Florida
You've boarded windows and hoped for the best. You've watched the cone shift toward your zip code and felt your stomach drop. Most people have been there. The good news: closing the gap between that feeling and a real plan is simpler than most people think.
Your risk profile
Most people wait until a storm is named to start making decisions. By then, stores are stripped, roads are jammed, and options have narrowed. The people who move calmly through hurricane season made their key decisions weeks earlier. That's the gap.
Flooding causes more weather-related deaths in the U.S. than any other event in most years, but the survival skills are straightforward. Knowing that six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet and twelve inches can carry a vehicle is the kind of awareness that changes decisions in the moment. That's the gap.
Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States, but recognizing the early signs of heat illness is a learnable skill. Most people have never practiced identifying those signs in themselves or others, especially under Florida's humidity. That's the gap.
Florida ranks third nationally in tornado frequency. Many are spawned by hurricane outer bands or afternoon thunderstorms, giving little warning time compared to Great Plains tornadoes.
When Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa on September 28, 2022, as a Category 4 storm, families who had evacuation plans and knew their zones moved early and safely. 161 people in Florida did not make it out. The difference was almost always preparation, not luck. Total damage exceeded $110 billion.
Source: National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ian
Only 48% of Floridians living in evacuation zones have an actual evacuation plan. Most people know a storm is coming but haven't decided where they're going, what route they're taking, or what they're bringing. Closing that gap is simpler than most people think, and it's the single highest-leverage thing you can do before June.
Source: Florida Division of Emergency Management Statewide Survey
Monthly risk calendar
| Hazard | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane | ||||||||||||
| Flood | ||||||||||||
| Extreme Heat | ||||||||||||
| Tornado |
Action items for this season
- Hurricane (Jun): Review your hurricane plan and confirm evacuation routes before June 1.
- Hurricane (Jul): Check that your shutters, plywood, or impact glass are ready to deploy.
- Flood (Jun): Check your flood zone designation at floridadisaster.org. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding.
- Flood (Jul): Clear storm drains near your property. Test your sump pump if you have one.
- Extreme Heat (May): Service your air conditioning before summer demand peaks and repair wait times grow.
- Extreme Heat (Jul): Know the signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, fast and weak pulse, nausea. Act before it becomes heat stroke.
What are the real risks of living in Florida?
Hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat, and tornadoes. Florida has been struck by more hurricanes than any other U.S. state.
Since 1851, Florida has experienced 120 tropical cyclone landfalls (hurricanes and tropical storms), more than any other state. The peninsula's geography means exposure from both the Atlantic and Gulf sides. Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane deaths, which is why knowing your evacuation zone matters more than tracking wind speed. Inland flooding from rain can affect areas hundreds of miles from the coast. Between hurricane seasons, Florida averages 66 tornadoes per year and routinely records heat indices above 110 degrees in summer months. Each of these risks is manageable with the right preparation.
Source: NOAA Historical Hurricane Tracks
How do you know if you are in a flood zone?
Check your address on FEMA's flood map or the Florida Division of Emergency Management's Know Your Zone tool. Your flood zone determines your insurance requirements and evacuation priority.
Florida has more properties at risk of flooding than any other state, with over 2.6 million properties facing substantial flood risk. FEMA designates Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones starting with A or V) where flood insurance is required for federally backed mortgages. But flooding regularly occurs outside these zones. According to FEMA, over 40% of National Flood Insurance Program claims come from outside high-risk flood zones. If you own property in Florida, you need flood insurance regardless of your zone designation.
What should you actually have ready before hurricane season?
Water (1 gallon per person per day for 7 days), medications, documents in waterproof storage, cash, a full tank of gas, and a specific plan for where you will go if ordered to evacuate.
After a major hurricane, you should expect to be without power for days or weeks. In Hurricane Irma (2017), some parts of the Florida Keys lost power for over a month. Cell towers fail. Water treatment plants lose pressure. Gas stations cannot pump fuel. Your plan needs to account for the reality that normal infrastructure stops working. If you rely on electricity for medical equipment, you need a backup power plan before the season starts. If you have pets, confirm that your evacuation destination accepts them. If you take prescription medications, keep a 30-day supply on hand from June through November.
What is the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning?
A watch means hurricane conditions are possible in your area within 48 hours. A warning means hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. When a warning is issued for your area, your preparation window is closing.
The National Hurricane Center issues watches and warnings based on forecast models, but the exact track can shift significantly within that window. Do not wait for a warning to act. When a watch is issued, you should already have supplies, know your evacuation zone, and have a destination identified. When a warning is issued, you should be executing your plan, not making one. Evacuation orders come from your county emergency management office, not the NHC. Follow your county's instructions, not the national news.
Source: National Hurricane Center
Should you evacuate or shelter in place?
That depends on your evacuation zone, the storm's forecast surge, and the structural rating of your home. There is no single right answer, but there is a wrong one: deciding in the moment without information.
Florida uses a zone-based evacuation system (Zones A through E, plus non-evacuation zones) tied to storm surge risk, not wind. If your county orders your zone to evacuate, that order is based on life-threatening surge projections for your specific area. You should know your zone before the season starts. If you live in a mobile or manufactured home, you should evacuate for any hurricane regardless of your zone. If you are in a concrete block home outside the surge zone, sheltering in place may be appropriate for a Category 1 or 2 storm. For Category 3 and above, follow your county's order without hesitation. Storm surge was the leading cause of death in Hurricane Ian. In many of those cases, evacuation orders had been issued. The people who followed those orders survived. That pattern repeats in nearly every major Florida hurricane.
Who do I call in Florida?
Emergency contacts
Florida Division of Emergency Management
850-815-4000For state-level disaster information, evacuation orders, and shelter locations during an active event.
“State your county, describe your situation, and ask for the nearest open shelter or evacuation route.”
Expected response: They will direct you to your county emergency management office or provide shelter information.
FEMA Region IV
800-621-3362After a federally declared disaster, to register for assistance with housing, repairs, or other recovery needs.
“Have your Social Security number, address of damaged property, current contact information, and insurance details ready.”
Expected response: FEMA will assign you a registration number and schedule a home inspection if applicable.
Poison Control
800-222-1222If you suspect poisoning from contaminated water, spoiled food after power loss, generator carbon monoxide exposure, or chemical contact during cleanup.
Expected response: A toxicology specialist will provide immediate guidance. Available 24/7.
Florida Power & Light (FPL) Emergency Line
800-468-8243To report a downed power line, power outage, or electrical hazard. Do not approach downed lines.
Expected response: Automated system will log your outage. For downed lines, a crew will be dispatched as conditions allow.
211 Florida
211For non-emergency assistance including food, shelter, mental health support, and disaster recovery resources.
Expected response: A trained specialist will connect you to local services in your county.
How does Florida compare?
Hurricane landfalls since 1851
Source: NOAA Historical Hurricane Tracks
Properties at substantial flood risk
Source: First Street Foundation National Flood Risk Assessment
Average annual tornadoes
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center
Heat-related illness emergency visits
Source: Florida Department of Health Environmental Health Data
Related states
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Florida will always be in the path of hurricanes. But the people who move through them calmly share one thing: they decided what to do before the first band arrived. That's a skill, and you can build it.