It’s hurricane season, or, as it is often referred to in Florida, the mean season. It’s a perfect name for it. I’m sure anybody who has been directly hit by a hurricane would agree. In ancient times, people thought the gods were punishing them. The disruptive power of what a hurricane can do to your house or business, indeed to the very survival of you and your family, is extraordinary.

People who live in areas that are annually impacted by hurricanes are far more educated than I am on the dangers of hurricanes and I’m sure you in the rental business are as well. But from what I hear from rental companies doing business in hurricane-prone areas, they are still often surprised when homeowners or business owners call them when hurricanes or other major storms are on their way, and, having done no advance preparation, say, “I’ve lost power, can you bring me a generator.”

Rental companies that specialize in power generation equipment, or at least regularly provide it, know there’s a lot more to providing power than just tossing a genset into the back of a truck, plugging it in and turning it on, and this short space is not sufficient to provide you with everything you need to know. My suggestion is that rental companies that do business in power need to help prepare business owners and homeowners all-year around so that when a major storm comes, people know where to plug in their generator and know the general information a rental center would require to make sure they get the right machine for their particular home or business.

Power generation specialists we have talked with suggest setting up accounts with customers and potential customers well in advance of storm season, especially with business customers. The rental company sales staff should check out the premises of buildings that might require power well in advance, so that the rental company knows the physical layout of the business, voltage requirements and other power particulars.

As hurricane seasons go, 2026 is not expected to be one of the more severe. But even a relatively mild season has plenty of punch and is certainly “mean” enough to cause overwhelming damage. According to Colorado State University’s annual Atlantic hurricane forecast, experts are anticipating 13 named storms with six expected to develop into hurricanes and two forecasted to reach major hurricane strength of Category 3 or higher.

Many of the most historic hurricanes turned out to be far more powerful than early predictions, intensifying with sudden force. Hurricane Otis, a Pacific hurricane that hit Acapulco, Mexico, had wind speeds increase by 115 miles per hour within 24 hours, allowing almost no time for people to prepare. None of the early forecasts expected Otis to be a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most severe on record.

Rental companies can also provide a service for their customers by helping them to prepare in advance. Generac puts out an annual Hurricane Preparedness Guide that can help customers be aware of a variety of steps they can take in advance, from how to safeguard food and water supplies, take care of children and pets, prepare emergency kits and more.

If your customer owns its own generator they should prepare by clearing debris and any obstructions away from the generator, with at least three feet of clearance on each side. They should ensure the inside of the enclosure is free of debris and inspect lines and connections for fuel or oil leaks. Also inspect the entire fuel system for signs of corrosion or other problems. Be sure to check batteries for proper charge and clean terminals, air filter, spark plugs and sediment traps. And watch the oil level, especially if the generator is going to run continuously.

Generac’s Hurricane Preparedness Guide is available at www.generac.com/resources/emergency-preparedness/hurricane-preparedness-guide/.

Hurricanes are, by their very nature, unpredictable. And, in recent years, hurricanes have occurred earlier in the season than ever before as well as later in the season. And they have occurred in places they hadn’t occurred before and farther inland.

The mean season is throwing surprises and curveballs so be as prepared as possible, starting with your own facilities. Helping customers with power issues during hurricanes takes a lot of preparation. It’s a profitable business and a humane one. You might find it profitable if you put in the work. And you might save someone’s life.