Hurricane Season Home Watch · Western Palm Beach County
Hurricane SeasonHome Watch.
Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30. If you're away for part of it, First Due can help you prepare before you leave and check on your home after a storm, once it's safe to do so.
A Firefighter's Approach
Prepare. Assess.Document.
Founder Dwight Saxon spent 30 years with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. That's the same approach he brings to storm season.
Prepare early
In fire rescue, the work starts long before the call. Storm season is the same: the best time to plan is before a storm is named, while vendors are available and you're still in town.
Assess safely
Nobody helps a homeowner by driving into downed lines or flooded streets. We go out once roads are clear and access is allowed, and we start outside before we go in.
Document everything
Firefighters write down what they find. After every visit you get dated photographs and plain-language notes, so you have a clear record of the conditions we observed.
Before & After the Storm
What we can dofor your home
Before you leave
Pre-storm preparation
- Complete a homeowner-approved departure checklist before you leave
- Meet your shutter, pool or landscape vendor for authorized access
- Photograph accessible areas so you have a recent record of your home
- Confirm accessible doors and windows are secured as authorized
- Record your emergency contacts, utility shutoff locations and vendor list
Departure preparation from $149 · Vendor access from $75/hour
Once it's safe
Post-storm property check
- Visible roof, exterior and window damage seen from ground level
- Fallen limbs, debris and standing water on the property
- Pool and screen enclosure areas for obvious concerns
- Signs of water coming in at doors, windows and ceilings (interior check)
- Thermostat setting and whether the power appears to be on (interior check)
- Photographs and a digital report sent to you after the visit
Exterior check from $149 · Interior/exterior check from $199
Hands-on storm preparation, such as installing shutters or moving heavy items, is only performed when separately authorized and quoted, or handled by your own vendor. First Due does not provide emergency response, repairs or insurance adjusting, and cannot guarantee how soon after a storm a visit will take place.
From the Fire Service
Storm safetytips
The same reminders fire crews give every storm season. They apply whether or not you're a client.
Generators stay outside
Never run a portable generator in a house, garage or near open windows. Carbon monoxide has no smell and builds up quickly.
Treat every downed line as live
Stay well away from fallen power lines and anything touching them, including fences and standing water.
Turn around at floodwater
Water across a road can hide washouts and debris, and only a little moving water can carry a car away.
Keep a written home plan
Before the season, write down shutoff locations, insurance details, vendors and who has a key. Leave a copy with us if you're a client.
Storm Questions
Hurricane SeasonFAQ
Leaving Town?Let Us Help You Keepan Eye on Home.
Whether you're a seasonal resident or frequent traveler, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss your property and service needs.