2025 hurricane season prep: How to safely install shutters, tips on maintenance
The key to getting through storm season is being prepared.
Here are some important tips on hurricane shutters:
Do a trial run now to make sure your shutter system is functioning properly.
If you have removable panels, get them out to see if any are missing or bent.
Make sure you have enough mounting fasteners. If not, hardware stores often carry extras. Make sure mounting tracks are clean and debris-free.
Apply some light machine oil to lubricate parts and deter rust.
Permanently applied shutter systems, such as roll-up, Bahama or accordion shutters should be serviced yearly (twice yearly, if you live on the beach) by a professional, especially if the system is motorized. If rollers are accessible, they can be sprayed with aerosol 'white grease,' according to Bill Feeley, president of the International Hurricane Protection Association. All motors should be professionally serviced.
Owners of newly built homes with shutter systems should make sure their builder demonstrates how to use the system and that all parts are provided before moving in. Missing or wrong-sized components are common, according to Feeley. 'The homeowner assumes they fit and then when the storm is bearing down, they find out they don't,' he said.
International Hurricane Protection Association: (844) 516-4472, www.inthpa.com
American Shutter Systems Association: (800) 432-2204, www.amshutter.org
Shutter orders and backlogs rise near the height of storm season. So the time to choose your coverings, if you haven't already, is now. The least expensive option is plywood.
Plywood does not meet Florida Building Code specifications unless it's installed according to code; however, plywood does not meet building codes in most Palm Beach County jurisdictions.
However, if a storm is close and survival is the goal, follow instructions in the accompanying graphic for correct installation.
Plywood comes in 4-by-8-foot sheets. Measure windows and doors, adding 8 inches to each measurement for a 4-inch overhang. (If your window has an exterior sill, rest the plywood on the sill and add 4 inches to the other 3 sides.)
Make your shutters now, before a storm approaches. Label them, for example 'east dining room' and waterproof with sealant or paint.
Store plywood off the ground.
Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers weather, real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism; subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane season 2025: Tips installing shutters, accordion on windows
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erin grows bigger and stronger. Latest forecast, impacts on Jersey Shore.
The already massive Hurricane Erin grew even bigger and stronger Wednesday afternoon, and the storm may strengthen into a major Category 3 hurricane by Wednesday night. That's the latest word from the National Hurricane Center, which continues to warn beach-goers up and down the East Coast — including the entire Jersey Shore — to stay out of the Atlantic Ocean during the next two days. Turbulent seas, huge breaking waves and powerful rip currents will all create life-threatening conditions for boaters and swimmers both Wednesday and Thursday, according to weather forecasters and public officials. Erin's top sustained winds are blowing at 110 mph, making it a high-level Category 2 hurricane — just short of returning to 'major hurricane' status. In addition to its growing strength, Erin's size is massive. The storm is now more than 800 miles wide as it continues to churn northward off the eastern Atlantic coast. Forecasters say hurricane-force winds are now stretching out as far as 105 miles from Erin's center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward to 265 miles. As of Wednesday afternoon, Hurricane Erin's center was about 530 miles west of Bermuda, 335 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and about 635 miles south of Cape May, New Jersey. At its closest pass, Erin's center is expected to be spinning about 350 to 400 miles southeast of Cape May on Thursday. That is close enough for the storm to bring 40 to 50 mph wind gusts, huge waves and dangerous rip currents to beaches in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean counties, forecasters say. Minor to moderate coastal flooding is expected along the Jersey Shore, with some areas at risk of major flooding — particularly during high tide cycles Thursday evening through Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service. Major coastal flooding and tidal flooding is possible in Cape May County, the agency noted. Emergency management officials in Cape May County noted that 'forecasts indicate a peak (tidal) surge of 1 to 3 feet in the Delaware Bay, which may impact low-lying areas of bayside communities in Middle Township, Dennis Township, and surrounding areas.' Latest weather alerts in N.J. Wind advisory: Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties from 10 a.m. Thursday to midnight Thursday. Steady northeast winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph expected. Coastal flood warning: Atlantic and Cape May counties from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 2 a.m. Saturday. The greatest impacts from coastal flooding are expected with the Thursday evening high tide. Locally major flooding impacts are possible. Coastal flood watch: Cumberland, Ocean, Middlesex, Monmouth and southeastern Burlington counties until 2 a.m. Saturday. One to two feet of inundation above ground level possible in low- lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. High surf advisory: Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean counties now until Friday at 6 p.m. Large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet are expected in the surf zone on Wednesday, and breaking waves as high as 7 to 12 feet are expected on Thursday. Rip current alert: Forecasters are warning beach-goers about a high risk of life-threatening rip currents at all ocean beaches in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean counties on Wednesday and Thursday, possibly extending into Friday. Current weather radar Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@ or on X at @LensReality.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Will Hurricane Erin hit Jersey Shore? See Erin path, beach closures, tropical storm warnings
