Hurricane Season Cleaning Checklist for Tallahassee Homeowners
Hurricane season is an annual reality for every Tallahassee household. Preparing your home ahead of time limits storm damage and makes the cleanup afterward far easier.
Emergency supplies matter. So does the cleaning, decluttering, and organizing you do beforehand, which reduces both the damage a storm causes and the work it leaves behind. In Tallahassee, storm surge is not the concern. The city sits roughly 20 miles inland at about 200 feet above sea level. The real threats are high wind, falling limbs from the heavy tree canopy, inland flooding, and extended power outages. Hurricane Michael cut power to roughly 97 percent of City of Tallahassee electric customers in 2018.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and activity peaks between mid-August and mid-October. Ideally, this checklist is finished before June 1. If you are reading it later in the season, work through it now.
This checklist covers the cleaning and organizing side of storm prep. For supply lists, evacuation zones, and shelter locations, visit talgov.com.
Start Outside: Clear Anything That Could Become Storm Debris
Strong winds turn unsecured objects into projectiles. Walk your property and identify anything that needs to be secured or stored.
- Trim branches hanging over your roof and driveway.
- Never trim near power lines; call the City of Tallahassee at 850-891-4968
- Hire a certified arborist for anything above ladder height.
- Remove dead limbs and damaged shrubs.
- Collect fallen sticks and yard debris.
- Secure patio furniture, grills, and outdoor decorations
- Store gardening tools in a garage or shed
Trim early. Ahead of a storm, the City of Tallahassee suspends yard waste collection and reschedules it, so anything you cut late sits at the curb where high winds can pick it up. Check talgov.com for the current schedule. A clear yard is also safer during cleanup and easier for utility crews to work in.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Leaves, twigs, and pine needles build up fast under Tallahassee’s tree canopy and block water from draining during heavy rain. Clogged gutters send water over the edge and straight down against your foundation.
- Remove leaves, needles, and debris from the full run.
- Confirm downspouts discharge well away from the foundation.
- Inspect for loose brackets, separated seams, or sagging sections.
Inspect Your Roof and the Trees Above It
In Tallahassee, the tree canopy is the main threat to your roof. Falling limbs and toppled trees are the leading cause of outages here, and they damage roofs as they fall. Inspect the roof and the canopy over it together.
- Missing, cracked, or lifted shingles
- Loose or corroded flashing around vents and chimneys
- Moss, needle piles, or debris buildup in valleys
- Limbs resting on or overhanging the roof surface.
Schedule repairs as soon as you spot damage. Roofers book out quickly once a storm enters the forecast.
Wash Windows and Prepare Storm Protection
Clean glass makes it easier to spot cracks, chips, and failing seals before a storm tests them.
- Wash the glass inside and out.
- Check window seals and caulking for gaps.
- Inspect screens and frames.
- Test every lock
Use code-approved hurricane shutters or impact-rated panels. Plywood is a last resort, not an equivalent option, because temporary panels lack testing or approval ratings. If plywood is all you have, use 5/8-inch exterior-grade CDX rather than OSB, cut and label each panel in advance, and anchor into the structural framing rather than window trim.
Get everything ready before a warning is issued. It saves hours you will not have later.
Declutter Inside Your Home
Storm preparation does not stop at the front door. An organized home is far easier to navigate when the power is out.
- Clear clutter off floors and away from exterior doors
- Move valuables and electronics off the floor and away from windows.
- Create clear walkways to exits and to your safe interior room.
- Consolidate emergency supplies in one accessible location.
Clean the Areas Where Moisture Problems Start
After a storm, water intrusion, a power outage, and no air conditioning leave moisture trapped indoors for days. The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, because mold can begin to grow after that window closes.
- Crawl spaces
- Garages
- Utility rooms
- Attics
- Laundry rooms
- Bathrooms
Cleaning these spaces beforehand gives you a baseline, so a new stain or damp spot afterward is obvious rather than hidden in clutter.
Organize Important Documents
Place critical paperwork in waterproof containers or sealed bags, and photograph each item as a backup.
- Insurance policies, including your flood policy if you carry one
- Identification documents
- Property records and deeds
- Medical information and prescription lists
- Emergency contact lists
Keeping everything in one place saves critical time if you need to evacuate.
Prepare an Emergency Cleaning Kit
Cleanup begins the moment the weather clears. Keep these supplies together and accessible.
| Item | Why It Helps |
| Heavy-duty contractor bags | Debris and wet material removal |
| Rubber gloves | Safe handling of debris and standing water |
| N95 masks | Protection from mold and dust |
| Disinfectant | Sanitizing surfaces after water contact |
| Towels and paper towels | Wiping up water before mold sets in |
| Wet/dry shop vacuum | Removing standing water quickly |
| Flashlights and headlamps | Working safely during outages |
| Batteries | Powering flashlights and radios |
| Basic hand tools | Minor repairs and securing loose material |
Prepare Your Tallahassee Home Before the Next Storm
Most of us stock up on flashlights and bottled water and stop there. Cleaning your home and clearing outdoor debris does what a supply run cannot: it removes hazards, exposes problems while there is still time to fix them, and leaves far less to sort out afterward.
If hurricane prep is competing with an already full schedule, professional cleaning can give you an organized starting point. Call A Mermaid’s Choice at (850) 985-2291. We offer residential cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, organizing services, and recurring cleaning plans for homes across Tallahassee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare my house for a hurricane in Tallahassee?
Work from the outside in. Trim overhanging limbs, clear gutters, secure loose yard items, inspect the roof, ready your shutters, then declutter indoors and organize documents and supplies. Aim to finish before June 1, when the Atlantic season opens.
Why is gutter cleaning important before a hurricane?
Clear gutters direct rainwater away from your home, reducing the risk of roof leaks, foundation damage, and pooling water around the structure. Under Tallahassee’s tree canopy, gutters clog faster than most homeowners expect.
Should I deep clean before hurricane season?
Yes. A deep clean removes clutter, gets valuables off the floor, and surfaces leaks or maintenance issues while there is still time to fix them. It also gives you a clean baseline, so post-storm water damage is easy to spot.
Can professional cleaning help with hurricane preparation?
Yes. Professional cleaning handles the cleaning and organizing layer of storm prep so you can focus on supplies, insurance documentation, and evacuation planning. For most households, that is the part that gets skipped when time runs short.