Hurricane season certainly seems to be getting more interesting with every passing year.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was especially active and unpleasant for those of us living in the paths of the strongest wind and rain. It was also a destructive season. With over $220 billion in damages recorded, it was the second costliest hurricane season on record. There were also more than 400 deaths attributed to the hurricane season.
While it once seemed like mainly a concern for coastal communities, we have learned over the last few years that hurricanes and even tropical storms can maintain shocking strength as they make their way across the state. Some of the strongest impacts have been felt in communities like Orlando, and coastal cities along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts have also seen serious destruction just this last year with storms like Helene and Milton wreaking havoc.
If you don’t have a good property management partner in place, your central Florida rental property could be at greater risk during these unpredictable weather systems.
Hurricane season runs from July 1 to November 30. Let’s talk about the best ways to protect your investment property.
How Property Management Protects Your Investment
Engaging a professional property management team is one of the best ways to mitigate hurricane risks to your investment properties, especially those rental homes in central Florida. Here’s how property management professionals can help prepare and protect your investment during hurricane season.
- Proactive Maintenance and Repairs
Property managers focus on preventative maintenance to ensure your property is resistant to potential hurricane damage. From reinforcing roofs and sealing windows to ensuring drainage systems are clean and functional, they help prepare your property to weather the storm. If your management company recommends upgrading the windows in your rental home, it’s probably because those hurricanes are getting stronger. If we recommend trimming back the trees in October every year, it’s because we know that preparing ahead of time is better than rushing to catch up when the storm is bearing down.
- Detailed Emergency Planning
Do you have an emergency plan in place for hurricanes? An evacuation route that you’ve shared with tenants? If your answer is no, then you absolutely need the support of a property manager. A robust emergency preparedness plan is crucial for minimizing risk at your properties. Property managers create and implement hurricane-specific strategies, including evacuation procedures for tenants, securing key areas of the property, and identifying emergency contacts for immediate support. We are not new to this, and we can help any out-of-state owners and investors who might be unfamiliar with hurricane prep.
- Tenant Communication
Clear and timely communication with tenants is vital ahead of hurricanes. Property managers provide your tenants with updates, safety instructions, and guidelines for securing personal belongings and preparing for storms. This communication creates trust between you, the tenants, and the management team. There can be a lot of chaos during the worst storms, and a lot of uncertainty leading up to them. A responsive and proactive communication plan will make everything a lot easier.
- Insurance Support and Damage Documentation
Navigating insurance claims after a hurricane can be complex. Property management professionals assist with verifying that your property insurance policies are up to date and cover hurricane-related damages. After a storm, they help document damage, collect estimates, and coordinate with insurance providers for a smoother claims process.
An especially good property management partner can also provide you with extra resources around insurance. Finding coverage is becoming more and more difficult as insurers in Florida face rising claims costs and higher losses every year. You’ll have to know how to adequately protect your property with the right coverage. We can provide referrals to insurance agents and talk about the necessary policies that property owners will need. We can also help with any claims that are made through government agencies, such as FEMA.
Support During the Storm
Most important to your property management relationship during storm season is that you have someone local who can get over to the property as soon as it is safe to do so and assess any potential damage. When storms hit, property managers act as your immediate source of help. We regularly inspect the property for immediate safety threats and coordinate emergency services if repairs are needed quickly.
Once the storm clears, the real work begins. Property management teams swiftly assess your property for damage, secure necessary repairs, and ensure the property is restored to a livable condition. Our quick action reduces downtime and ensures tenant satisfaction.
Hurricanes can be a stressful time for everyone. When you have an experienced property manager who has been through these storms before taking care of every detail, you have the peace of mind that you need to get through it with your property intact.
Why Hurricane Preparedness is a Competitive Advantage
Investing in a professional property management partnership is especially valuable when we’re talking about hurricane preparedness. This relationship does more than protect your property—it gives you a competitive edge in central Florida’s fast-moving real estate market. Properties that are well-prepared for storms experience fewer interruptions in rental income, maintain higher tenant retention, and enjoy a reputation for reliability and safety.
High winds, heavy rains, and potential flooding are all part of hurricane season in central Florida. These tropical storms threaten homes and apartment complexes, leaving a lot of properties vulnerable. As the storms get stronger and more frequent, it’s important to be prepared. Otherwise, these natural disasters can result in costly repairs, long-term vacancies, and even depreciation of your property’s value.
For real estate investors, taking clear and intentional steps to safeguard your properties is essential—not just to protect your physical investment but also to preserve tenant relationships and long-term returns.
Let’s talk about how we can protect your property. Please contact our team at Park Avenue Property Management. We work in Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, Kissimmee, Celebration, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, West Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, and throughout central Florida.
