The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and runs until the end of November. Forecasts suggest an active season, with Colorado State University predicting 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes, all above the 30-year average. With climate patterns like El Niño fading and warmer-than-average ocean temperatures, the probability of landfalling storms is significantly elevated.
For hotels in coastal or storm-prone areas, including Florida, the Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and parts of the Eastern Seaboard; this isn’t just another seasonal threat, it’s a potential operational crisis. History offers stark warnings, past hurricanes have caused significant damage to hotels including when Hurricane Wilma damaged 98% of hotels in Quintana Roo, Mexico or more recently when Hurricane Otis caused similar problems in 2023.
When it comes to hurricane season, experience teaches one hard truth: you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to the level of your preparation. For hotel general managers, facilities leads, and operations teams, the time to prepare isn’t when the skies turn gray. It’s now.
Storms don’t just test infrastructure; they test coordination, communication, and calm under pressure. This guide provides actionable steps for hotel owners and staff to prepare for the hurricane season, ensuring the safety of guests and minimizing potential damages.
Every season, we see examples of last-minute scrambles: untested generators, missing supplies, confused staff, outdated contact lists. These oversights cost more than time; they risk safety, damage property, and prolong recovery.
Pre-season preparation should be part of your annual operational calendar, just like budgeting or staff training. Involve cross-functional leaders early and review your entire emergency plan as a team. Update protocols, reassign roles if staff have changed, and walk the property with fresh eyes. Don’t wait for a named storm to justify action.
When the wind picks up, clarity matters more than ever. Who’s on-site? Who’s on-call? Who’s contacting guests? These roles must be assigned, documented, and rehearsed well in advance.
Key steps:
Practice is key. Run simulations that walk the team through mock scenarios. It’s better to uncover gaps in a drill than during landfall.
Every property has its weak spots. Hurricanes find them.
Start your inspections early, and repeat them monthly during the season. Ensure checks are never missed by assigning the tasks in Snapfix. Create a checklist in the app for each of the below areas:
Hotels that use Snapfix assign recurring checks with photo documentation to ensure accountability and maintenance tracking.
In a storm, guests look to staff for guidance and their experience depends on how well you prepare them.
Before the storm:
During the storm:
After the storm:
Having the right supplies is non-negotiable but equally important is knowing where everything is and who has access. Snapfix Track module is the perfect tool for this.
Key categories to stock:
Store items in clearly labeled, water-resistant containers. Assign inventory tracking to a facilities lead and audit it monthly during storm season. Using digital checklists in Snapfix can help track stock levels and update logs in real time.
Even seasoned staff need refreshers and new hires need to be brought up to speed.
Recommended approach:
After each drill, debrief. What worked? What didn’t? Update the playbook and repeat.
The storm is only half the battle. Recovery is where operational resilience is truly tested.
Immediately after the storm:
Re-engage your team with a post-storm briefing. Acknowledge efforts, assign recovery tasks, and communicate clearly about timelines. Transparency with guests is equally as important. Set realistic expectations, and keep them informed about reopening or rebooking options.
Storms are unpredictable. But preparation isn’t.
A well-executed hurricane plan safeguards more than just your property, it protects your guests, your staff, and your brand reputation. When you prepare thoroughly, you recover faster. And in hospitality, how you respond during a crisis can define how you're remembered afterward.
Preparation isn’t glamorous but it's the reason your team stays safe, your guests stay calm, and your hotel gets back to business faster.
For teams using Snapfix, storm plans, checklists, and team coordination live in one place, helping make execution easier when time matters most. The key is clarity, consistency, and commitment to readiness.
Now is the time. Not when the storm is named.
Snapfix helps hotels prepare for storm season by digitizing checklists, task assignments, and maintenance workflows. Facilities teams can schedule recurring inspections, and document readiness with photos, all within a centralized platform.
In addition, Snapfix Chat enables real-time, distraction-free communication among team members. Hotels can set up a dedicated storm-prep chat group weeks or even months in advance, ensuring everyone stays informed and connected. This level of coordination helps prevent critical oversights and keeps teams aligned before, during, and after a storm.
What should a hotel have in a hurricane emergency kit?
A hotel hurricane emergency kit should include flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, bottled water, non-perishable food, weather radios, blankets, spare linens, sanitation supplies, and extra fuel for generators. It’s also critical to have printed guest rosters, emergency contacts, and copies of insurance documents.
Hotels keep guests safe by following a pre-established hurricane preparedness plan. This includes securing the property, providing regular updates, offering shelter in safe zones, ensuring backup power is available, and maintaining a stock of essential supplies. Clear communication and calm leadership are crucial throughout the storm.
Hotels should begin preparing before hurricane season starts, ideally several months in advance. Pre-season preparation allows time for infrastructure checks, staff training, supply stocking, and communication planning. Waiting until a storm is named can lead to missed steps and rushed execution.
Staff can be trained through seasonal orientation sessions, tabletop simulations, and full-scale drills that mirror real storm scenarios. Roles and responsibilities should be clearly defined, and new hires, especially seasonal staff should receive accelerated onboarding with storm-specific protocols.
The best way to track preparedness tasks is with a digital operations tool that allows you to assign, monitor, and document tasks across departments. Platforms like Snapfix can help hotels manage checklists, team responsibilities, and updates in real-time, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.