Does My Safe Florida Home Cover Flood Protection or Only Wind Mitigation?
The My Safe Florida Home Program covers wind mitigation improvements only, flood protection products like flood barriers and flood panels are not currently eligible for grant funding. This is an important distinction for Florida homeowners, especially those in flood-prone areas who may need both types of protection. Understanding what the program does and doesn’t cover can help you plan your hurricane preparedness strategy and budget accordingly.
What Wind Mitigation Means: Protection Against Hurricane-Force Winds and Debris
Wind mitigation refers to improvements that help your home withstand the damaging effects of hurricane-force winds. This includes preventing structural damage from wind pressure, stopping flying debris from penetrating your home through windows and doors, and keeping your roof attached to your walls during extreme conditions.
The My Safe Florida Home Program funds four categories of wind mitigation improvements:
Opening protection: Impact windows and doors, hurricane shutters, storm panels, impact-rated garage doors, and skylight protection
Roof-to-wall connections: Metal clips and straps that reinforce the attachment between your roof and walls
Roof deck attachment: Additional fasteners that secure your roof sheathing to the trusses
Secondary water resistance: Barriers installed under your roof covering to prevent water intrusion if shingles or tiles are blown off
All of these improvements are designed to protect against wind damage, not flooding.
Why Flood Protection Is Not Currently Covered by My Safe Florida Home
The My Safe Florida Home Program was created specifically to address wind damage, which is the primary cause of structural damage during hurricanes. The program’s inspection process, certification requirements, and eligible improvements are all focused on wind resistance.
Flood protection involves different engineering standards, different product certifications, and different installation requirements. While the state recognizes the need for flood protection, especially with rising sea levels and increased storm surge risk, the current My Safe Florida Home Program framework is not set up to evaluate and fund flood mitigation products.
The state of Florida is working on certifications that may expand the program to include flood mitigation in the future, but as of 2026, flood protection remains outside the program’s scope.
Flood Protection Products That Are NOT Eligible for My Safe Florida Home Grants
The following types of flood protection products cannot be funded through the My Safe Florida Home Program:
Flood barriers and flood panels: Products like Storm Smart’s Flood Smart™ System that block water from entering your home through doors, garage openings, or other entry points are not covered.
Flood vents: Foundation vents designed to allow water to flow through your crawl space or enclosure during flooding are not eligible.
Sump pumps and drainage systems: Equipment that removes water from your home or property is not funded by the program.
Elevation and raising structures: Projects to raise your home above flood levels are not part of this program.
Waterproofing and sealing: Products that prevent water infiltration through walls or foundations are not eligible.
Wind Mitigation Products That ARE Covered: Storm Smart’s Eligible Solutions
While our Flood Smart™ System are not eligible for My Safe Florida Home funding, Storm Smart offers a full range of wind mitigation products that do qualify:
Storm Catcher® Hurricane Screens, including roll down screens, easy screens, slide screens, and strap and buckle screens
Impact windows and doors including Smart View Windows and PGT impact-resistant products
Aluminum shutters including Aluminum Roll Down shutters, Accordion Shutters, Bahama Shutters, and Colonial Shutters
Storm panels in both metal and clear options
All of these products can be funded through your My Safe Florida Home grant when they’re recommended in your inspection report.
Planning for Comprehensive Hurricane Protection: Wind and Flood
If you live in a flood-prone area, you likely need both wind and flood protection for complete hurricane preparedness. While the My Safe Florida Home Program can help offset the cost of wind mitigation, you’ll need to budget separately for flood protection products.
Some homeowners choose to use their grant toward wind mitigation first, then invest in flood protection separately. Others address both needs simultaneously. Storm Smart can help you plan a comprehensive approach, contact us for a consultation that covers both our grant-eligible wind mitigation products and our Flood Smart™ System.
Keep in mind that flood insurance through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is separate from the homeowners insurance required for My Safe Florida Home eligibility. If you’re in a high-risk flood zone, you may be required to carry flood insurance regardless of whether you install flood protection products.
Schedule a Free Storm Smart Consultation
Ready to discuss your hurricane protection needs? Contact Storm Smart for a free consultation. We can help you understand your My Safe Florida Home options for wind mitigation and discuss comprehensive protection that includes both wind and flood solutions. Learn more about how Storm Smart works with the My Safe Florida Home Program.
