Hurricane season has officially begun, and millions of homeowners are facing months of storm risk, as well as the heavy costs that follow a storm. The newly released 175-page guide, "The Hurricane Survival Guide," aims to equip homeowners with the knowledge to prepare before the storm hits and safeguard their finances afterward.
Written by former Air Force meteorologist Bill Combes, the guide walks homeowners through every step of a storm: how to prepare, how to stay safe, and how to recover without losing thousands of dollars. Combes spent years tracking dangerous weather and also built a storm-mapping software used by thousands of roofing companies, giving him an inside look at the repair and storm claims business. "Most guides stop the day the storm passes. That's exactly when families lose the most money," said Combes. "If you prepare the right way before the storm, you protect your home and your wallet for months afterward."
State officials are urging early action for the same reason. Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia emphasized during the state's 2026 preparedness push in May: "The more prepared we are upfront, the better off we'll be on the back end, and the less it will cost on the back end. We cannot sit back and hope. We have to prepare."
The guide covers three phases: before, during, and after the storm. Before the storm, it offers simple plans that hold up under pressure, home protection steps, and supply lists beyond a basic kit, including documenting everything. During the storm, it advises on staying safe, staying in touch when power fails, and taking phone photos correctly to back up insurance claims. After the storm, it details how to return home safely, spot hidden damage, manage contractors, avoid scams, and handle tough insurance claims.
"The hardest part of a hurricane often comes weeks later—when the cleanup bills, the contractors, and the insurance fights begin," Combes noted. The guide is designed to help families through that part, not just the storm itself. It is available now as an instant digital download at thehurricanesurvivalguide.com. Readers can immediately implement its strategies before the first storm develops. Even one tip—a single photo taken the right way, or one bad contractor turned away—can save a family thousands of dollars.
State officials and experts alike stress acting now, before any warnings are issued. By the time a storm has a name, store shelves are empty and contractors are booked. For those unsure where to start, the guide includes a Hurricane Survival Quiz that provides a personalized report. The guide was created by Bill Combes, a former Air Force meteorologist with decades of experience tracking severe weather and working with contractors after storms.
