What’s the Best Way to Stay Safe During a Hurricane in Florida If I Don’t Evacuate?

The best way to stay safe during a hurricane if you don’t evacuate is to shelter in a small, windowless interior room on the lowest level of your home that’s not at risk of flooding and to prepare in advance for power outages, indoor air hazards, and flying debris.

Staying home during a hurricane is always a risk, but many Florida residents make that choice – whether due to health, logistics, pets, or concern for property. If you’re going to ride out the storm, you need more than just bottled water and batteries.

You need a plan for where to shelter, how to use a generator safely, how to keep food from spoiling, and how to protect your home’s structure from high winds and shattered glass.

In the sections below, we’ll walk you through exactly how to stay safe, based on proven best practices, real storm outcomes, and guidance trusted by Florida emergency managers.

What’s the safest place in the house during a hurricane?

The safest place in your house during a hurricane is a small, windowless interior room on the lowest level that isn’t at risk of flooding, such as a bathroom, hallway, or interior closet.

Why? These rooms are better protected from wind pressure, flying debris, and structural collapse. Avoid rooms with large windows, sliding glass doors, or exterior walls, since those are the first to fail under hurricane-force winds. And never shelter in a garage, even if it’s interior, as garage doors are especially vulnerable to wind uplift and can cause dangerous pressure changes inside your home.

The goal is to put as many walls and layers between you and the storm as possible.

Tip: Bring your phone, flashlights, food, water, and something to sit or sleep on. If your home has impact-rated windows, storm shutters, or Storm Catcher® Screens, you’re already one step ahead, these systems can reduce the chances of glass shatter or sudden roof uplift, especially if your shelter space borders an exterior wall.

If you’re sheltering with others, make sure everyone knows where to go when the storm intensifies, don’t wait until conditions are dangerous to move.

How do I use a generator safely during a power outage?

To use a generator safely during a power outage, always run it outside, at least 20 feet away from your home, with the exhaust pointed away from doors, windows, and vents. Never operate a generator indoors, in a garage, or even under a carport.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless, invisible, and deadly and it’s the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths after landfall. One portable generator running in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space can build up fatal CO levels in minutes. This risk remains even with windows cracked or garage doors partially open.

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Only refuel when the generator is turned off and cooled down
• Use a carbon monoxide detector inside your home – ideally battery-powered
• Never plug a generator directly into your wall outlets unless you have a professionally installed transfer switch (this can backfeed power into utility lines and electrocute workers)

If you’re using a whole-home standby generator, ensure it was professionally installed and tested regularly. These systems are much safer, but still require proper venting and routine maintenance.

Alternative: Portable battery backup stations or solar generators are safe for indoor use and can power small appliances, phones, or medical devices during a short outage, without the CO risk.

Protecting your power sources matters but so does protecting your home’s envelope. Products like Storm Catcher® screens and impact-rated windows can reduce pressure imbalances that often cause damage during power loss and high winds.

How do I keep food safe if the power goes out during a power outage?

To keep food safe during a power outage, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible, and know how long the contents will stay cold.

Here’s what you need to know:

• A full freezer will stay cold for about 48 hours (24 hours if half full)
• A refrigerator will keep food safe for about 4 hours without power
• Use an appliance thermometer to check that the freezer stays below 0°F and the fridge stays below 40°F
• If in doubt, throw it out, especially meats, dairy, or leftovers

Before the storm hits:

• Freeze jugs of water to extend freezer life
• Move highly perishable items to the freezer (even if temporarily)
• Store a few days’ worth of non-perishable food and a manual can opener

Pro Tip: If you have a portable generator or backup battery system, you can plug in a fridge or chest freezer as a “critical load” – just be sure it’s rated for continuous use and wired correctly.

You can’t prevent a power outage during a hurricane but you can limit how much it disrupts your food, your comfort, and your recovery. And with your windows, doors, or screens already protected from wind-driven rain and debris, your focus can stay on essentials like power and safety, not emergency repairs.

