How to Prepare for This Year’s Florida Hurricane Season

Florida’s hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and during this six month span, homeowners can face significant risks. Since there is no way to stop a major hurricane from making landfall, being well-prepared is your best defense.

Drawing on the University of Central Florida’s expert advice and broader preparedness strategies, here are eight essential considerations for staying safe and resilient during Florida’s unpredictable hurricane season.

1. Secure Flood Insurance Early

While coastal homes tend to be the most at risk, the truth is that even homeowners living well outside of designated flood zones can often find themselves facing flooding risks during and after a hurricane.

UCF recommends purchasing flood insurance well before a storm strikes, noting that just one inch of floodwater can cause over $25,000 in damage. On average, such coverage costs about $660 annually for $250,000 in protection.

2. Stock Up on Seven Days Worth of Supplies

Build an emergency stash with all the food, water, and necessities your family (including your pets) will need to last at least a week. UCF advises stocking seven gallons of water per person—about one gallon per day—and non-perishable, protein-rich foods like peanut butter.

3. Use Multi-Use Storage Containers

Invest in 5-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids. These are ideal for storing a wide variety of important things that you will want to keep dry, such as documents, electronics, medicine, and food. When sealed properly, these buckets can even float, which will be critical in the event you are dealing with flooding.

4. Plan Your Evacuation Strategy Now

Have a detailed evacuation plan in place before warning sirens start to blare. UCF stresses coordinating meeting points and communicating with family because “failure to plan equals planned failure.”

5. Activate Emergency Alerts on Mobile Devices

Enable emergency notifications on all your family’s mobile devices. These alerts often provide faster, more precise updates than standard broadcasts and they can help ensure you stay informed even when you’re not at home.

6. Keep Your Vehicle and Emergency Tools Ready

Prepare each vehicle, so that it is ready to go in the event of an evacuation. Keep your vehicles fueled up and store an emergency escape tool in each one. These tools will prove invaluable, and life-saving, if you need to cut seatbelts or break glass in the event of a critical situation.

7. Support Your Neighbors

Community is one of your most powerful assets during crises. UCF urges checking in on neighbors—especially the elderly or those needing extra help—before, during, and after emergencies.

8. Avoid Counterproductive “Do-Nots”

UCF highlights several things you should NOT do during hurricane season in Florida. These include:

• Don’t let your gas tank dip below half: Widespread fuel scarcity often follows high impact storms.
• Don’t rely on window tape: Window tape won’t prevent breakage and in fact, it may cause harm when removed.
• Don’t disregard expert guidance: Always listen to emergency officials and meteorologists. Don’t fall for rumors or assumptions. Too much is at risk to not listen to the facts.

Pulling It All Together for Proactive Preparation for Hurricane Season

While the dates of Florida’s hurricane season are predictable, the storms and their impacts aren’t always as easy to nail down. Thus, acting early needs to be prioritized because good preparation offers greater peace of mind and valuable practical advantages.

By integrating the above eight strategies, you’ll be far better positioned to keep your loved ones safe. Remember—when you can respond effectively, you can recover faster.