Hurricane season is part of life on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Most years, storms stay well offshore and late summer carries on the way it always does, with warm Gulf water, long golden sunsets, and beaches that feel a little more relaxed once school is back in session. But every so often, a storm makes its way toward Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and the days that follow have a way of showing what a vacation rental company is really made of.
At Brett/Robinson, we’ve been part of this coastline for more than 40 years, and we believe a rental company proves its value through the decisions it makes, the way it communicates, and the care it gives its properties when plans change. Here’s a look at how we supported our guests when Hurricane Isaias came through, and how our team worked to get owners’ condos back in shape and ready to welcome vacationers again.
“Although we are disappointed in not being able to come and enjoy our vacation this weekend, I wanted to highlight the communication of this company. They sent text, email and called to make sure we were aware of them cancelling our trip AHEAD of the hurricane. I believe they truly took into account the safety of their guests and employees. I thank them for not holding our money hostage during a stressful situation. It costs a lot of money to be able to go on vacations these days...money that we all work hard for. I appreciate them doing the right thing. For that alone we will be using them again in the future.” - Alana
Supporting our guests
Isaias became the first hurricane of the 2026 season after forming in the southwestern Gulf in early October, with forecasters tracking it toward the northern Gulf Coast. It strengthened into a Category 2 hurricane as it approached, and Governor Kay Ivey ordered non-residents to evacuate Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Dauphin Island.
For anyone who had an upcoming beach trip or who were already on vacation, that order either meant canceling travel plans or packing up early. That’s when our focus turned to our guests’ reservations.
We decided early to keep things simple for guests. Rather than asking families to sort through paperwork or wait on an answer, we were the first company to offer refunds to guests affected by the storm.
Guests with upcoming stays affected by Isaias received full refunds, no questions asked. There was no requirement to rebook, and no one had to accept a credit in place of their money.
Guests who were already staying with us when the evacuation order came through received partial refunds, also with no questions asked. Leaving the beach early is never part of the plan, and we wanted those families to head home knowing their reservation was taken care of.
Outside of this storm, our rental terms and conditions spell out how evacuations are handled: when civil authorities mandate an evacuation, guests receive a refund for the unused portion of their stay. Refunds aren’t given for bad weather alone, so it’s worth reviewing the policy before you book any trip during hurricane season.
“Brett Robinson went above and beyond to help us with a room issue as well as updating us about the upcoming weather issues.” - Jody
Recovery for owners
For owners in our rental program, the work started once the storm moved through. A condo sitting empty after a hurricane isn’t earning anything, so getting units cleaned, checked, and back on the booking calendar was a top priority.
Recovery after a hurricane requires a lot of work, from checking on individual units to cleanup and getting condos back to the standard our guests expect. We brought multiple team members together to handle it, which let us restore properties faster without skipping the details.
We also used AI technology during recovery to help with reporting and getting units ready for business. Better reporting gave our team a clearer, faster picture of where each property stood, so units could move back into rotation sooner.
Our goal after any storm stays the same: protect the property, keep recovery moving, and get rentals back to welcoming guests as soon as it’s safe to do so. If you own a condo in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach and are considering a management partner, we encourage you to learn more about joining the Brett/Robinson rental program.
“We checked out early due to a hurricane coming in, and checkout was one simple button push. Two notifications came through for the approaching storm and an early checkout with refund was offered.” - Leah
Booking during hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, which covers some of the best weeks of the year to visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Most of those weeks pass without a storm, but a little planning goes a long way when one does show up.
Every rental company handles storms differently. Look for a written policy that explains what happens if an evacuation is ordered, and ask how and when refunds are paid out. If a company can’t give you a clear answer, that’s worth noting before you put down a payment.
A rental policy won’t cover every situation, like deciding to cancel because of the forecast before any evacuation is ordered. That’s where travel insurance can help. We offer travel protection through Generali Global Assistance, which includes trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage for covered reasons.
If a storm is in the forecast, check the official City of Gulf Shores and City of Orange Beach websites for updates on beach access, roads, and reopenings. Our live beach webcams are also an easy way to see what the shoreline looks like before you hit the road.
A company with staff on the ground in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach can give you accurate updates as a storm develops and help you plan once it passes. Local teams also know the area well enough to answer the practical questions that come up, from road conditions to when amenities are back up and running.
Your next Gulf Coast stay
Late summer and early fall are still some of our favorite times to welcome guests to the beach. The Gulf stays warm, the summer crowds thin out, and it’s easier to find an open stretch of sand.
Families who want plenty to do onsite at their vacation condo love Phoenix Gulf Towers, with its lazy river, water slide, and splash pad. If you’d like to be near The Wharf in Orange Beach, Phoenix West puts you close to shopping, dining, and entertainment. And Phoenix Gulf Shores sits within walking distance of Gulf Place and downtown restaurants.
Popular dates get booked quickly, so it’s worth reserving as early as possible. Browse our full selection of Gulf Shores rentals and Orange Beach rentals and book directly with us for your next stay! We look forward to welcoming you to the Gulf Coast.