Florida Hurricane Preparedness Guide 2025: Checklist & Tips

By John Nimmo - August 30, 2025

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Overview

Florida hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the best way to protect your family, home, and business is to prepare early. A smart Florida hurricane preparedness plan begins before the first disturbance forms: build a reliable Florida hurricane checklist, stock nonperishable disaster supplies, and keep those essentials topped up all season. Think in phases—before, during, and after—so you know exactly what to do during a hurricane in Florida and how to recover safely afterward.

Start with the basics most Floridians search for: one gallon of water per person per day (for 3–7 days), shelf-stable food, a first-aid kit, medications and copies of prescriptions, pet supplies, cash in small bills, flashlights with extra batteries, and a battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radio. Then harden your home: inspect the roof, seal around windows and doors, secure or store outdoor furniture, and reinforce the garage door—a common failure point. Plan for power outages with charged devices, power banks, and a generator used outdoors only (at least 20 feet from doors and windows) with working CO alarms indoors.

Know your local risk profile. Hurricane evacuation routes (Florida) are based on storm surge risk and differ from insurance flood zones tied to rainfall flooding. A property outside a surge zone can still flood from heavy rain. Use Florida’s “Know Your Zone” tools to confirm your evacuation zone (often A–E), learn multiple routes, and identify safe destinations—friends or family inland, pet-friendly hotels, or county shelters. If someone in your household has medical or access needs, register early for special needs shelters through your county.

Stay weather-aware with official sources. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone, monitor NOAA hurricane warnings, and follow the National Hurricane Center for forecast cones, track, and intensity updates. Remember: the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale measures wind, not rainfall or storm surge, so even a lower-category storm can produce life-threatening flooding. Never drive through floodwater—Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

When a system threatens Florida, shift from planning to action: confirm your Florida hurricane supplies list, top off prescriptions and vehicle fuel, test your generator, charge all devices, and secure your yard before tropical-storm-force winds arrive. If local officials issue orders, evacuate early to avoid traffic, rising water, and bridge closures. After the storm, check for a Florida boil water notice before using tap water for drinking, brushing teeth, or food prep, and document damage for insurance claims.

Trusted Florida resources (quick access):

Emergencies: Call 911 for medical emergencies or criminal activity.
FEMA shelter near me: Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 or visit FEMA.gov.
Florida shelters by county: Florida Division of Emergency Management — FloridaDisaster.org/shelters/
Immediate food/water/shelter: American Red Cross — 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
Active watches & warnings: NOAA Alerts — alerts.weather.gov (select your state/county)
Boil water notice lookup: Florida Department of Health — search Florida Boil Water Notices
Emotional support: HHS Disaster Distress Helpline — 1-800-985-5990 (24/7, multilingual, confidential)
Local referrals & community help: Dial 211

Preparedness Checklist

Complete this checklist to ensure your home and belongings are as protected as possible before a storm event hits.

Action
Close and lock your windows.
Inspect each window and door and reseal if necessary.
If your doors could use some additional reinforcing, purchase and install a bolt kit from a hardware store.
Bring all outdoor furniture, decor and children’s toys inside.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their highest settings as a precaution to eliminate food waste due to power outage.
Find a “safe zone” in your home.
Move your hurricane supplies to your “safe zone.”
Print out your insurance coverage documents and store them in a waterproof container.
Review your insurance coverage.
Use surge protectors to protect your electrical appliances and property.
Fill an extra bathtub with water if possible or fill empty gallon jugs/2-liter bottles with water to use for showering, cleaning and rinsing.

