Hurricane Season Storage Checklist

September marks the peak of Atlantic hurricane season, and for residents in storm-prone areas like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina, preparation can make all the difference. Beyond stocking up on water and batteries, protecting your belongings — both inside your home and in storage — deserves a spot on your hurricane prep checklist. Here's what to know.

Before the Storm: Protecting What's at Home

Start with the items most vulnerable to wind and water damage. Move outdoor furniture, grills, and decorations indoors or into a secured storage unit well before a storm is forecast to arrive. Loose items in a yard can become projectiles in high winds, so anything that can't be brought inside should be tied down or relocated.

Inside your home, elevate valuables and important documents off the floor in case of flooding. Consider photographing or scanning important documents, insurance papers, and family photos as a backup, and store physical copies in waterproof containers.

What to Check at Your Storage Unit

If you rent a self storage unit, a little preparation goes a long way:

Know your unit type. If you have the option, climate-controlled and indoor units generally offer better protection from wind-driven rain than drive-up exterior units.
Elevate items off the floor. Use pallets or shelving to keep boxes and furniture raised in case of minor water intrusion.
Use plastic bins, not cardboard. Cardboard boxes absorb moisture quickly and can fall apart during humid or wet conditions. Sealed plastic totes offer much better protection.
Check your lock and unit condition. Before hurricane season peaks, do a quick visual check to confirm your lock is secure and there are no gaps or damage to your unit's door.
Review your insurance or protection plan. Confirm whether your belongings in storage are covered under a homeowner's or renter's policy, or through a tenant protection plan offered by your storage facility.

What Not to Store in a Storage Unit During Storm Season

Some items are riskier to store during hurricane season regardless of unit type. Avoid storing anything irreplaceable — like family heirlooms, photographs, or important original documents — in ground-level or exterior units in flood-prone areas. Electronics and anything highly sensitive to humidity are safer in a climate-controlled unit, if available at your location.

After the Storm

Once it's safe to do so, check on your storage unit as soon as possible. Look for any signs of water intrusion, wind damage, or debris around the entrance. Take photos of any damage right away, both for your own records and for insurance or claims purposes. Report any concerns to your facility's management team promptly.

Plan Ahead, Not Under Pressure

The best hurricane storage plan is one made before a storm is on the radar — not while an evacuation notice is already in effect. If you're in a storm-prone area and need extra space to protect belongings before the season peaks, find an Osprey Storage location near you and take steps now to keep your things safe.