Hurricane Erin was barreling north in the Atlantic on Wednesday, Aug. 20, triggering dangerous storm surges, tropical storm warnings and coastal flooding from North Carolina's Outer Banks north to Delaware and New Jersey. Beachfront property owners are bracing for life-threatening storm surge of up to four feet and significant coastal flooding as Hurricane Erin's center is expected to roar past the Outer Banks less than 300 miles offshore. On Wednesday, Aug. 20, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm warning as far north as Chincoteague, Virginia. The massive storm is expected to track north-northeast late Wednesday without a direct U.S. hit, although tropical storm force winds gusts, dangerous surf, high waves and rip currents are posing dangers along the Jersey Shore coastlines. Here's the latest. Where is Hurricane Erin now? Hurricane Erin was about 365 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was crawling north with sustained maximum winds of 110 mph, with additional strengthening to a Category 3 by later Wednesday. The massive storm is expected to take a north-northeast track later tonight, steering away from the U.S. Still, the storm is battering the North Carolina coast as it nears its closest approach, triggering evacuations, tropical storm warnings and massive flooding. Will Hurricane Erin hit New Jersey? Hurricane Erin is not expected to hit New Jersey directly, with the massive storm expected to turn north-northeast by late Wednesday, Aug. 20, followed by a faster move northeast and east-northeast in the Atlantic by Thursday, Aug. 21 and Friday, Aug. 22. Are Wildwood beaches closed in NJ? See list of NJ beaches closed Jersey Shore beaches that closed due to Hurricane Erin announced Monday, Aug. 18, include Wildwood, Margate, and Bay Head. On Tuesday, officials in Cape May, Ocean City, and Longport ordered beachgoers to stay out of the water altogether. The ocean was largely off limits in beach towns that included Atlantic City and Ventnor, with red flags up in Brigantine, Point Pleasant, Longport and Strathmere. At Island Beach State Park, swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, mobile sport fishing vehicle permit access, and nature center programs were suspended through at least Thursday, Aug. 21, the state park posted on Facebook. Visitors were still allowed to walk on the beach for fishing and other activities. Hurricane Erin tropical storm warnings The National Hurricane Center issued tropical storm warnings as far north as Chincoteague, Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds, roughly 60 miles south of the Delaware border. Hurricane Erin spaghetti models Hurricane Erin tracker NJ coastal flood warnings The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for Cape May County in New Jersey as well as Kent and Sussex counties in Delaware from 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, through 2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. Residents should prepare for widespread roadside flooding in coastal and bayside communities and along inland tidal waterways, making roadways impassable. Expected peak storm surge from Hurricane Erin in NJ Hurricane Erin is expected to bring storm surges up to three feet along the Jersey coast. Weather watches, warnings at Jersey Shore Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: See Hurricane Erin live tracker as New Jersey shore beaches close
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erin's massive size seen from space
Hurricane Erin has grown bigger and stronger Wednesday afternoon, with its top sustained winds blowing at 110 mph, just short of returning to 'major' hurricane status. Even more significant is Erin's massive size. Forecasters say hurricane-force winds are now stretching out as far as 105 miles from Erin's center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward to 265 miles. That's why many areas of the eastern U.S. — including New Jersey — are getting rough surf conditions, with big breaking waves and dangerous rip currents. Even though the hurricane won't be making landfall anywhere in the U.S., its powerful winds are churning up the Atlantic Ocean, causing huge swells and rough surf, forecasters warn. At its closest pass, Erin's center will be spinning about 350 to 450 miles south and east of New Jersey. That is close enough for the storm's fierce winds to wreak havoc along the Jersey Shore. Forecasters are calling for breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet on Wednesday and as high as 7 to 12 feet on Thursday at ocean beaches in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean counties. Boaters are being warned that waves in the Atlantic coastal waters adjacent to the Jersey Shore and Delaware are expected to rise up to 9 feet on Wednesday and as huge as 10 to 17 feet on Thursday. In waters off the coast of New York City and Long Island, forecasters are expecting waves as high as 16 to 18 feet, with occasional waves of 20 feet during the peak on Thursday afternoon. The National Hurricane Center says Erin might get even stronger by Wednesday night and return to 'major hurricane' status, with top sustained winds blowing at 111 mph or higher. Current weather radar Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@ or on X at @LensReality.