Hurricane Supply Checklist

Item / Notes
Water — One gallon daily per person for 3–7 days
Food — Enough for 7 days
Non-perishable, packaged or canned food
Formula and food for infants or those with dietary needs
Non-electric can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils
Flashlights and extra batteries
First aid kit, sunscreen and bug spray
Medications — two week minimum supply
Radio — Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
Special items for babies, the elderly and those with special needs
Toiletries
Full tank of gas in your vehicle
Ensure electronic devices such as cell phones and back-up batteries are fully charged. Car chargers are useful to help charge devices if you don’t have power.
Spare propane tank or charcoal for your grill, along with matches or lighters
Cash — banks and ATMs may not be available
Important documents in a waterproof container**
Insurance cards
Medical records
Bank account and credit card information
Social Security cards
Birth and marriage certificates
Documentation of valuables
Important phone numbers
Pet care items — Enough food, water and medication items to last 7 days
Pet care items — Identification and vaccination information
Pet care items — A carrier or cage
Pet care items — Leash and muzzle
Portable battery bank for electronic devices

List Of Storm Names

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Andrea	Humberto	Olga
Barry	Imelda	Pablo
Chantal	Jerry	Rebekah
Dexter	Karen	Sebastien
Erin	Lorenzo	Tanya
Fernand	Melissa	Van
Gabrielle	Nestor	Wendy

Understanding the Storm

Watch vs. Warning

Status	Meaning	What to Do
Hurricane Watch	Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of at least 74 mph) are possible in the announced area within 48 hours.	Trigger your family’s disaster plan and begin proactive measures (secure a boat, leave a barrier island, etc.).
Hurricane Warning	Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of at least 74 mph) are expected in the announced area within 36 hours.	Complete proactive actions and move to the safest location to be during the storm.

The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Category	Sustained Winds	Impacts
Category 1	74–95 mph	Dangerous winds will produce some damage. The damage is primarily contained to shrubbery, trees, foliage and unanchored homes; damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters could result.
Category 2	96–110 mph	Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window damage. No major damage to buildings.
Category 3	111–129 mph	Devastating damage will occur. Large trees blown down. Major damage to and removal of roof; some window and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and loose debris.
Category 4	130–156 mph	Catastrophic damage will occur. Severe damage to roofing materials, windows, doors and exterior walls. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and debris. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Category 5	157+ mph	Catastrophic damage will occur. A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore.

Planning Before a Hurricane

Family Plan

1) Create a Family Emergency Plan

Decide where you will go, how you will get there, and how you’ll communicate if separated.

Evacuation routes: Learn your county’s routes and practice them before the season.
Meeting points: Pick one nearby and one out-of-area. Share the locations with family and caregivers.
Contacts: Keep printed lists of key numbers (family, neighbors, doctor, insurer).
Check-in protocol: Agree on a primary and backup method (texts, group chat, radio channel).
Responsibilities: Assign tasks—supplies, shutters, pet care, charging devices, fueling vehicles.

Supplies

2) Build a 72-Hour (to 7-Day) Kit

Aim for three days minimum; many Florida counties recommend up to a week.

Water & food: 1 gallon/person/day; non-perishables; infant/special-diet items; manual can opener.
Health: Prescription meds (7–14 day supply), first-aid, copies of prescriptions, glasses/contacts.
Power & light: Flashlights, headlamps, extra batteries, battery/hand-crank radio, power banks.
Sanitation: Hygiene items, hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, trash bags, toilet paper.
Comfort & safety: Sturdy shoes, work gloves, dust/N95 masks, blankets, earplugs for kids.
Cash: Small bills in case card systems or ATMs are down.
Documents: IDs, insurance cards, medical records in a waterproof pouch.

Home

3) Harden & Prepare Your Home

Roof & openings: Fix loose shingles; check seals; install shutters/plywood on windows and doors.
Garage door: Brace or replace with a hurricane-rated model—this is a common failure point.
Yard scan: Bring in furniture and decor; tie down grills; clear gutters and drains.
Trees: Trim dead or weak limbs; hire pros for large trees near lines.
Flood prep: Elevate appliances and valuables; move vehicles to higher ground.

Vehicle

4) Ready Your Vehicle

Fuel: Fill up early; keep spare fuel safely stored if permitted.
Maintenance: Tires, brakes, wipers, fluids, spare tire and jack.
Go-bags: Water, snacks, first-aid, chargers, paper maps; pet carrier/leash if evacuating with animals.

Power

5) Power & Communications

Charging plan: Top off phones, radios, and power banks; set devices to low-power mode.
Generator safety: Run outdoors at least 20 ft from openings; never in a garage; install CO alarms.
Stay informed: NOAA Weather Radio; county text/email alerts; reliable local news.

