Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June 1 through November 30. The work that protects your home most happens months before a storm has a name: paperwork, insurance, the roof and a plan. Use this checklist each spring, and share it with family and neighbors.

Before the season: do it once, update every spring

1. Photograph and video every room. Open closets and drawers. Store the files in the cloud with copies of your deed, insurance policies and IDs.
2. Know your elevation and flood zone. Look up your address with our free Flood Zone tool and keep your elevation certificate with your records.
3. Trim trees and clear gutters. Remove dead limbs near the roof and lines, and make sure water can drain away from the foundation.
4. Plan your openings. Measure and label shutters or plywood for every window and door so they go up fast.
5. Set up a generator safely. Run portable generators outdoors only, far from doors, windows and vents. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open. Install battery carbon monoxide alarms.
6. Make a family plan. Agree on an evacuation route, a meeting place, an out-of-state contact, and a plan for pets and medications. The state’s official preparedness site is getagameplan.org.

Fortified roofs and the state grant

A roof built to the FORTIFIED Roof standard uses sealed roof decks, stronger attachment and better edges to resist wind and water. In Louisiana it can also lower your premium: state law requires insurers to offer discounts or rate reductions for qualifying fortified homes.

Insurance check-up (do this in the spring)

• Read your declarations page. Confirm your dwelling coverage would rebuild today, and know your hurricane or named-storm deductible, which is often a percentage of dwelling coverage.
• Flood is separate. Homeowners policies exclude flood. A new NFIP flood policy generally takes 30 days to start, so buy it long before a storm forms.
• Ask about discounts. Fortified roofs, shutters and other mitigation can lower premiums. Ask your agent what documentation they need.
• Save your agent’s and insurer’s claim numbers in your phone and on paper.

When a storm is in the Gulf

• Follow your parish emergency office and the National Hurricane Center; leave when told to evacuate.
• Put up shutters or plywood, bring in outdoor furniture and anything that can blow away.
• Fill prescriptions, gas up vehicles, get cash and charge every battery.
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings; freeze water jugs.
• Move valuables and documents off the floor and away from windows.

After the storm

1. Stay safe first. Avoid downed lines and standing water. Do not run a generator indoors.
2. Document before you clean. Photograph and video all damage, inside and out, before making repairs.
3. Prevent more damage. Make temporary repairs such as tarping and keep every receipt.
4. File promptly. Report claims to your homeowners and flood insurers separately, and keep a log of every call.
5. Vet contractors. Check licenses and references, get written estimates, and never pay the full amount up front.

Frequently asked questions

Free to share. Lenders, insurance agents, relocation offices, bloggers and community groups are welcome to link to this guide: melrosegrouprealty.com/hurricane-ready-home-louisiana/. Last reviewed October 2026.