Florida Hurricane Season: June 1st – November 30th
Living in Florida means being prepared. We’ve personally experienced power outages lasting
7–12 days (not common, but it can happen). This guide is designed to help Florida homeowners, families, and pet owners prepare early, stay safe, and recover quickly.
Prior to hurricane season (April/May)
1. Create Your Hurricane Plan
• Develop a clear evacuation plan
• Choose an out-of-state contact person
• Use location-sharing technology
• Identify local evacuation shelters
• Pre-register pets for shelters (if required)
2. Review Insurance Coverage
• Verify your homeowners insurance
• Understand deductibles
• Consider flood insurance (even outside high-risk zones)
• Remember: FEMA flood policies have a 30-day waiting period
• Store policy numbers and agent contact info on your phone
3. Document Your Home
• Take a video walkthrough of your home
• Record major purchases (receipts, serial numbers, dates)
• Store copies in cloud storage and paper backup
4. Property Maintenance
• Trim tree branches near your home, roof, fences, and sheds
• Secure fencing
• Check roof and gutters
Stockpile Supplies (Start in early January)
Spreading out purchases helps manage cost. Watch for Florida sales tax holidays on disaster supplies.
Food & Water
• Canned goods (beans, vegetables, fruit, tuna)
• Granola bars, nuts, peanut butter
• Pet food (dry or canned backup)
• MREs (Meals Ready to Eat)
• 1 gallon of water per person per day (plus extra for pets)
• Create and store ice in freezer bags
Paper & Essentials
• Paper plates, cups, utensils
• Napkins and paper towels
• Hand wipes and sanitizer
• Cash in small bills
Generator & Cooking Supplies
• Test your generator
• Extra gasoline (stored safely)
• Propane tanks
• Charcoal
• Grill
Create a Hurricane “Go Bag”
Even if you store documents digitally, assume you may have no power or connectivity.
Important Documents
• Insurance policies (home, auto, life)
• Wills
• Utility bills
• Bank phone numbers
• Birth certificates
• Social Security cards
• Passports
• Pet vaccination records
• For Children & Pets
• Favorite toys or comfort items
• Pet carriers
• Updated microchip information
When a Storm is Approaching
• Fill all vehicle gas tanks
• Refill medications (including pets)
• Fill extra gas cans
• Bring patio furniture indoors (or place in pool if needed)
• Store valuables on higher shelves
• Fill bathtubs with water for toilet flushing
• A bathtub holds about 42 gallons
• Toilets use 1.5–4 gallons per flush
• Flush only when necessary during outages
After the Storm
Safety First
• Avoid flooded areas and puddles (downed power lines possible)
• Do not drive through floodwaters
• Run generators outdoors in ventilated areas only
Fuel Strategy
• Refill gas cans for the generator early in the morning when possible
Community Support
• Help neighbors if able
• Donate to nearby affected counties
• After hurricane season, donate unused food supplies and restock over the next 6 months
General Hurricane Supply List
• Manual can opener
• Waterproof matches
• Propane & gasoline
• Grill & charcoal
• Lighters & candles
• Chainsaw
• Batteries
• Flashlights
• Portable AC
• Battery-powered fans
• Battery-powered radio
• Generator
• First aid kit
• Canned goods
• Water
• Cooler (5–10 day rated)
• Ice
• Rain gear
• Sturdy shoes
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Fire extinguisher
• Tools (including ax)
• Tarps
Florida Hurricane Preparation Tips for Homeowners
• Prepare early — don’t wait for a named storm
• Plan for extended power outages
• Protect important documents
• Understand your insurance coverage
• Always prioritize safety over property
If you’re a Florida homeowner, preparing before hurricane season can reduce stress, financial loss, and safety risks.
Stay safe, stay prepared — and take care of your neighbors. 🌴