hurricane June 1 untill November 30 is hurricane season in Florida. It is best to start planning for a hurricane now.  Make a family disaster plan.  Start purchasing emergency items you might need in the event of a disaster.  If you have pets or a service animal, make a pet disaster plan.

Be sure to become familiar with your county's emergency management plan. You can find your county's home page and contact information on the Emergency Management Contact List.

Below is some useful information to get you to start thinking about what to do in the event of an actual hurricane.  Detail information is available at http://www.FloridaDisaster.org/. 

What to do during a Hurricane Watch

Do you know what to do if a Hurricane Watch is issued? A Hurricane Watch is issued when hurricane conditions pose a possible threat to a particular area within 36 hours. During a hurricane watch you should listen to local radio and television stations to keep up to date on the alert status for your area. Chlorinate your pool if you have one and turn off all pumps connected to it. Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting. Lower any outside antennas and fill your bathtub, washing machine, sinks and other containers with water. If the County Office of Emergency Management is recommending an evacuation for your area, then you should implement your evacuation plan immediately. If you live in a mobile home or in a low lying area, you should consider leaving even if there is no evacuation order. For safety’s sake, leave early and in daylight if possible.

If you stay: What to do during the storm

If you choose to stay at home during a hurricane, here are a few safety tips. Monitor local radio stations for information. Stay in the most protected area of your home, away from doors and windows. Don’t go outside when the hurricane’s eye passes. Winds will return suddenly, with great intensity. Turn off your gas, electricity and water. Avoid using the telephone. Use only flashlights and battery operated lamps to minimize the danger of fire.

What to do after the storm passes

If you stayed at home during a hurricane, after the storm is over, monitor local radio stations if possible for information about conditions in your area. Assume all downed lines are live, and avoid them at all costs. Watch out for weakened tree limbs and use caution if you drive your car. Before eating food, check it for spoilage and use food and water sparingly.

What to do if you live in a mobile home

If you live in a mobile home, you should be especially alert when a hurricane threatens your area. Mobile homes may be convenient and affordable, but they are also easily damaged or destroyed in high winds. You should have an evacuation plan ready so you can implement it when a hurricane approaches. Before leaving, check your tie downs, put up storm shutters, secure loose items in your yard and shut off gas and electricity. Remember to take your valuable or irreplaceable items with you.

Pets during a hurricane

During a hurricane, pets present a particular problem. Many shelters will not allow pets.  If you did not make arrangements for your pet and need to evacuate, leave them in the safest area of your home with plenty of food and water available. Do not place them in a crate. Most animals will live through a storm by following their natural survival instincts. Make sure your pet has a collar on with identification, including your name and address. This will help during the aftermath of the storm, when many lost pets turn up at animal shelters. Note:  Service dogs and guide dogs are allowed in shelters.  They are not considered pets, but working animals.

When to evacuate

If a hurricane threatens your area, when should a person evacuate? Listen closely to local radio and television stations. The County Office of Emergency Management monitors all storms closely, and they will keep you up to date on the status of storms that threaten your area. Have an evacuation plan in place before you are faced with a major storm, and be ready to implement it as soon as possible when a storm approaches. If you wait until evacuation is recommended, the trip may take longer because traffic and weather conditions could affect your travel. Make sure your car’s fuel tank is full, check all fluid levels and your spare tire and tire changing equipment. Take an adequate supply of food and water, and have sufficient cash with you to meet your needs. If you are suffering from an illness, or if you are pregnant, evacuate as early as possible. In the event of a hurricane, treatment for medical conditions may be severely limited because of power outages and damage to medical facilities.

Special Needs Registry

Florida Statutes Chapter 252.355-Registry of Persons with Special Needs requires all counties to maintain a special needs registry.  People may require as little as transportation to a regular shelter to more involved assistance made possible through a special  needs shelter.  The program registration is free, voluntary and confidential. Registration is based on persons meeting the Special Needs Program’s criteria. Registrants are responsible for keeping their registration information accurate and up to date and renewing their registration each year.

In brief, any residents of one of Florida's 67 counties may register if they:

  • Do not have any local family assistance for transportation and sheltering in a disaster event such as a hurricane.
  •  Do not have any other option but to request public transportation and shelter.
  • Live alone or with another person with Special Needs.
  • Reside in unsafe housing during a storm, such as a mobile home.
  • Cannot drive or access any transportation to a safe shelter.

If you, or a person you know, is eligible for the Special Needs Program, contact your county's Office of Emergency Management to request a registration form as soon as possible.

Shelters

If you plan to go to a shelter during a hurricane, there are several things you should remember. Shelters in many counties will only be open during a category 1 or 2 storm. If a storm above a category 2 approaches, residents will be asked to evacuate. Shelter locations should be located on your county's emergency management Web site.  Visit the Hurricane Preparedness section of the site to familiarize yourself with the shelters nearest you. If you do go to a shelter, remember to bring food, water, bedding, and medical supplies with you, including any prescription medicine you may need. Don’t forget sanitary items, such as diapers, toiletries and towels. You may want to bring small entertainment items as well, such as books, games or a radio.

No pets will be allowed so put them in the safest area of your home with plenty of food and water. Guide dogs and service animals are not pets and are allowed at shelters.  Be sure to bring food and water for your working animal as well. If you are disabled or need assistance getting to a shelter, please register ahead of time.

Re-entry after evacuation

If you plan to evacuate when a hurricane approaches, there are a few things you should know. You should have a hurricane re-entry sticker for your vehicle. Stickers are available at all Sheriff’s Offices and tag offices in the county. Having a sticker on your windshield will allow deputies in your city to quickly identify you as a resident, and will tell them what area of the county you live in. If you don’t have a sticker, you’ll be pulled over, asked for identification, your home address and proof of County residency. Based on the location of your home, you will be directed to a designated waiting area until it is safe for you to re-enter the county. Remember: these waiting areas will not be comfortably equipped for long stays, so before you decide to return to the county, you should listen to local radio and television, or the local National Public Radio (NPR) Station in your evacuation area. NPR stations will have up to date information on hurricane affected areas and will let you know when it is safe for you to return. You may also call your County Information Hot line.