10 Things Every Citrus County Homeowner Should Check Before Hurricane Season
By Andrew Napier, Certified Professional Inspector HI14461 | Brinkman Home Inspections, Inc.
Living in Citrus County, Florida is a privilege. The natural beauty, the springs, the tight-knit communities — there’s truly no place like it. But if you’ve lived here for any length of time, you already know that with Florida paradise comes Florida hurricane season. Every year from June 1st through November 30th, we hold our breath a little and hope for the best.
But hope isn’t a strategy. Preparation is.
As a Certified Professional Inspector through InterNACHI with over 35 years of experience inspecting homes right here in Citrus County and the surrounding areas, I’ve seen firsthand what hurricanes and tropical storms can do to homes that weren’t ready — and I’ve seen how well-prepared homes come through storms with minimal damage. The difference almost always comes down to what was done before the storm ever formed in the Gulf.
So whether you’ve lived in your home for 30 years or just closed last month, here are the 10 most important things you should check right now before hurricane season gets into full swing.
1. Inspect Your Roof — It’s Your First Line of Defense
Your roof takes the brunt of everything a hurricane throws at it, so this is where I always start. Walk around your home and look for obvious signs of trouble: missing or lifted shingles, damaged flashing around chimneys and vents, sagging areas, or granules accumulating in your gutters. If you notice any of these, get them addressed now — not when a storm is 48 hours away.
If your roof is more than 15 years old, a professional roof inspection or roof certification is a smart investment. Not only will it tell you exactly where things stand, but many insurance companies require a roof certification for homes with aging roofs before they’ll renew your policy. At Brinkman Home Inspections, we offer roof certifications as part of our inspection services.
Pro Tip: Clean your gutters and downspouts while you’re at it. Clogged gutters during a heavy storm can cause water to back up under your roofline and cause serious interior damage.
2. Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection — It Could Save You Hundreds
This one surprises a lot of homeowners. A Wind Mitigation Report is an inspection that documents the wind-resistant features of your home — things like your roof shape, roof covering, roof deck attachment, and how your roof is connected to the walls. Insurance companies use this report to determine how resistant your home is to wind damage.
Here’s the part most people don’t know: a Wind Mitigation Report can significantly reduce your homeowners insurance premium. I’ve seen Florida homeowners save anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars per year just from having this inspection done. The report is good for five years, and the inspection itself is very affordable.
If you’ve never had one done, or if it’s been more than five years since your last one, call us. It’s one of the best returns on investment a Citrus County homeowner can make.
3. Check Your Windows and Doors for Gaps and Damage
Windows and doors are common failure points during hurricanes. Walk around your home and inspect every window and exterior door for cracked or broken glass, gaps in the frame, damaged weatherstripping, and difficulty opening or closing. Even small gaps can allow wind-driven rain to enter your home during a storm, causing water damage that’s far more expensive to repair than fixing the gap would have been.
If you have impact-resistant windows or doors, inspect them for chips or cracks in the glass — damaged impact windows may not perform as designed when it matters most.
4. Reinforce Your Garage Door
If there’s one thing that consistently surprises homeowners during post-hurricane inspections, it’s how often the garage door is the point of failure. A standard garage door is not designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. When a garage door fails, the resulting pressure change inside the home can cause catastrophic structural damage — sometimes taking the roof off entirely.
Check your garage door for dents, warping, or gaps at the bottom. If your door isn’t rated for hurricane winds, look into a wind-rated replacement or a temporary bracing kit. Many are available at local hardware stores for under $100 and can make a significant difference.
5. Schedule a 4-Point Inspection — Know Where You Stand
A 4-Point Inspection is required by most insurance companies for homes that are 30 years old or older in Florida, but even if yours isn’t required, it’s a valuable tool for any homeowner heading into hurricane season. This inspection covers the four systems that insurers care most about: your Roof, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC.
Knowing the condition of these four systems before a storm hits gives you the information you need to make smart decisions — whether that’s repairing an aging electrical panel, replacing old plumbing, or simply having documentation for your insurance company.
