Every spring, thousands of snowbirds pack up their Martin County homes and head back north — to Ohio, Michigan, New York, Canada. They lock the door, set the alarm, and try not to think about what might happen between May and November.
The problem is that hurricane season starts June 1st — the same week most snowbirds are settling back into their northern routines. And the Treasure Coast sits directly in one of the most active hurricane corridors in the entire Atlantic basin.
This is not meant to scare you. It is meant to prepare you. Because the homeowners who come back to a disaster in November are almost always the ones who assumed everything would be fine.
Most people think of hurricane damage as the storm itself — the wind, the surge, the rain. But the damage that costs the most money is almost never caused by the storm directly. It is caused by what happens in the days and weeks after when nobody is watching.
A small roof leak or broken window after a storm becomes a full mold remediation project within 3 days in Florida's heat and humidity.
Here is how it typically unfolds for an unattended Treasure Coast home:
Day 1 — Storm passes. A shingle lifts on the roof. Water gets in through the attic. It drips down into the insulation and starts pooling on the ceiling drywall. The AC is off because the power went out.
Day 3 — Mold begins. Florida heat and humidity create the perfect environment. With no AC running and no one to notice the water, mold spores begin colonizing the wet drywall and insulation.
Week 2 — Spread. The mold spreads to adjacent walls. What started as a $400 shingle repair is now a $15,000 mold remediation project.
November — You return. You open the door to a smell you will never forget. Your insurance adjuster tells you the claim is complicated because the damage was not documented immediately after the storm.
The same damage caught within 24 hours typically costs under $1,000 to repair. Timing is everything in Florida.
Martin County homes — especially those built before 2000 — are particularly vulnerable to shingle loss and roof membrane damage during tropical storms. Even a Category 1 storm with 75mph winds can lift shingles and expose the underlayment. Without aerial inspection after the storm, small breaches go undetected for months.
After every significant storm I conduct a drone aerial roof inspection for all clients. The before-and-after documentation is also invaluable for insurance claims.
Florida sun degrades window and door seals over time. A storm with driving rain can push water through compromised seals even without breaking the glass. This type of intrusion is nearly impossible to spot from the outside — which is why interior inspections after storms are essential.
Pool cages and screen enclosures are extremely vulnerable in tropical storms. A collapsed screen enclosure can damage the pool deck, the pool itself, and adjacent structures. Many HOA communities also require prompt removal of storm debris.
Power surges during storms can damage HVAC units and electrical panels. A failed AC unit in an unattended Florida home during summer creates humidity levels that accelerate mold growth dramatically. Catching a tripped breaker or a failed AC unit within 24 hours of a storm can prevent weeks of moisture damage.
Low-lying areas of Palm City, Hobe Sound, and parts of Stuart are particularly prone to flooding during heavy rain events. Standing water around a foundation — even for a few days — can cause significant structural concerns that are expensive to remediate.
Here is something most snowbirds do not know: many homeowner insurance policies require prompt reporting of damage. If damage is discovered months after the fact with no documentation of when it occurred, insurers may dispute or deny the claim.
A professional home watch service provides timestamped photographic documentation before and after every storm — which is exactly what insurance adjusters need to process a claim quickly and fairly.
Ask your insurance agent whether your policy requires notification within a specific timeframe after storm damage. Many policies have 14-30 day windows. A home watch service ensures you are notified and documented well within that window.
Whether or not you hire a home watch service, here are the most important steps every Treasure Coast snowbird should take before heading north:
Before you leave: Have your roof professionally inspected. Trim trees and remove dead branches near the house. Secure or store all outdoor furniture. Test your shutters. Set your AC to 78-80 degrees — not off. Leave water turned off at the main but leave the water heater on pilot.
After a storm: Contact someone local immediately to do a visual inspection and document any damage with photos. Do not wait until you return — by then the damage will have compounded significantly.
I personally visit your Martin County home, inspect every inch of your property before and after every storm, and send you a full photo report the same day. Visits start at $75 or $89/month for ongoing coverage.
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