My hurricane-season routine as an Oviedo homeowner
A Seminole County native shares the practical (and slightly obsessive) steps I take every summer to prep for storm season.
I've been through enough hurricane seasons in Oviedo to know that the only thing predictable about them is the anxiety. I still remember standing on my porch during Irma, watching the wind whip the oaks into a frenzy, wondering if that old water tower would finally topple. It didn't, but my fence did. Since then I've developed a routine that's part stubbornness, part experience, and all Oviedo. Here's what I actually do, from the first whisper of a tropical wave to the all-clear.
The pre-season checklist: June is the new May
I start paying attention around the first week of June. Not because the storms are here yet, but because that's when I make sure my generator — a trusty Honda that's older than my dog — gets its annual checkup. I change the oil, run it for 15 minutes, and then stare at it like it's going to save my sanity. (It will.)
Then I walk the property. I look for dead branches in the oaks, check the tie-downs on the shed, and make sure the gutters are clear. I also check my stock of batteries, propane tanks, and — most importantly — the freezer. I fill empty milk jugs with water and freeze them; they keep the fridge cold and double as drinking water later. It's alot of little things, but they add up.
When the cone shifts: tracking and decision time
The moment the National Hurricane Center starts showing a possible Florida hit, my phone becomes a weather station. I check the models (Euro, GFS, all the jargon) but I put more stock in what the old-timers at the feed store say. There's a guy there who can feel a storm in his knees. I pay attention.
I also start filling up gas cans. I learned this lesson during Matthew — every station in town runs out of gas if you wait too long. I keep two 5-gallon cans for the generator and one for the car. And I top off the car itself. Nothing worse than trying to evacuate with a quarter tank.
Shutters vs. plywood: what works for me
| Type | Cost | Ease of install | Durability | My take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood (pre-cut) | $50–100 per window | Moderate (needs 2 people) | Good for a few seasons | Cheap and reliable, but heavy. |
| Accordion shutters | $15–25 per sq ft | Easy (one person) | Very good (lasts years) | Convenient, but pricey upfront. |
| Storm panels (track) | $10–20 per sq ft | Easy (one person) | Excellent | Best balance of cost and ease — wish I had 'em. |
| Impact windows | $40–60 per sq ft | No install needed | Best (permanent) | Ultimate solution, but expensive. |
The great shutter-and-furniture shuffle
I don't have accordion shutters — too pricey. I use plywood that I cut to fit each window, labeled with a Sharpie. It's a pain to put up, but it works. My neighbor has the metal panels that slide into tracks, and I admit, I'm jealous every time I see him zip through it in half the time.
Once the windows are covered, everything from the yard comes inside. The patio furniture, the potted plants, the rooster statue that my mom gave me. I've seen too many lawn chairs become projectiles. Also: I bring the trash cans into the garage. The wind will find them.
Taking care of the critters (two-legged and four-legged)
I've got chickens — three hens and a rooster named George. They're not just pets, they're part of the homestead. When a storm's coming, I move them into a reinforced coop in the garage. I put down extra bedding, secure the waterer, and make sure they have food. They don't love it, but they're alive.
I also prep for the indoors: I fill the bathtub with water (for flushing, using a bucket), charge all my power banks, dig out the battery-powered lanterns, and make sure I have a physical map of Seminole County. The cell towers go down, but paper doesn't.
Hunkering down (and when to get out)
The first few storms I rode out were scary. Now I have a system. I set up the generator to run the fridge, a fan, and a lamp. I have a camping stove for coffee and canned soup. I fill a cooler with ice and keep the drinks cold. And I always have a deck of cards and a book — not because I'm calm, but because staring at the wind makes you crazy.
But I also know when to leave. If the storm is a Cat 3 or higher, or if the county issues a mandatory evacuation for my zone, I go. I have a go-bag packed: important papers, medications, pet carriers, and a change of clothes. My parents are in Lake Mary, so I head there. It's better to be alive and annoyed than brave and stuck.
After the storm: cleanup and community
The worst part is the aftermath. The heat, the humidity, the sound of chainsaws everywhere. I always check on my neighbors first — the elderly couple three doors down, the single mom across the street. Oviedo is the kind of place where people help each other. After Irma, a guy with a flatbed trailer came by and hauled off everyone's branches for free.
I also know where to go for supplies: the Ace Hardware on Mitchell Hammock always reopens fast, and the Publix on Alafaya gets ice within a day or two. And I always stop by the water tower after a storm — it's still standing, and that feels like a small victory.
Find it on YouTube → “hurricane preparation Florida homeowner tips generator plywood shutters”
Questions folks ask me
Do I really need a generator in Oviedo?
If you want to keep your fridge running and your sanity intact during a multi-day outage, yes. I've gone 4 days without power after a storm — a generator made it bearable.
Where can I get sandbags in Oviedo?
Seminole County usually sets up sandbag stations at the Oviedo Fire Station (maybe Station 25) and the Public Works yard on County Home Road. Call ahead to confirm hours — they fill them for free.
What should I do with my chickens during a hurricane?
Move them to a sturdy coop in a garage or shed. Secure the coop so it can't tip. Provide food and water, and check on them regularly. They'll be stressed but fine.
Is it safe to stay in a mobile home in Oviedo during a hurricane?
No. Mobile homes are not safe in high winds. Evacuate to a shelter or a friend's house. Seminole County opens shelters at high schools like Hagerty — check the county website.
When should I start preparing?
June 1 is the official start of hurricane season. That's when I do my pre-season checks. Don't wait for a storm to form — supplies run out fast.
Hurricane season is a fact of life here in Oviedo. It's not something you can ignore, but it doesn't have to rule your summer either. My routine keeps me from panicking, and it lets me focus on what matters: keeping my family, my chickens, and my home safe. And when the storm passes and the sun comes out, I walk down to the water tower, give it a nod, and start cleaning up. Because that's what we do. Stay safe, neighbors.
More from the Oviedo blog
- Where to Actually See the Oviedo Chickens (and the Unwritten Rules)
- My honest newcomer's guide to moving to Oviedo, FL
- My Oviedo on the Park Survival Guide: Parking, Events, and the Best Benches
- Why I keep going back to Black Hammock (and why you should too)
- Oviedo vs Winter Springs: where we almost bought, and why we chose Oviedo
- The family-friendly restaurants we keep going back to in Oviedo