What should businesses do if they can’t fully shut down during a hurricane?

If your business can’t fully shut down during a hurricane, your top priority is to minimize on-site personnel and secure the property in advance using safety-rated storm protection systems.

Not every business can lock the doors and walk away – hospitals, storage facilities, data centers, and even small retail operations with sensitive inventory may need to keep limited staff on-site or reopen quickly after the storm.

Here’s what to focus on:

1. Decide early who must stay on-site and who doesn’t

• Identify essential roles only (e.g., facilities, security, critical operations)
• Send all non-essential staff home well before conditions become unsafe
• Make sure anyone staying knows their safe shelter area and emergency contacts

2. Prepare your building for wind, water, and pressure

• Secure glass: If you don’t have impact-rated windows, use high quality shutters to prevent shattering and protect interiors
• Check roof access points and drainage: Clear debris, secure loose items
• Verify generator safety: Follow carbon monoxide safety guidelines and confirm fuel supply

3. Create a clear storm protocol

• Document shutdown timelines, evacuation triggers, and safety zones
• Print physical copies in case of power loss
• Communicate expectations and plans to all staff ahead of landfall

Keep in mind: Even in areas that aren’t ordered to evacuate, surge, wind, or utility disruption can make it unsafe or impossible to operate.

Whether you’re protecting people, property, or both, the decisions you make before the storm affect how fast you recover afterward. And commercial-grade storm protection systems, rated for wind and impact, can mean the difference between a brief closure and a total loss.

What protective products help if I have to stay behind during a hurricane?

If you’re staying home during a hurricane, the most important protective products are those that reinforce your windows, doors, and openings against wind, impact, and water intrusion because that’s where most storm damage starts.

Here’s what makes a real difference:

Storm Catcher® Screens

These are strong wind-abating fabric that is installed over large openings like lanais, garages, or entryways. They reduce wind pressure on your home, which can prevent roof uplift and interior pressurization.

They’re ideal if you want to maintain visibility, light airflow, or protect wide areas without heavy shutters.

Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors

Built with laminated, hurricane-rated glass, these are designed to stay intact under flying debris, preventing dangerous breach scenarios. If a window fails during a storm, pressure changes can cause catastrophic structural damage or even roof failure.

Impact windows buy you time, peace of mind, and eliminate the need for last-minute boarding up.

Aluminum Storm Shutters

These permanent, code-rated shutters deploy quickly and offer strong physical protection for doors, slides, and traditional windows. Some models can be closed from the inside – a major benefit if you’re sheltering in place.

Their strength and simplicity make them especially useful for businesses and seasonal properties.

No matter which system you choose, what matters is that it’s tested for Florida conditions – not just generic “hurricane-rated” claims. All Storm Smart products meet Florida Building Code and HVHZ standards, and our local team will help you choose the right solution for your home, your risk level, and your sheltering plan.

Remember: if you’re not leaving, your home becomes your protection. Make sure it’s ready.

Ready to Shelter in Place? Let’s Make Sure Your Home Is Ready Too

Staying behind during a hurricane is a serious decision and the strength of your home’s protection can make all the difference. Whether you need to secure windows, protect wide openings, or just want expert advice on what actually works, we’re here to help.

Want to See Our Hurricane Protection Products in Person?

Scroll down to find the Storm Smart showroom nearest you. You can:

• Explore Storm Catcher® screens, impact windows, and shutters up close
• Talk with an experienced product specialist about your home’s specific risk zones
• Learn which solutions are right for your layout, timeline, and budget

Prefer to talk it through?

Call us at (888) 546-5708 and we’ll walk you through:

• How to evaluate your property’s exposure
• What protection levels make sense if you’re planning to stay
• What you can still do, even if the next storm is already forming

No pressure. Just smart, local help to keep you safer if you choose to ride it out.

We live in Florida too. And we know what works when the wind starts howling.

Once a storm is named, it may be too late to install protection or secure supplies. The countdown helps you act early, so your home is ready, your shelter is safe, and your options are open when the storm arrives.