2025 hurricane season prep: How to safely install shutters, tips on maintenance
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 with the peak of the season on Sept. 10. The most activity happens between mid-August and mid-October, according to the National Hurricane Center.
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
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Maps show Hurricane Erick's projected path toward Mexico as storm intensifies to Category 3 in Pacific
Hurricane Erick — the fifth-named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season — is intensifying as it continues on a path toward Mexico. The National Hurricane Center said Wednesday night that Erick had strengthened into a major hurricane as it approaches southern Mexico on Thursday. As of 10 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday, Erick had upgraded to a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of nearly 125 mph. Hurricane-force winds extended 25 miles and tropical storm-force winds extended 90 miles from its center. It was centered about 55 miles southwest of Puerto Ángel, Mexico, moving northwest at 9 mph. This map shows the projected path of the storm: Hurricane Erick is rapidly intensifying and forecast to reach major status before hitting Mexico, the National Hurricane Center says. Nikki Nolan/CBS News The center of the storm was forecast to make landfall "in the western portion of the Mexican state of Oaxaca or the eastern portion of the Mexican state of Guerrero early Thursday morning," the hurricane center said. It was then expected to "continue inland over southern Mexico during the day on Thursday." A hurricane warning is in effect for Acapulco to Puerto Angel. Hurricane Erick is rapidly intensifying and forecast to reach major status before hitting Mexico, the National Hurricane Center says. Nikki Nolan/CBS News Major status begins at Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Wind Scale, with winds between 111 mph and 129 mph, strong enough to cause "devastating damage," according to NOAA. "Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends," NOAA says of the category's potential impacts. "Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes." Categories 4 and 5 have even greater impacts, with the ability to cause "catastrophic damage," the service says. That scale, however, just accounts for wind. "Water hazards — storm surge and inland flooding — have historically been the leading causes of loss of life during hurricanes," NOAA warns. "Hurricanes can also bring strong winds, tornadoes, rough surf, and rip currents." Erick is forecast to produce between 8 to 12 inches of rain, with maximum totals of 16 inches across the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the National Hurricane Center said, leading to "life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain." Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco are expected to see between 2 and 4 inches of rain. Hurricane Erick is forecast to bring up to 12 inches of rain across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the National Hurricane Center said. Nikki Nolan/CBS News Dangerous storm surge, which is a rise in sea level during the storm, is also expected to create coastal flooding and be accompanied by "large and destructive waves." Erick is on track to impact Acapulco, an area that was devastated by Hurricane Otis in October 2023. Otis hit the city as a Category 5 and left dozens of people dead after its wind speeds increased by 115 mph in a single day — the second-fastest recorded rate in modern times, according to the National Hurricane Center. "We are left with nothing," one woman said. "Everything is damaged."
UPI
3 hours ago
- UPI
Erick becomes 'extremely dangerous' hurricane in Pacific Ocean
Erick intensified into a major hurricane on Wednesday and was projected to strike Mexico's western coast. Image courtesy of National Hurricane Center/ Website June 19 (UPI) -- Erick became an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane early Thursday, as it crossed the Pacific Ocean en route to western Mexican two days after becoming a named storm. In its 9 p.m. CST advisory, the National Hurricane Center said Erick had maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, a Category 4 storm, up 20 mph from just a few hours earlier. Erick was about 70 miles west-southwest of Puerto Angel, Mexico, and about 90 miles southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico. The storm, which was moving northwest at 9 mph, became a hurricane Wednesday morning. In the 2 p.m. advisory, maximum sustained winds were 110 mph, just 1 mph from becoming a Category 3. Erick is forecast to remain a major hurricane when it reaches the coast of western Oaxaca or eastern Guerrero on Thursday morning, the NHC said. After it makes landfall, Erick is expected to move inland over southern Mexico during the day. "Erick is now an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane, and devastating wind damage is likely where the core moves onshore," the NHC said in a discussion on the storm. "Weather conditions are already deteriorating in the warning area, and preparations to protect life and property should have been completed." Erick will produce heavy rainfall across portions of Central America and southwest Mexico through this week with life-threatening flooding and mudslides likely, especially in steep terrain. The region from Acapulco to Puerto Angel remains under a hurricane warning, while a hurricane watch has been issued for the area west of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana. The area between Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz, and West of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana, is under a tropical storm warning. Erick will produce 8 to 16 inches of rain across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the NHC said. Erick is the fifth named storm in the Pacific this year. No storms have formed in the Atlantic yet. The hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erick rapidly strengthening in the Pacific: See path, tracker
Hurricane Erick is forecast to strike the southern coast of Mexico on Thursday as a major Category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph or more. After becoming a hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean early on June 18, the storm continued to organize throughout the day, forming a clear eye on satellite images, the National Hurricane Center said. Erick's maximum estimated wind speeds increased by 45 mph in just 12 hours on Wednesday. By 9 p.m., Erick's winds were an estimated 125 mph. The second hurricane of the Pacific season, was about 55 miles southwest of Puerto Angel, Mexico on Wednesday evening, moving northwestward at about 9 mph. The hurricane is expected to arrive along the coast east of Acapulco with destructive winds, life threatening storm surge and flash flooding. The center's update said the intensity forecast was "a little uncertain" because the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft had to abort its flight early because of a computer problem. Although the hurricane's intensity might fluctuate in the hours before landfall, it's possible it could strengthen further, the center stated. But the system is expected to rapidly fall apart after landfall and dissipate into a tropical depression over southern Mexico by Thursday evening. Erick is not expected to pose any problems for the U.S. The storm's forecast track has shifted eastward, and weather conditions in the region already have deteriorated, the hurricane center said. A hurricane warning is in effect for Acapulco to Puerto Angel, while a hurricane watch is in effect for west of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana. A tropical storm warning is in effect for east of Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz, and west of Acapulco to Tecpan de Galena. Erick is forecast to produce rainfall totals of 8 to 12 inches, with maximum totals of 16 inches, across the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero. The rainfall will lead to "life-threatening flooding and mudslides, especially in areas of steep terrain," the hurricane center said Wednesday. Additionally, rainfall totals between 3 to 8 inches are expected across the Mexican states of Chiapas, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco. The hurricane center said swells generated by Erick are expected to begin affecting the southern coast of Mexico later Wednesday, and are "likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions." 'Heat dome' incoming: Scorching temperatures in the forecast to kick off summer This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts. Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY This story has been updated to add new information. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Erick roars in Pacific, could hit as Category 3
