Every Tampa resident knows the drill by now: the Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and the National Hurricane Center puts the heart of it between mid August and mid October, with the statistical peak on September 10.
That means late July is not too early to prepare. It is right on time. And while plywood and water bottles get all the attention, there is a quieter kind of readiness that makes every part of a storm easier: a clean, organized home.
Before the storm: clean and clear
Clear the yard and gutters. Loose branches, furniture, and toys become projectiles in high wind, and clogged gutters and drains turn heavy rain into water intrusion. Walk the property now, not when a cone appears on the forecast map.
Declutter the garage and entry. If you need to bring in patio furniture, grills, and plants quickly, you need somewhere to put them. A garage you can actually park in is a hurricane prep asset.
Organize your supplies. Flashlights, batteries, medications, documents, and water do you no good if you cannot find them in the dark. Clear bins in a clean closet beat a junk drawer every time.
Clean out the refrigerator and freezer. If the power goes out, a fridge full of expired condiments and mystery leftovers becomes a biohazard faster than you think. Going into a storm with a clean, organized fridge means less waste and less mess after.
Document your home. After a good cleaning, take photos and video of every room. Clear, current images of your home’s condition are exactly what you want on hand if you ever need to document damage later.
After the storm: move fast on moisture
The most important number in post-storm cleanup comes from the EPA’s mold guidance: if wet or damp areas are dried within 24 to 48 hours, mold usually will not grow. That window is short. Wet rugs, soaked baseboards, and damp drywall need attention in the first two days, not the second week.
Open the home up, run the AC and fans as soon as power allows, and pull up anything soaked that can be removed. For homes that come through with real damage and repair work, our Post Construction Cleaning service handles the dust and debris that follow contractors.
A clean home is a prepared home
The best time to get your house into shape is while the Gulf is quiet. A Deep Cleaningnow gets the whole home reset before the busy months, and regular Standard Cleaning keeps it that way straight through the season.
Get a free quote by booking online or call 813.922.2110. New customers get 25 dollars off their first cleaning, and we are happy to build the visit around your prep list.
Lightning Cleaning Tampa provides Standard Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, Move In / Move Out Cleaning, Air BNB Cleaning, Post Construction Cleaning, and Commercial Cleaning across the Tampa Bay area.