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The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1. According to the NOAA, meteorologists predict “above normal” activity for tropical cyclones this year.

Florida and its residents are no strangers to tropical storms and hurricanes. At the same time, it’s easy to become complacent and not adequately prepare for what could come during hurricane season.

For this reason, we encourage everyone at risk of encountering severe weather to take proper precautions during storm season. This year is no different.

Here’s what you can do now to prepare for this year’s storm season.

First: Have a Plan

More often than not, trying to come up with a plan when a tropical disturbance is a mere few days away from landfall may not give you enough time to prepare. Having an actionable plan in place now will significantly reduce the stress for you and your family. That way, when local authorities tell you to evacuate or bunker down, it’s easier to spring into action with fewer hang-ups.

Have your action items in order now so it’s easier to carry things out when a storm approaches. Some things to consider:

• Are you in an evacuation zone?
• Will you hit the road or shelter in place when the warning is issued?
• Do you have sufficient supplies for your plans?
• Are your finances in order for the days or weeks after a storm?
• Is your insurance up to date, and do you have sufficient coverage?
  

These are questions that have many different answers, so it’s important to think about them while you have the time to do so.

Whether you plan to stay in place or evacuate, both choices will require organized finances to minimize the possible disruptions in your daily life. We’ll go over them now.

Wrangling Your Finances Before the Storms Hit

The Radio Television Digital News Association has a great article on financial preparedness for hurricane season. They provide some valuable pointers on how to save money or prepare your finances in anticipation of expenses incurred before and immediately following a tropical cyclone.

These tips include:

• Having digital backups of your identification, insurance policies, tax returns, and other important documents on a USB drive
• Storing physical documents in a watertight, safe container
• Keeping cash on hand, including small bills
  

Another thing you can do? Setting automatic payments and direct deposits with your service providers and financial institution, where possible. You can’t count on service providers to make exceptions for places affected by forces of nature, and missing a payment may result in the cancellation of your services or leave a negative impact on your credit.

Automating payments where possible reduces the likelihood of penalties or service disruptions when things return to normal.

It is also worth noting that many of the payment options we take for granted now may not be viable in the aftermath of a storm. Credit cards require a functioning power grid to operate at point-of-sale (POS) terminals. Payment apps on phones also need a working cell network, which may be offline or damaged. As such, have cash on hand to pay for essentials while the communications infrastructure is being repaired.

Keep Your Eyes and Ears Out for Advisories

As with every hurricane season, it’s essential to stay informed and be vigilant for communications from your local government and public safety officials. Florida is no stranger to inclement weather. Nevertheless, every advisory should be treated with the utmost care and attention it deserves.

Ensure you stay tuned to local news stations for the latest weather updates and alerts. Additionally, be aware of the communication channels that your local officials use to issue warnings and advisories.

In Florida, many cities and low-lying areas are prone to flooding. Visit your city’s resources to see if your home is in a flood-prone area or evacuation zone. This is also a good time to re-familiarize yourself with evacuation routes. Anticipate how some longstanding highways may have been affected by recent construction or closures and re-draft your evacuation plans accordingly.

Make Sure You Are Stocked Sufficiently

If you’re in a place that allows you to shelter in place, take the necessary steps to ensure your home is ready to withstand the storms. Inspect your home’s entryways, windows, and roofing to verify they’re up to standard. Replace and reinforce them as needed.

Also, have your supplies ready for extended power outages. The federal government has a good supplies checklist that you may use as a starting point. Anticipate that you may not be able to leave your home or may lose access to power and running water for at least a week. Key supplies include:

• Bottled water for every person in your house
• Supplements and prescribed medications
• Ready-to-use food and canned goods
• Flashlights, batteries, and power supplies
• Spare water for laundry and flushing
• Wireless radio or satellite-enabled device
• Watertight containers for documents
• Books or games that don’t require electricity for recreation
  

When it comes to weathering the storms, it is always better to be prepared. Prioritize your safety this hurricane season and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

First Florida is committed to upholding the safety of its membership. You can find notices on our website or at our branches regarding weather-related closures or safety advisories.