Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key in 2024. This guide covers what Sarasota households can clean and clear before a storm, what is safe to tackle after, and when to call restoration.
Every Sarasota household lives with the same six month window. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the National Hurricane Center puts its statistical peak on September 10. Most years the area sees heavy rain and wind rather than a direct hit, but recent history is a reminder that a direct hit is possible.
This guide is about the cleaning side of storm season: getting a home ready so there is less to deal with afterward, and knowing what ordinary cleaning can and cannot fix once a storm has passed.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key as a category 3 hurricane on the evening of October 9, 2024, local time. The National Hurricane Center's report describes major damage in the Sarasota and Tampa Bay areas, with hurricane conditions from Clearwater Beach south across Sarasota to near Venice.
For homeowners the lesson is practical. A storm late in the season, after months of rain, finds the ground saturated and homes already damp. Preparing early, and having a plan for the days after, makes a large difference to how fast a household gets back to normal.
Early June is the time for a cleaning and clearing pass with storms in mind. The goal is a home that is easy to secure quickly and easy to clean up afterward.
June through September also bring about 29.6 inches of the area's rain, so anything you do to keep moisture out and air moving helps for the whole season, storm or no storm.
Once a watch is posted, the priority is securing the home, not cleaning it. Bring in everything from the lanai and pool deck. Run the dishwasher and laundry while power is reliable, empty the kitchen trash and recycling so nothing sits in a warm house without power, and clear out perishable food that will spoil if the refrigerator goes off.
Recycling is mandatory in the City of Sarasota, and collection schedules can shift around a storm. Check the city's Cart Smart tool and its announcements for what to set out, and do not leave carts at the curb as a storm approaches.
Wait until officials say it is safe to return and the power and water are on. Then dry the home as fast as possible: run the air conditioning, use fans and a dehumidifier, and move wet rugs and fabrics outside or into a dry room.
The Florida Department of Health says a moldy area of less than about 10 square feet can usually be cleaned by the homeowner with detergent or a mildew cleaner, then dried thoroughly. Wear gloves, keep the room ventilated, and never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
The same agency advises keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, and below 50 percent is best. A small hygrometer from a hardware store tells you when the house is back in that range.
Ordinary house cleaning, including a deep clean, is for a home that is dry and structurally sound. It is not the right service for floodwater, soaked drywall, wet insulation, sewage backup or mold growth larger than a small patch. Those need a qualified restoration contractor and often an insurance adjuster first.
TotalCare Cleaning does not provide water damage, mold or debris services. Once a home has been dried and repaired, a One-Time Deep Clean is a good way to remove construction dust from fans, vents and baseboards and get the home ready to live in again.
Sarasota County counts about 40,300 homes held for seasonal or occasional use, and many of them are empty from late spring to fall, which is hurricane season. If you own one, arrange for someone local to check the home after any storm, run the air conditioning and report damage early. A small leak found in a week is far easier to handle than one found in three months.
On Longboat Key, nearly half of housing units were counted as seasonal in 2020, so island owners in particular should have a local contact named before June.
The questions Sarasota homeowners ask most often about this topic, answered plainly.
TotalCare Cleaning will service Sarasota and surrounding areas with background-checked cleaners and is insured up to $1 million. Re-clean guarantee: if we missed something, tell us by the end of the next day and we come back to fix it. Beyond Clean. TotalCare.