At Brinkman Home Inspections, we offer 4-Point Inspections starting at $100, and a combo 4-Point and Wind Mitigation package for just $175 — making it easy and affordable to check both boxes at once.
6. Trim Trees and Secure Outdoor Items
Take a walk around your property and look up. Overhanging branches, especially large or dead ones, are one of the most common sources of roof and vehicle damage during storms. Have any hazardous limbs trimmed by a qualified tree service before storm season peaks.
Also take stock of everything in your yard — patio furniture, grills, planters, decorations, toys, and tools. During a hurricane, anything that isn’t secured or brought inside becomes a projectile. Have a plan for where everything goes and how quickly you can get it inside or tied down.
7. Review Your Insurance Coverage — Before You Need It
This is the one people skip until it’s too late. Pull out your homeowners insurance policy and actually read it. Key things to look for:
- Do you have flood insurance? Standard homeowners policies do NOT cover flooding. Flood insurance is a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Given Citrus County’s geography, this is worth a serious look.
- What is your hurricane deductible? Many Florida policies have a separate hurricane deductible that is calculated as a percentage of your home’s insured value — often 2% to 5%. On a $300,000 home, that’s $6,000 to $15,000 out of pocket before your insurance kicks in.
- Is your coverage amount current? Construction costs have risen significantly in recent years. Make sure your home is insured for what it would actually cost to rebuild today, not what you paid for it years ago.
If you have questions about what a 4-Point or Wind Mitigation inspection can do for your specific policy, your insurance agent is your best resource — and we’re happy to coordinate directly with agents as well.
8. Create a Home Inventory
If your home is damaged or destroyed by a hurricane, you’ll need to file an insurance claim — and the more documentation you have, the smoother that process will be. Walk through every room of your home with your phone and record a video of your belongings. Open closets, cabinets, and drawers. Note serial numbers on electronics and appliances.
Store this video somewhere off-site or in cloud storage so it’s accessible even if your home is not. This one simple step could save you enormous stress during what would already be a very difficult time.
9. Prepare Your Emergency Supply Kit
Florida Emergency Management recommends keeping at least 7 days of supplies on hand. Your kit should include:
- Water (1 gallon per person per day)
- Non-perishable food
- Prescription medications
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- First aid kit
- Phone chargers and a portable battery pack
- Cash in small bills (ATMs may not work after a storm)
- Important documents in a waterproof container
- A plan for pets
Don’t wait until a storm is named. By then, store shelves are empty and gas stations have lines around the block. Stock up now while everything is readily available.
10. Know Your Evacuation Zone and Have a Plan
Citrus County has designated evacuation zones that determine whether and when you’ll be asked to leave during a major storm. Look up your zone at the Citrus County Emergency Management website and know your zone before you need to act on it.
Plan at least two evacuation routes out of the county. Identify where you would go — a friend or family member’s home, a hotel, or a public shelter. Make sure everyone in your household knows the plan, including what to do if you’re not all together when a storm threatens.
Final Thoughts from Your Local Inspector
Hurricane preparedness isn’t about fear — it’s about being a responsible homeowner and protecting the investment you’ve worked so hard for. The good news is that most of what I’ve covered above is either free or very affordable, and the peace of mind it buys is priceless.
If you’d like help with a Wind Mitigation Report, 4-Point Inspection, Roof Certification, or a full Home Inspection before hurricane season peaks, I’d love to hear from you. I’m a local, owner-operated business right here in Citrus Springs, and I take pride in serving my neighbors with honest, thorough inspections and fast turnaround on reports.
Use code BRINK10 for 10% off any inspection.
📞 (352) 634-0631 🌐 www.brinkmanhomeinspections.com
Stay safe out there, Citrus County. We’ve got you covered.
Andrew Napier is a Certified Professional Inspector (CPI) through InterNACHI and the owner of Brinkman Home Inspections, Inc. in Citrus Springs, Florida. License #HI14461. He has served Citrus County and surrounding areas for over 35 years.
Tags: home inspection, hurricane season, Citrus County, Citrus Springs, wind mitigation, 4-point inspection, roof certification, Florida homeowner tips, hurricane preparedness, Brinkman Home Inspections