Hurricane season has officially begun, and millions of homeowners now face months of storm risk—and the heavy costs that follow. The newly released Hurricane Survival Guide equips homeowners to prepare before the storm hits and safeguard their finances afterward, according to a press release.
The guide, written by former Air Force meteorologist Bill Combes, walks homeowners through every step of a storm: how to prepare, how to stay safe, and how to recover without losing thousands of dollars. Combes spent years tracking dangerous weather and built storm-mapping software used by thousands of roofing companies, giving him insider knowledge of the repair and storm claims business. “That's the part most homeowners never see, and it's the part that costs them the most,” he said.
Unlike typical guides, this one continues beyond the storm's end. It shows families how to avoid the two things that drain bank accounts after a hurricane: contractor scams and unfair insurance tactics. The guide includes 11 full chapters and 175 pages covering what to do before and after the storm hits. “Most guides stop the day the storm passes. That's exactly when families lose the most money,” Combes said. “If you prepare the right way before the storm, you protect your home and your wallet for months afterward.”
State officials are urging early action for the same reason. Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia said when he launched the state's 2026 preparedness push: “The more prepared we are upfront, the better off we'll be on the back end, and the less it will cost on the back end. We cannot sit back and hope. We have to prepare.”
The guide covers preparation before the storm, including simple plans that hold up under pressure, home protection steps, and supply lists that go beyond a basic kit. It also details what to do during the storm: how to stay safe, stay in touch when the power fails, and take phone photos correctly to back up an insurance claim. After the storm, it provides a playbook for returning home safely, spotting hidden damage, managing contractors, avoiding scams, and handling tough insurance claims.
“The hardest part of a hurricane often comes weeks later—when the cleanup bills, the contractors, and the insurance fights begin,” Combes noted. The guide is built to help families through that part, not just the storm itself.
The Hurricane Survival Guide is available now as an instant digital download at thehurricanesurvivalguide.com. Readers can implement its strategies immediately. Even one tip—a single photo taken the right way, or one bad contractor turned away—can save a family thousands of dollars. Combes encourages acting before any warnings are issued, as store shelves empty and contractors book up once a storm has a name.
For those unsure where to start, a Hurricane Survival Quiz offers a personalized report. The guide aims to put insider knowledge in homeowners' hands so they can prepare with confidence and protect their money when others are getting taken advantage of.
