Over half of Florida’s homeowners neglect to take recommended measures to safeguard their property against the impact of hurricanes, a new study has found.
The finding comes during the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Preparedness Week and ahead of Atlantic hurricane season, which typically runs from June through November.
The survey by door maker Origin Global asked the state’s residents how they prepare their household for major costal storms. Less than one in seven said they had installed the correct doors to cope with this type of event, while roof protection was only an issue for 14.6%. However, a third said they had planned ahead by stocking up on emergency supplies, while just under a fifth have invested in storm shutters.
More than half of respondents admitted having put none of the measures — which also included impact-resistant windows and provision to secure outside objects — in place to protect their home. In terms of insured U.S. coastal properties vulnerable to hurricanes, Florida ranks second only to New York, at an estimated cost of $2.86 trillion, says Joe Halsall, digital marketing manager at Origin Global.
“Our findings show that, despite the severity of last year’s hurricane season and the susceptibility of Florida to the elements, a surprising number of residents have not protected their homes against damage which could potentially cost them thousands of dollars to repair,” Halsall says.
| Safety Measure | Percent of FL Residents |
| Emergency supplies | 30.90% |
| Storm shutters | 18.30% |
| Impact-resistant windows | 18.00% |
| Provision to secure outside objects | 16.40% |
| Roof protection | 14.60% |
| Impact-resistant doors | 13.20% |
| None of the above | 50.20% |
