Hurricane season has officially begun, and millions of homeowners face months of storm risk along with the heavy costs that follow. A newly released 175-page guide, The Hurricane Survival Guide, aims to equip homeowners with strategies to prepare before a storm hits and to safeguard their finances afterward.
Written by former Air Force meteorologist Bill Combes, the guide walks homeowners through every step of a storm: preparation, safety during the event, and recovery without losing thousands of dollars. Combes spent years tracking dangerous weather and later built storm-mapping software used by thousands of roofing companies, giving him insider knowledge of how repair and storm claims operate after a storm—a part most homeowners never see, but that often costs them the most.
Unlike typical guides, this one extends beyond the storm's end. It shows families how to avoid the two biggest financial drains after a hurricane: contractor scams and unfair insurance tactics. The guide is 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," said Combes. "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 stated during 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 detailed plans that hold up under pressure, home protection steps, and supply lists that go beyond basic kits, including documenting everything. It provides safety tips for staying in touch when power fails and instructions on taking photos correctly to back up insurance claims. After the storm, it guides homeowners on 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 cleanup bills, contractors, and insurance fights begin. 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 immediately implement its strategies before the first storm develops. Even one tip—a single photo taken the right way, or one bad contractor turned away—can save a family thousands of dollars. For those unsure, a Hurricane Survival Quiz is available to provide a personalized report.
