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Floridians are all too familiar with bracing themselves and their homes for tropical storms and hurricanes from June to November each year. But in the chaos of preparing your home, there’s one crucial thing you don’t want to forget: your car.

Luckily, preparing your car for hurricane season is fairly simple. Follow these easy tips so that when you’re battening down the hatches at home, your vehicle is as well protected as possible.

Where Should I Park My Car During Hurricane Season?

Where you park can make a big difference in how your car fares during a storm. Gainesville has several options that residents have used in past hurricanes, from free covered garages to private driveway rentals. A quick note before you dive in: cities and organizations can change their storm policies year to year, so treat the details below as a helpful starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm availability and rules directly with the city, UF, or any service provider before you count on a spot. And no matter which option you choose, the golden rule is the same: stay clear of trees, power lines, and anything else that could come down on your vehicle.

A few places to consider:

• SW Downtown Parking Garage (105 SW 3rd St.): The City of Gainesville has opened this facility as free, covered parking during past storms to help residents protect their cars from debris and flooding. Check the city’s parking page for current availability.
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• University of Florida garages: UF Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) has allowed students and faculty to use campus garages during past hurricanes. Keep an eye on the UF homepage or TAPS alerts for storm-specific exceptions.
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• Depot Park overflow lot: This lot sits on higher ground than a lot of low-lying areas around town, though it’s uncovered, so it won’t protect against falling debris.
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• Higher-elevation street parking: If you have to park on the street, look for higher ground, well away from large trees, low-hanging power lines, and flood-prone spots.
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• Downtown parking garages: There are several scattered around downtown Gainesville. Most charge a fee, but they’re a solid covered option. You can find a full map of downtown parking areas on the city’s downtown parking page.
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• Private driveway rentals: Apps like Prked let you rent a nearby driveway or garage from a local homeowner. Since it’s on private property, you skip a lot of the storm-week parking chaos, and some hosts will even check on your car or send a photo update if you ask.
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• A tip from the community: One Redditor shared that many UF lots aren’t decal-restricted after 5 or 6 p.m., as long as you’re out by around 6 a.m., and that the lot by Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is often free after 4 p.m. on weekdays and all weekend. Worth double-checking posted signage before you rely on it. (Note: this tip comes from a Reddit user, not from City Auto Repair, so verify current rules for yourself.)

Before you head out to park, check the city’s SafeGNV portal for real-time emergency updates and parking instructions specific to the storm at hand.

6 Simple Ways to Protect Your Car in a Hurricane

Everything is easier when you have a checklist to follow. So here are six ways to hurricane prep your vehicle before, during, and after a storm. 

1. Document Everything

Before a storm heads your way, one way to get your car hurricane-ready is to verify your automobile insurance policy coverage and ask your insurance agent what documentation they will require to file a claim post-storm. 

Once you have this information, get your car’s paperwork together, including insurance card, registration, owner’s manual, service records, and photos. Store these in a safe, watertight place, such as a Ziploc bag.

2. Check It Out

Make sure your car is in working order before a storm hits. Perhaps during an oil change or during a scheduled checkup, have your mechanic check the following things to ensure your car is in working order before the storm: 

• Antifreeze levels
• Battery power
• Brakes
• Exhaust and filters
• Hoses and belts
• Lights and hazards
• Oil level
• Suspension
• Thermostat
• Tires (including the spare)
• Wiper fluid and equipment

3. Gas It Up and Plan for Emergencies

In addition to making sure your car is in working order (especially the battery and oil levels), also keep a full tank of gas in your vehicle during the storm season so that if your area is ordered to evacuate, you can bypass the long gas station lines. 

In addition to fuelling up, make sure your car’s emergency kit is well-stocked with the following: 

• Car escape tool
• Car fire extinguisher
• Cell phone charger 
• First aid kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Flat tire inflation canister 
• Gas can
• Jumper cables
• Maps
• Multipurpose tool
• Oil quarts
• Rain poncho
• Reflective vest 
• Roadside flares
• Spare car fuses
• Spare tire and jack
• Washer fluid 

4. Stay Informed

During hurricane season here in Florida and year-round, stay current on the local news and meteorologist projections for storms in your area. There are also many apps that you can download that will alert you to any impending nasty weather, even if it’s not a named storm.

5. Move It or Lose It

If a storm is approaching, it’s time to remove any extra adornments from your car’s exterior. These include magnets, antennas that aren’t affixed, or anything else that high winds can blow off and turn into dangerous projectiles. 

Ideally, you can park your car in a garage or other enclosed space for the storm’s duration. If you do, remove any items from garage shelves that could fall on your vehicle if your garage floods. Also, brace the garage door if possible.

If your car must remain outside during the hurricane, ensure all windows and sunroofs are closed completely. You can then reinforce the windows with masking tape in a criss-cross pattern or using a car cover. Then, park it at the highest ground possible or close to a building, which will help block some of the wind. Avoid parking under trees, power lines, or anything else that could fall onto your car. Now, your car is officially hurricane-ready.

6. After the Storm

After the storm has passed, check your car’s exterior, interior, and engine carefully for damage. Take any pictures necessary for filing claims with your insurance. Then, only operate your vehicle if it’s necessary, and drive as slowly and carefully as you possibly can. Be careful to watch for downed lines, live wires, debris in the roads, and flooding. Never drive through standing water, as it may be deeper than it looks or hide hazardous objects. 

Does Car Insurance Cover Hurricane Damage?

If damage does occur during a storm, you’ll want to know if you’re covered. In most cases, car insurance will cover hurricane damage; however, not every car insurance policy will state that it does. You’ll want comprehensive car insurance in order to be covered from storm damage. Not sure if you have storm coverage? Now is the time to call your insurance and check before a storm is heading your way. 

City Auto Repair Is Here to Help You Get Your Car Hurricane-Ready

If you follow these simple steps, your vehicle will be prepared for whatever storms or hurricanes come your way!

Contact us to have our expert City Auto Repair mechanics do a checkup or maintenance service on your car ,and answer any of your hurricane preparedness questions you may have.