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Hurricane Season Prep for Bradenton Homeowners: Your Gulf Coast Checklist
The Atlantic hurricane season opened June 1 and runs through November 30 — which makes early summer the right time to get ready. Not because a storm is bearing down this week, but because the calmest, smartest decisions get made before one is ever named. If you live in Bradenton, on Anna Maria Island, or anywhere across Manatee and Sarasota County, a little preparation now buys a lot of peace of mind later.
Here's the short version of what matters most. For the full walkthrough — including a printable supply checklist and a one-page quick reference — grab the free Gulf Coast Hurricane Preparedness Guide.
Know your evacuation level first
The greatest threat to life in a hurricane isn't wind — it's storm surge, the ocean water a storm pushes inland. That's why your evacuation level, not your flood zone, is the single most important thing to know. In Manatee County, look up your address at mymanatee.org/level or call Emergency Management at (941) 749-3500. In Sarasota County, use the "Know Your Level" tool at scgov.net. Levels run A through E, with A the most vulnerable and the first ordered out — and anyone in a mobile or manufactured home must evacuate when Level A is called, regardless of location. Check your level every year, because zones change.
Build a 7-day kit before the shelves empty
Aim for at least a week of supplies: one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food and a manual can opener, a 7–14 day supply of medications, a first-aid kit, flashlights and batteries, a NOAA weather radio, phone chargers and a power bank, cash in small bills, and important documents in a waterproof container. Don't forget pets, infants, and elderly family members. Build it early in June — shelves empty the moment a storm enters the forecast.
Protect your home
Cover windows with rated shutters or pre-cut, labeled plywood. Trim trees, clear gutters, and bring in anything that can become a projectile. Know how to shut off your water, electricity, and gas. Never run a generator indoors or in a garage. And walk every room and the exterior with your phone's camera now — that footage is invaluable if you ever file an insurance claim.
Don't wait on insurance
Here's something a lot of homeowners learn the hard way: standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is usually a separate policy — often through the National Flood Insurance Program — and it commonly carries about a 30-day waiting period, so buying it as a storm approaches generally won't help for that storm. Check your hurricane or wind deductible too; it's often a percentage of your home's value rather than a flat dollar amount. Review your coverage early in the season. This is general information, not insurance advice — talk to a licensed insurance professional about your specific situation.
Have a plan before the cone appears
Decide where you'd go ahead of time: a host home with family or friends outside the evacuation area, a hotel well inland, or a public shelter as a last resort. Plan your route and leave early, since coastal roads and bridges flood and close. Pick an out-of-state contact everyone in the family knows, plan for pets (not all shelters accept them), and if anyone has medical needs, pre-register with your county's special-needs program now.
Get the Free Guide
The full Gulf Coast Hurricane Preparedness Guide pulls all of this together — evacuation tools for both counties, a printable kit checklist, home protection steps, and a quick-reference page to keep. Free, no obligation.
Download the Free Guide →I'm Ian Brooks-Miller, a Realtor with Wagner Realty in Bradenton and a Military Relocation Professional. Whether you're already settled on the Gulf Coast or thinking about a move here, I'm glad to be a resource on coastal living — evacuation levels, flood zones, and what to look at before you buy. Call or text me anytime at 941-807-4609.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for official guidance. During an actual storm, follow Manatee County and Sarasota County Emergency Management, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, FEMA, and the National Hurricane Center. Insurance information is general and not insurance, financial, or legal advice. Ian Brooks-Miller is a licensed Florida real estate agent affiliated with Wagner Realty and, in a transaction, works as a Transaction Broker. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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