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Living in Florida, hurricanes are a yearly threat. According to the National Weather Service, roughly 12 tropical storms, 6 of which become hurricanes, form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or the Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.

If you’ve experienced hurricane season in the past, you know how quickly a hurricane can escalate and how stressful it can be when you aren’t prepared. We’re urging everyone to begin preparations now during Hurricane Preparedness Week.

The National Weather Service has put together a checklist of things to do before hurricane seasons begins:

1. Know your zone - Evacuation zones indicate which areas are more vulnerable to a storm. Take time to plan your evacuation route and what items you’ll bring with you, such as a ready-to-go bag of supplies and carriers for pets. Find your home’s evacuation zone through your local government/emergency management office or start Develop an evacuation plan.

2. Know your risk - Hurricanes bring many hazards to U.S. coastlines and inland areas, including storm surges along the coast, inland flooding, high winds, and tornadoes. Depending on your vulnerability, you’ll need to be adequately prepared if you stay or evacuate.

3. Prepare your emergency kit - A good emergency kit includes the necessities for at least three days in the event of power loss or damage. Basic kits should consist of food, water, batteries, chargers, and a radio. You’ll also want to have cash on hand and any necessary medicine or prescriptions when the time comes. You can find a complete list of recommended items in our article on Hurricane Preparedness.

4. Create an emergency plan - Before an emergency happens, talk to your family about how you will contact each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Write your plan down and include it in your emergency kit for reference.

5. Know your insurance policies – Now is the best time to review your insurance policies and make a copy to keep with you. Make sure you have adequate coverage in the event of an emergency. Consider adding flood insurance to your policy. Most flood insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period before a claim can be made, so act now.

6. Strengthen your home - Strong winds can cause a lot of flying debris. Trimming your trees now will help prevent them from breaking and causing damage. Have supplies ready to board windows and doors (including garage doors) and secure loose items. You can find helpful how-to videos and checklists to secure your home.  

7. Help Your Neighbors - People rely on their neighbors before and after disasters. Don’t hesitate to ask if they need assistance to prepare, especially neighbors who require physical assistance. You may also want to join Nextdoor online or through the app to stay connected to your community and share helpful resources.  

Don’t wait until a hurricane is approaching to gather supplies. Stores often run out of necessities quickly during an emergency. Make a plan to act now to protect yourself and your family.