Hurricane season in Florida runs June through November, and here in Valrico, we're right in the path of potential impact. I've lived here long enough to know that waiting until a storm is two days away isn't preparation—it's panic. The homeowners I know who sleep well during storm season are the ones who tackle their prep list now, while the weather's clear and stores aren't picked clean.

I'm going to walk you through exactly what you need to do. Not the overwhelming general advice you'll find online, but the specific steps that matter for living here in Valrico and Brandon.

1. Know Your Flood Zone and Get That Information in Writing

The first thing you need to do is know whether your Valrico home sits in a flood zone. This isn't optional—your mortgage lender required flood insurance if you're in a high-risk area, and you need to understand your actual risk level.

Head to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's website or FEMA's flood map tool and look up your address. You'll find out if you're in Zone A (highest risk), Zone X (moderate to low), or elsewhere. Write this down. Seriously. Put it in your phone notes, print it out, put it on the fridge.

If you're in a flood zone, you already know about flood insurance. If you're not, don't assume you're safe—Valrico experiences localized flooding during heavy rain events, and climate patterns are changing. Talk to your insurance agent about whether additional coverage makes sense for your property.

My recommendation: Call your agent this week, not in September.

2. Trim Trees and Secure Outdoor Items NOW

High winds don't wait for you to get ready. Any branches hanging over your roof, fence, or driveway are accidents waiting to happen. Any outdoor furniture, grills, potted plants, or yard equipment becomes a projectile in a hurricane.

Walk around your property on a calm day and take photos of anything that could be a problem. Dead branches, loose gutters, unsecured patio furniture—get it handled. If you're not comfortable with a chainsaw or climbing a ladder, hire someone. It costs less now than fixing a damaged roof later.

For your dad or anyone else on your property who might need help during a storm, make sure heavy items are either stored inside or secured. Loose lawn equipment can injure someone during high winds.

3. Stock Your Supplies and Actually Write Them Down

Everyone knows they should have supplies, but most people don't actually have them. Let's fix that right now.

Get these items and keep them together in one spot—a closet, garage, or storage area:

• One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days (you'll want seven days, honestly)
• Non-perishable food that doesn't require cooking or much water
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (at least a two-week supply)
• Important documents in a waterproof container
• Cash (ATMs don't work during outages)
• Chargers or backup power banks for phones
• Fuel for your generator if you have one

Make a checklist on your phone and actually check things off as you buy them. Put a reminder in your calendar for May 1st and November 1st to check expiration dates on food and water, and refresh anything that's old.

4. Have a Working Generator and Know How to Use It

Power outages in Valrico after a hurricane can last days or weeks depending on storm severity. A generator isn't a luxury—it's the difference between having power to your refrigerator, fans, and phone chargers or losing everything and sitting in the heat.

If you have a generator, test it now while you have time. Run it, make sure it starts, understand the fuel requirements. If you don't have one, look at your options. A portable 5,000-7,000 watt generator covers most household needs and runs roughly $400-700. Don't buy the cheapest option you find; go with a reliable brand.

Important: Never run a generator indoors or in your garage. Carbon monoxide kills. Keep it outside, at least 20 feet from windows and doors.

5. Secure Important Documents and Create a Digital Backup

Your mortgage paperwork, property deed, insurance policies, medical records, and financial information need to be in a waterproof, fireproof safe or stored digitally. If you have a safe, keep it somewhere that won't be affected by flooding (not your basement or lowest level).

Better yet, photograph or scan important documents and store them in a secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. During and after a hurricane, digital access might be easier than physically retrieving files.

6. Review and Update Your Insurance Coverage

Call your homeowner's insurance agent and have an actual conversation about your coverage. Ask specifically:

• Is your home insured for replacement cost or actual cash value?
• What's your deductible?
• Are you covered for wind damage, water damage, and flooding?
• Do you need separate flood insurance?

Underinsurance is a real problem here. After a major hurricane, the last thing you want is to discover your coverage falls short. Better to pay slightly higher premiums now than face that situation later.

7. Make a Communication Plan and Share It

If a major hurricane hits, you might get separated from family or friends. Establish an out-of-area contact—someone not in Florida who everyone can call or text to check in. Local networks often get overloaded, but long-distance connections sometimes work better.

Write down this contact's phone number and give it to anyone who needs it. Program it in your phone now, not during a storm when you're stressed.

How Should You Prepare Your Yard?

Trim branches that overhang your roof or power lines. Remove or secure anything loose—patio furniture, potted plants, grills, yard decorations. If you have a pool, don't drain it (floodwaters need somewhere to go), but do secure the pump and any equipment. Clear gutters and downspouts of debris so water flows properly.

What Should You Keep in Your Car?

Keep a small emergency kit in your vehicle: bottled water, non-perishable snacks, a first aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, jumper cables, and a phone charger. If you need to evacuate quickly, you'll be glad you have these items ready.

Should You Evacuate or Stay?

Listen to Hillsborough County officials and emergency management. If your area is under an evacuation order, leave. Don't gamble. If you're not ordered to evacuate but feel unsafe, you can choose to leave. Plan ahead for where you'd go—a hotel, friend's house, or evacuation shelter. Don't wait until the last minute to figure this out.

How Do I Know if My Home Will Flood?

Check FEMA's flood maps for your address, talk to your neighbors about their experiences with flooding, and look at historical flood data for your specific area. Valrico has several low-lying areas that flood during heavy rain. If you're near a creek, canal, or retention pond, your risk is higher.

When Should I Start Preparing?

Now. Really. Don't wait until August. Start in June or July when supplies are in stock and you're not rushed. By August and September, stores run out of water, generators, batteries, and plywood. Start now.

Bottom Line

Hurricane prep isn't complicated, but it requires action. The difference between being ready and being caught off guard comes down to whether you actually do these steps or just think about doing them. Go through this list this week. Check things off. Your peace of mind during storm season depends on it.