Records

6) Insurance & Documentation

Policy review: Know your hurricane deductible and what is/ isn’t covered (wind vs. flood).
Inventory: Photograph rooms and high-value items; save serial numbers; back up to cloud + USB.
Receipts: Keep proof of purchases and any temporary repair costs for claims.

Shelter

7) Evacuation & Sheltering

Know Your Zone: Check your surge zone and nearest shelters; plan multiple destinations (friend/family, hotel, shelter).
Timing: Leave early to avoid traffic and bridge closures if orders are issued.
Shelter kit: IDs, medications, chargers, earplugs, snacks, bedding, and comfort items for kids.

Pets & Care

8) Pets, Seniors & Access Needs

Pets: Vaccination records, carriers, leashes, food, water, and familiar toys; confirm pet-friendly shelters/housing.
Medical devices: Backup power and batteries for mobility aids, oxygen, or refrigeration needs.
Care network: Coordinate with caregivers and neighbors for wellness checks after the storm.

Staying Safe During the Hurricane

Indoors

Stay Indoors

Shelter in a small, windowless interior room on the lowest level not at risk of flooding. Avoid windows and glass doors. If you live in a mobile home, relocate to a sturdier building before conditions deteriorate. Use mattresses or cushions to reinforce interior protection if needed, and keep sturdy shoes on in case you need to move through debris.

Flooding

Avoid Flooded Areas

Never walk or drive through floodwater—six inches can knock you over and two feet can carry away a car. Heed storm surge warnings and stay out of flooded buildings where structural or electrical hazards may be hidden. Keep children and pets out of floodwater.

Power

Limit Electronics Usage

Conserve battery life. Use devices for essentials only, rely on text messages when possible, and keep power banks for critical communication. Unplug non-essential electronics to protect from surges. Use generators outdoors only—at least 20 feet from openings—with CO alarms inside.

Alerts

Listen for Alerts

Monitor local news, NOAA Weather Radio, and official alerts for changes in track, intensity, and evacuation guidance. Follow directions from local authorities and avoid rumor-based updates on social media.

Rising Water

If Water Is Rising

Move to higher levels quickly. Bring phones, chargers, and your go-bag. Do not enter a closed attic unless you have a way to exit to the roof; many people have become trapped. Call 911 if you are in danger and follow rescue guidance.

Storm Timeline Playbook

When	Do This	Notes
5–7 days out	Review zone & routes; top off prescriptions; check shutters & generator; start freezing water jugs/ice.	Track official NHC forecasts; avoid rumor sharing.
72–48 hours	Fuel vehicles; withdraw cash; secure lawn furniture; test sump/backup power; confirm where you’ll go if ordered to evacuate.	Consider early move if in Zone A/B or mobile home.
36–24 hours	Install shutters; set fridge/freezer to coldest; charge devices & battery packs; pack Go Bags; help neighbors with access needs.	Finish outdoor work before winds pick up.
12 hours & during	Shelter away from windows; keep shoes on; avoid floodwaters; use generator outdoors only; monitor alerts (NOAA Weather Radio).	“Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” Never drive through water.
After landfall	Wait for all-clear; watch for downed lines; document damage; contact insurer/FEMA; check on neighbors.	Use texts instead of voice calls to reduce network load.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a Watch and a Warning?

Watch: conditions are possible within 48 hours. Warning: expected within 36 hours—finish prep and follow local orders.

How much water should I store?

At least one gallon per person per day for a minimum of three days. Many Florida households aim for a seven-day supply when possible.

Do I need flood insurance?

Homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover flood damage. Consider a separate flood policy; there’s often a 30-day waiting period unless tied to certain loan or map changes.

Are generators safe indoors?

Never. Operate generators outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

What should go in my go-bag?

IDs, cash, medications and prescriptions, chargers, basic first-aid, snacks/water, a flashlight, copies of insurance, pet supplies, and comfort items for kids.

Is tap water safe after a hurricane?

Follow local boil-water advisories. Until cleared, use bottled or properly disinfected water for drinking, brushing teeth, and food prep.

Where can I see current evacuation orders?

Check the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s evacuation information and your county emergency management channels.

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