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

As experienced in the past, we know how quickly a hurricane can escalate. That’s why 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 in the event of a storm. You can easily find your home’s evacuation zone through your local government/emergency management office.
   
   
2. Know your risk. Hurricanes bring many hazards to U.S. coastlines and inland areas, including storm surge along the coast, inland flooding, and high winds. 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. 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. Make sure you have adequate coverage in the event of an emergency.  
   
   
6. Strengthen your home. Strong winds can cause of 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.  

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.