As hurricane season officially begins, millions of homeowners face months of storm risk and the heavy costs that follow. To address this, former Air Force meteorologist Bill Combes has released The Hurricane Survival Guide, a 175-page digital manual designed to equip homeowners with strategies to prepare before a storm hits and safeguard their finances afterward.
Combes, who spent years tracking dangerous weather and later developed storm-mapping software used by thousands of roofing companies, brings insider knowledge to the guide. He has witnessed how the repair and storm claims business operates after a storm, a perspective most homeowners never see. "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."
The guide covers the entire storm lifecycle across 11 chapters. Before a storm, it provides simple plans that hold up under pressure, home protection steps, and supply lists that go beyond basic kits, including documenting everything. During the storm, it advises on staying safe, communicating when power fails, and taking phone photos correctly to support insurance claims. After the storm, it details how to return home safely, spot hidden damage, manage contractors, avoid scams, and handle tough insurance claims.
State officials underscore the importance of early preparation. Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Blaise Ingoglia said, "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 is available as an instant digital download, allowing readers to implement strategies before the first storm develops. Combes emphasizes that even one tip—a single photo taken correctly or one bad contractor turned away—can save a family thousands of dollars. He encourages homeowners to act now, 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, the website offers a Hurricane Survival Quiz that provides a personalized report. The guide aims to fill the gap left by typical survival guides that stop when the storm ends, exactly when families are most vulnerable to financial loss from scams and unfair insurance tactics.
