Ocala mover publishes hurricane prep guide for valuables

By AI, Created 11:16 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Skye Moving, LLC has released a free guide for Florida homeowners ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1. The guide focuses on what to crate, what to move inland and what to leave behind to reduce losses before a storm hits.

Why it matters: - Hurricane prep in Florida usually focuses on windows, supplies and evacuation plans, but valuables inside the home can be lost to flooding and wind damage. - Skye Moving’s guide aims to help homeowners make faster decisions before storm pressure closes off moving options. - The company says the goal is to reduce losses of items that are hard or impossible to replace, including family heirlooms and important documents.

What happened: - Ocala-based Skye Moving, LLC released a free homeowner guide on protecting valuables before a storm makes landfall. - The guide was published ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which opens June 1. - The company says the guide is based on more than a decade of Florida moving experience. - Skye Moving says that experience includes hundreds of pre-storm relocations of antiques, safes, pianos and family belongings.

The details: - Skye Moving identified five categories of items Florida homeowners most often regret leaving behind during a storm. - Those items include family photo albums and irreplaceable documents stored in low cabinets or ground-floor rooms. - Pianos and other musical instruments are also on the list, especially when they sit near large windows or exterior walls. - Gun safes and document safes can flood internally or shift dangerously. - Antique and heirloom furniture may not be replaceable and is often not fully covered by insurance. - Artwork and framed photographs on exterior-facing walls are also at risk. - The company recommends starting a valuables review at least 72 hours before forecasted landfall. - By then, homeowners should sort items into three groups: crate and protect in place, move to higher ground or inland storage, and document photographically as replaceable. - James, owner of Skye Moving, said homeowners who wait until a storm is 24 hours away often cannot book professional movers. - James also said the best-prepared homeowners make plans when a storm is still five days out and only a possibility. - Skye Moving advises homeowners this week to photograph or video every room for insurance records. - The company also recommends making a list of high-value items that would be difficult or impossible to replace. - Homeowners should identify an inland friend, relative or storage facility that could receive valuables on short notice. - Skye Moving says homeowners should save contact information for a licensed and insured moving company before hurricane season begins. - The company also recommends reviewing homeowners insurance coverage limits for antiques, art and electronics.

Between the lines: - The guide reflects a broader shift from last-minute storm response to earlier asset planning. - The 72-hour framework is designed to force triage before roads, schedules and supply chains become constrained. - The warning about 24-hour availability suggests professional moving capacity tightens quickly as storms approach. - For homeowners with expensive or sentimental items, the practical loss can exceed the cost of the item itself because many pieces cannot be replaced.

What’s next: - Florida homeowners will likely need to make valuables decisions earlier as the season begins and forecasts start shifting. - Skye Moving is positioning licensed movers as part of pre-storm planning, not just post-storm recovery. - The company is also offering free quotes for homeowners who want help preparing before a storm threat escalates.

The bottom line: - The most useful hurricane prep may happen before a storm is close enough to trigger panic. - For valuables, that means deciding early what stays, what moves and what gets documented before time runs out.