Review Insurance Coverage: Ensure that your mobile home insurance coverage is up to date and provides adequate protection against hurricane-related damage. Review the policy details, including deductibles, coverage limits, and exclusions. Consider additional coverage options, such as flood insurance, as standard policies may not cover flood damage. Document your belongings by taking photographs or videos, and keep important documents in a safe, waterproof container. Having thorough documentation will streamline the claims process in the event of damage.
10. Stay Informed and Prepared: Throughout the hurricane season, stay informed about weather conditions and updates. Regularly monitor the National Hurricane Center (NHC) or local meteorological agencies for hurricane alerts, watches, and warnings. Sign up for local emergency alerts through text messages or mobile apps to receive timely notifications. Stay prepared by replenishing your emergency kit supplies, testing batteries, and reviewing your evacuation plan regularly.

Conclusion: Preparing your mobile home for hurricane season in Florida is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of your family and minimize potential damage. Following the comprehensive checklist provided by UnderHome Armor, you can fortify your mobile home against high winds, heavy rains, and flying debris. By evaluating the exterior, trimming trees, reinforcing the roof and anchoring, clearing gutters, securing doors and windows, and taking other necessary measures, you can significantly increase your mobile home’s resilience during hurricanes. Remember to create an emergency kit, develop an evacuation plan, review your insurance coverage, and stay informed about weather updates. By prioritizing preparedness, you can navigate hurricane season in Florida with confidence and safeguard your mobile home and loved ones.

Call Florida Anchor and barrier today for a Free consultaion and Inspection of your mobile or manufactured home to make sure your ready for Hurricane season in Florida!