A hurricane is a type of storm called a tropical cyclone. Hurricanes are swirling storms that originate in the Atlantic basin and produce winds of 119 kilometers per hour (74 mph) or higher, heavy rainfall, tornadoes, and storm surge flooding. On the other hand, winds of 39–73 mph are called tropical storms, and winds of less than 39 mph are called tropical depressions.

There are five categories of hurricanes based on wind speed.

Category 1: Winds 119-153 km/hr (74-95 mph)
Category 2: Winds 154-177 km/hr (96-110 mph)
Category 3: Winds 178-208 km/hr (111-129 mph)
Category 4: Winds 209-251 km/hr (130-156 mph)
Category 5: Winds more than 252 km/hr (157 mph)

Hurricane Harvey was a devastating Category 4 hurricane. While every storm is different, a hurricane can pose a great deal of damage to properties. Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year.

Source: NOAA, A summary infographic showing hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms predicted from NOAA’s 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook.

Here are a few things that you can do to prepare your rental property for a hurricane.

1. Determine your risk.

Determine your risk – this is key to being ready, prepared, and resilient for any disaster, not only hurricanes. By doing so, you can minimize the damage and potential loss in the event of any disaster. Hurricane preparedness has already begun, which is before the hurricane season begins, June 1 in the Atlantic and May 15 in the Eastern and Central Pacific. Check if you live in an area prone to flooding. Search online to find your local emergency management and learn what hazards could happen where you live.

2. Keep your tenants informed.

Reach out to your tenants with hurricane preparedness measures—information about how they can prepare for a hurricane, the resources that they might need (emergency numbers and local evacuation center addresses), and the list of emergency supplies they should have (Disaster Supply Checklist). As a landlord, you have the added responsibility of keeping your residents informed and safe.

3. Strengthen your rental property.

Reminding your tenants of the hurricane preparedness measures to protect your property is not enough. There are some tasks that you need to do to help your property withstand any storm, even before a hurricane hits your area.

Create a home inventory and estimate its financial value.
Assess your property for potential damage.
Create a plan for repairs and rebuilding. Don’t forget to document any damage after the storm.
Review your insurance coverage and look into getting an extended replacement policy for your home or getting flood insurance.
Remind your tenants that they can get renters insurance to provide coverage for their personal belongings.
Secure outside fixtures and furniture or bring them indoors (trampolines, potted plants, tables, and chairs).
Check the yard for any loose branches and remove those that may damage your roof.
Check your roof for loose shingles or leaks.
Remove window AC units.
Install storm shutters for windows and doors, if necessary.
Clear gutters and storm drains.
Seal any openings, cracks, or holes.
Secure all financial records and other important documents. Download all your computer files to the cloud for backup storage.

4. Develop an evacuation plan

The best time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins. But if you haven’t started hurricane-proofing your rental property, whether or not you are in a hurricane-prone area, now is the best time to develop an evacuation plan, strengthen your rental property, and prepare your disaster supply kit.

Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Hurricane Season Preparedness Digital Toolkit
Texas Hurricane Center – Resources for before, during, and after a hurricane
Hurricane Safety – Hurricane preparedness, safety, and recovery resources
Flood Safety – Flood safety and preparedness tips and resources
Alert Houston – Critical emergency alerts to Houston residents
State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) – Voluntary free registry for Texans who require additional assistance during an emergency event due to a disability, functional and/or access need, or lack of transportation for evacuation.

Work with Apogee Properties

Apogee Properties is Houston’s Premier Property Management Company. We work and live in Houston, and our property managers are local. We’ve been in business for more than a decade, providing comprehensive property management services in the Houston region, ranging from a studio condo to a multi-family million-dollar estate. Contact us to learn more about our property management services, and what we can do for you and your rental property.

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