After what happened to Sarasota last year with Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, I’m getting calls from homeowners who never thought they’d need to worry about home security during storms. But here’s what I learned after 12+ years in this business: hurricanes don’t just bring wind and water—they bring opportunity for criminals.
When the power’s out, emergency services are stretched thin, and half the neighborhood is evacuated, that’s when bad things happen to unprotected homes. But the right preparation can keep your property safe even when you can’t be there.
Why Hurricane Season Changes Everything for Home Security
We’re smack in the middle of what’s supposed to be peak hurricane season—September 10 is actually the statistical peak day. This year started quieter than the above-normal season forecasters predicted, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. Ask anyone in Sarasota who got slammed by Helene last year while the storm was supposedly heading somewhere else.
Here’s what most people don’t think about: hurricanes create perfect conditions for crime. Evacuated neighborhoods become ghost towns. Security systems lose power. Police and sheriff’s deputies are busy with storm response, not property crime.
I’ve seen it happen. Homeowners come back after evacuating to find their house didn’t just get damaged by the storm—it got cleaned out by looters.
The Sarasota Reality After 2024
Sarasota got hit hard last year. Lido Key, St. Armands Key, and areas that thought they were safe from storm surge found out different. Many folks are still rebuilding, and some neighborhoods still look like construction zones.
That creates another problem: all those empty lots, houses under repair, and disrupted routines make it harder for neighbors to keep an eye on each other’s properties. Criminals know this too.
What Actually Works for Hurricane Home Security
Forget what you see in movies. Here’s what really protects homes during storms:
Your security system needs backup power. If your alarm system dies when the power goes out, you have no security system. Get a system with battery backup that lasts at least 24 hours, preferably longer.
Cameras need to keep recording. Security cameras are useless if they stop working when you need them most. Look for systems with local storage and cellular backup, not just Wi-Fi dependent setups.
Someone needs to check on your place. This is huge. Having actual people do security checks on your property during and after storms is worth every penny. We patrol evacuated neighborhoods specifically because we know homeowners worry about this.
The Evacuation Zone Dilemma
If you live in any of Sarasota’s evacuation zones (and many areas got reclassified after last year’s storm surge), you face a tough choice: stay and protect your property, or evacuate and hope nothing happens.
Smart homeowners don’t make that choice. They hire professional security services to keep an eye on things while they’re safely inland.
Mobile security patrol during storms isn’t just about crime—we also watch for things like loose shutters, rising water, or storm damage that needs immediate attention. Sometimes catching a small problem early saves thousands in damage.
Pre-Storm Security Checklist
Based on what I’ve learned from clients who’ve been through multiple hurricanes:
Two weeks before any storm threat:
- Test your security system’s backup power
- Charge all security cameras and backup batteries
- Clear memory cards and make sure you have storage space
- Take photos/video of your property for insurance purposes
When a hurricane watch is issued:
- Secure outdoor cameras or bring them inside
- Install storm shutters (which also prevent break-ins)
- Lock up anything outside that could become a projectile
- Arrange for security patrols if you’re evacuating
If you’re staying:
- Have a way to contact security services that doesn’t depend on cell towers
- Keep important documents in a waterproof safe
- Make sure neighbors know you’re still around
The Hidden Value of Professional Security
Here’s something insurance companies won’t tell you: having documented security measures can help with claims. We had a client whose house got broken into during Hurricane Ian. Because we had video footage and incident reports, his insurance company processed the theft claim separately from storm damage—he got paid for both.
Professional security services also coordinate with local law enforcement in ways individual homeowners can’t. We know which areas get priority patrol during storms and which neighborhoods get overlooked.
After the Storm: When Security Matters Most
The real danger often comes after the storm passes. Power’s still out, some areas are still flooded or blocked by debris, and that’s when looters strike.
I remember driving through Sarasota neighborhoods after Helene—you could see which houses had security signs and which didn’t. Guess which ones stayed untouched?
Post-storm security needs:
- Immediate property assessment for storm damage
- Documentation for insurance claims
- Protection during cleanup when contractors are coming and going
- Monitoring for vandalism or theft of materials
What About Flood and Water Damage?
Storm surge and flooding create their own security challenges. Water-damaged homes are vulnerable even if they’re occupied—wet drywall, damaged locks, and compromised windows make break-ins easier.
If your house floods, you need security during the entire reconstruction process. That could be months in Sarasota, based on what I’ve seen from last year’s storms.
Technology That Actually Helps
Skip the fancy gadgets. Focus on basics that work when everything else fails:
- Cellular security cameras that don’t need your home’s internet
- Battery-powered sensors for doors and windows
- Satellite communicators so you can reach help even when cell towers are down
- Solar-powered floodlights that work even when the grid is down
We Cover Sarasota and Beyond
USA Security & Protection Group LLC provides storm-ready security throughout Southwest Florida:
- Miami, FL
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Palm Beach, FL
- Delray Beach, FL
- Weston, FL
- Plantation, FL
- Port Saint Lucie, FL
- Palm Bay, FL
- Cocoa Beach, FL
- Fort Myers, FL
We know hurricane seasons, we know Florida communities, and we know what works when normal security measures fail.
Don’t Wait for the Next Watch
Hurricane season runs through November 30, and we’re still in the peak period when storms can develop fast. After what Sarasota went through last year, waiting until a storm is named to think about security is too late.
The best time to set up hurricane-ready home security is right now, when you can think clearly and have time to test everything.
Call us at (954) 477-1088 or email USACURITYPROGROUPLLC@GMAIL.COM. We’ll walk through your property, discuss your evacuation plans, and set up security that works whether you’re home or 100 miles inland.
