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The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will run from June 1 through November 30. According to the NOAA, forecasters predict “below-normal” storm activity during this period. However, it’s important to remember that even one tropical cyclone can significantly impact your safety, property, and finances.

It is always a good idea to prepare for hurricanes, especially during times when they are most likely to develop. By having a plan in place and reacting to weather alerts promptly, you will be better equipped to protect what matters most to you.

One of the first things affected by the storms will be your finances. Having enough in your budget to cover hurricane preparedness and recovery costs will make a difference.

A few expenses you may incur during this season may include:

• Emergency supplies
• Fuel and backup power
• Property protection measures
• Medications and first aid
• Home repairs
• Vehicle repairs

There are also material conditions to consider in the aftermath of the storm, such as prolonged power and communication outages, road closures, and even income disruptions if your workplace is affected.

As you can see, emergency preparedness and financial readiness are closely linked. Here’s what you can do now to ensure you and your money can weather the storms.

1. Review Your Emergency Savings and Revise Your Budget

An emergency fund lives up to its name during times when natural disasters are likely. If it’s been a while since you last checked your emergency savings, now is the time to give them an honest assessment.

Before retooling your emergency savings, it’s important to have your hurricane readiness plan in place. Having such a plan will allow you to dedicate your spending to the things that matter most, while minimizing the likelihood of waste.

A readiness plan may include:

• Evacuation plans and destinations
• Disaster kit contents and assembly
• Communication procedures
• Home strengthening measures
• Insurance policy checks and documentation

We highly recommend checking out NOAA’s primer on hurricane readiness, which offers sensible guidelines.

After reviewing the primer and establishing your own plan, you may start to get an idea of the costs you might incur while preparing for a storm. You may also need to anticipate unexpected costs that may arise in the wake of a tropical cyclone:

• Hotel stays
• Home repairs
• Food spoilage
• Evacuation expenses
• Gaps in insurance coverage
• Fuel for transportation or power
• Lost wages due to workplace closures

As you can see, covering hurricane-related expenses involves paying for what you need now while being mindful of what you might need in the future. Having access to dedicated emergency funds will help you prepare when it’s time to rebuild.

You can build your emergency savings now by setting aside a portion of your regular paycheck in a dedicated account. Splitting some of your emergency savings into a cash fund may also come in handy, especially if you’re traveling or anticipating power outages in your area.

Also, try to make your current spending do double-duty. For example, set aside part of your current grocery budget to pay for non-perishable items, like canned goods, that won’t require electricity or fuel to prepare.

2. Get Familiar With Your Insurance Before the Storms

Insurance policies are a significant factor that homeowners and renters alike must consider, especially during hurricane season. Now is the time to review your policy and become familiar with what your insurance covers.

One standout detail to look out for is whether you will need flood insurance. Generally, homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies do not have provisions for flooding. Therefore, you may need to purchase flood insurance separately.

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes has assembled an insurance guide to help readers make informed decisions. It’s an educational resource that teaches readers how to:

• Identify different types of insurance coverage
• Determine policies that best fit their needs
• File an insurance claim

Remember also to keep documentation and have it ready before any storms arrive. Print copies of your insurance documents and keep them in a safe place. Also, take photos and videos of possessions so you may use them in the claims filing process.

During this hurricane preparedness period, familiarize yourself with your insurance carrier’s claims process. Knowing the steps beforehand can help you save time and energy when it’s time to file a claim.

3. Know Your Options for Banking During Severe Weather

Depending on your hurricane preparedness plans, you may need to factor in how you will access and manage your finances during an emergency.

For instance, a location hit hard by a storm may experience prolonged power outages, making it difficult to access cash or initiate transfers. If the communications infrastructure is damaged, your smart device may have trouble maintaining a connection.

Include provisions in your emergency plans that outline how you will access your funds during the aftermath of a storm.

If evacuating to a different location is part of your plan, take a multi-front approach. It may be a good idea to have cash on hand for simple transactions. Meanwhile, you can use the banking app on your mobile device to set up card controls, travel notifications, transaction alerts, and even deposit checks.

If you are sheltering in place or your evacuation destination is also experiencing the effects of a tropical cyclone, automating your transactions is a proactive move.

Review the services you use the most (like subscriptions, energy, and utilities) and plan to pay your bills automatically. Some services allow you to set up automatic bill pay. Your financial institution may also offer a bill payer service, providing a central hub for reviewing and tracking payments.

Arranging payments in advance protects your peace of mind. When the storm passes and normalcy returns, automatic bill pay minimizes the chances that you’ll incur a penalty for missing a payment. This is an especially useful assurance if you are managing installments on a loan or credit card bill.

Preparedness Builds Confidence

Being prepared for a hurricane empowers you to respond quickly and decisively. Likewise, when you have the resources to put your plans into action, you are better positioned to protect what matters most to you.

By revising your savings and budget, becoming familiar with your insurance, and knowing how to access funds in an emergency, you have the power to respond effectively — well before a storm warning is issued.

All it takes is having a plan and sticking to it. Acting now will make a significant difference later.

First Florida empowers you to prepare for hurricane season with confidence. For more financial tips, check out our Featured Articles section.