GuidesEnvironmental and housing risk7 min read

Florida hurricane preparedness for households

In Florida the decisions that matter are made in June, not the week a storm forms, because supplies, shutters, and coverage changes all have lead times.

Know your evacuation zone and your surge risk

Evacuation orders in Florida are based on storm surge zones, not on wind category or on how sturdy the house feels.

Look up your evacuation zone with your county emergency management office
Note whether you live in a mobile or manufactured home, which is usually evacuated first
Pick a destination inland or out of state, plus a backup, and confirm it accepts pets
Save two routes, since interstates back up and fuel runs short along them

Protect the building before the season

Openings fail first. Once a watch is posted, panels and installers are gone.

Fit shutters, panels, or impact-rated windows and label each panel to its opening
Brace or replace the garage door, the largest opening on most homes
Trim trees away from the roof and clear gutters and yard drains
Decide in advance where patio furniture, grills, and planters go

Sort out wind, flood, and deductibles

Florida policies split perils and use a separate percentage deductible for hurricanes, so the out-of-pocket number surprises people mid-claim.

Confirm whether wind is included or written as a separate windstorm policy
Buy flood coverage separately, and remember the 30-day NFIP waiting period
Read your hurricane deductible, typically 2 to 5 percent of the dwelling limit
Keep a home inventory, policy numbers, and photos in the cloud

Supplies for heat without power

The hard part of a Florida storm is usually the week after, with no air conditioning and long fuel lines.

Seven days of water and no-cook food per person
Battery fans, power banks, coolers, and ice, plus a plan for medication that needs cold
A generator run outdoors only, at least 20 feet from windows, with fuel stored safely
Cash, a full tank, prescriptions refilled, and documents in a waterproof bag

The last 72 hours

Work backward from landfall so nothing important lands on the final day.

72 hours out: fuel up, refill prescriptions, install panels, confirm your destination
48 hours out: freeze water bottles, charge everything, photograph each room
24 hours out: bring in loose items, fill the bathtub for washing, leave if ordered
Landfall: stay in an interior room away from windows and skylights

Common questions

How do I find my Florida evacuation zone?

Your county emergency management office publishes a zone lookup by address. Zones are based on storm surge, so two nearby homes can be in different zones.

Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane flooding in Florida?

No. Wind damage falls under your homeowners or windstorm policy, while rising water and storm surge require separate flood insurance, which usually has a 30-day waiting period.

What is a hurricane deductible?

It is a separate deductible that applies only to hurricane damage, set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home a 2 percent deductible is $8,000.

See where your household stands

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