Abstract: The present application is directed to a hurricane curtain system having a mountable retractable curtain rod assembly and a flexible curtain used to protect openings on a structure from wind and wind-driven debris. The hurricane curtain system can be permanently mounted to the inside portion of an opening in a dwelling such as a window wherein the retractable curtain rod is concealed by a decorative valance. The hurricane curtain is designed to be easily deployed when needed and once deployed will allow natural light to pass through to the inside of the structure. The invention is also directed to a hurricane curtain system that can be mounted to the outside of a structure to cover an opening when necessary and compactly stored when not in use.