Hurricane Season Prep: How a Storage Unit Can Help

Short answer: A storage unit helps during hurricane season in three ways. It gives patio furniture, grills, kayaks and yard items a secure place so they don't blow around. It frees up your garage so your car can go inside. And it holds your furniture during repairs after a storm. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so move things in before a storm is forecast.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and anybody who's lived in Hernando County a while knows the routine: watch the cone, stock up, tie down, and hope it turns. One thing people forget until the last minute is everything sitting in the yard and the garage.

A storage unit won't stop a storm. But it can make prep faster, keep loose items from becoming projectiles, and give you somewhere to put things during repairs afterward.

Before the season: clear the yard

Anything that isn't tied down can become a missile in high winds. That includes:

• Patio furniture, umbrellas and grills
• Kids' playsets, trampolines and toys
• Kayaks, canoes and fishing gear
• Garden decor, planters and yard tools
• Spare lumber and building materials

If you don't use it every week, consider moving it to a unit in late May. When a storm shows up in the forecast, that's one less job on a very busy list.

Free up the garage

A lot of folks want to park the car inside during a storm but can't because the garage is full. Moving the overflow into a 10x10 gets your vehicle under a roof and your garage usable again.

After a storm: room to work

If you're dealing with roof leaks, water damage, or a contractor tearing out drywall, you'll need somewhere dry to put furniture and belongings while the work happens. A 10x20 holds the contents of most homes, and with drive-up access you can load straight from the truck.

Protect what you store

• Raise everything off the floor on pallets or 2x4s.
• Use plastic bins with lids for anything that would be ruined if it got damp.
• Keep important documents with you, not in storage. Put insurance papers, IDs and photos in a waterproof bag you can grab and go.
• Check your coverage. Ask your homeowner's or renter's insurance whether it covers items in storage, and ask us about the tenant protection plans we offer for your unit.
• Take photos of what you store. It makes any future claim much easier.

Our units are not climate-controlled, so read our prep guide, How to Store Your Stuff in Florida Heat Without Climate Control, before you load.

Plan ahead

When a storm is coming, everyone rushes for trucks, plywood and storage at the same time. Rent early, move what you can in calm weather, and you'll be ahead of the crowd.



Stockpiles Self Storage, 4437 Treiman Blvd, Ridge Manor, FL 33523. Fully gated, fenced, and camera-monitored. Call (352) 770-7130 or rent online 24/7 at stockpilesselfstorage.com.