Living With Hurricanes in Florida: A Practical Guide From Someone Who’s Been Through Dozens

Florida inspires a love–hate relationship. Sunshine and beaches… and hurricanes. I lived in Florida for over a decade and rode out dozens of storms. This guide distills what actually helps—so the season (June 1–Nov 30, peaking late summer into early fall) feels manageable, not terrifying.

Hurricane Basics

You’ll hear “tropical storm,” “Category 1–5,” etc. Those labels only describe sustained wind speed (Cat 1 starts at 74 mph; Cat 5 is 157+ mph). You can still see serious damage from tropical storms and lower categories—especially from storm surge and flooding.

The upside versus some other disasters? Lead time. You usually get days of notice to prepare or leave. Use it.

Before the Storm: Decide, Prep, Communicate

1) Decide: Shelter in Place vs. Evacuate

This is personal and location-dependent.

  • Know your evacuation zone and inland routes.

  • If officials say evacuate, go. If you stay for weaker systems, have a clear fallback.

  • Coastal, low-lying, canal-adjacent, and mobile/manufactured housing areas face higher surge/flood risk.

2) Build Your Short-Term Supply Kit (3–7 Days)

  • Water: 1 gallon (3.8 L) per person per day

  • Food: shelf-stable meals you’ll actually eat + manual can opener

  • Meds: 7–30 days of prescriptions; key OTCs (pain relievers, antihistamines, antidiarrheals)

  • Power & light: LED flashlights/headlamps, lantern, high-capacity power bank; charge everything

  • Comms: AM/FM (or NOAA) radio; write critical phone numbers on paper

  • Hygiene: soap, sanitizer, wipes, TP, feminine products

  • Docs & cash: copies of IDs/insurance in waterproof pouch; small bills

3) Harden Your Home

  • Bring in outdoor furniture, grills, décor, trash/recycle bins (loose items become projectiles).

  • Board or shutter vulnerable windows/doors if you have the hardware.

  • Sandbags at door thresholds/garage if flood-prone.

  • Clear drains/gutters, trim dead branches.

  • Refrigerator/freezer: set to coldest; make ice blocks/jugs.

  • Vehicles: fill gas, park away from trees, know how to manually release garage door.

Note: Some folks submerge patio furniture in the pool so it doesn’t fly—this is an anecdotal tactic, not a blanket recommendation. Consider pool chemistry, finishes, and safety before attempting.

4) Insurance Snapshot (Not Advice)

  • Review home/renters policy, deductibles, loss-of-use coverage.

  • Understand that flood damage is typically not in standard homeowner policies—evaluate separately if you’re at risk.

  • Photograph rooms, serial numbers, and exterior now for any future claims.

5) Share the Plan

Tell family/friends: where you’ll be, when you’ll check in, and who to call if you go quiet.

During the Storm: Inside, Away From Glass, Power Down

  • Shelter in an interior room (no windows) on the lowest level that’s not flood-prone—hallway, closet, bathroom.

  • Stay off windows; flying debris can shatter glass even in lower categories.

  • Expect power loss—utilities may cut electricity to protect the grid or lines may fall.

  • Keep devices charged; conserve batteries.

  • Have low-tech morale boosters (board games, books, coloring kits).

  • Don’t be fooled by early light rain or the eye—winds can return violently from the opposite direction.

After the Storm: Slow, Careful, Document Everything

  • Wait for all-clear before going out. Watch for downed lines, contaminated standing water, unstable trees/structures.

  • If you evacuated, confirm reentry timelines with local authorities; roads can remain closed for debris or flooding.

  • Document damage (photos/video) before moving things; open a claim promptly if insured.

  • Ventilate & dry wet areas fast to reduce mold growth; prioritize safety over salvage.

  • Restock and repair quickly—a second storm can follow weeks later (it happens).

Common Misconceptions (and Reality Checks)

  • “Category tells the whole story.” Not true. A lower-category system with huge surge can be worse than a higher-category storm hitting a surge-resistant area.

  • “Tropical storms aren’t a big deal.” They can still flood neighborhoods, spin tornadoes, and knock out power for days.

  • “Inland = safe.” Safer from surge, yes—but inland flooding from rain remains a major risk.

Quick Hurricane Checklist (Copy/Paste)

Go/Stay Decision

  • Know zone, route, shelter options

  • Share plan & check-in times

Supplies (3–7 days)

  • Water, food, meds, hygiene

  • Lights, batteries, power bank, radio

  • Cash, copies of documents

Home Hardening

  • Bring in yard items; shutter/board windows

  • Sandbags if flood-prone; clear gutters/drains

  • Coldest fridge/freezer; make ice

  • Full fuel; safe vehicle parking

During

  • Interior room; away from windows

  • Conserve power; keep radio on

After

  • Avoid floodwaters & downed lines

  • Photograph damage; file claims

  • Dry out, repair, restock

Plan Once, Use Anywhere—The ReadyPlan App (Free)

Keep your hurricane plan where you’ll actually use it—on your phone, with offline access.

  • Free features: ready-made templates you can customize, evacuation routes, inventory lists, go-bags, vehicle checklists, notes, and offline mode.

  • Premium (optional): AI planning that tailors inventories to your family size, location, and local threats; group sharing; unlimited plans.

  • Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Bottom line: Hurricanes are serious—but with a clear decision, a right-sized kit, a hardened home, and a shared plan, you can turn “panic” into “prepped.”

Back to blog