Hurricane Preparedness
Preparing for the 2026 Hurricane Season
Atlantic Hurricane Season June 1-November 30
Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over ocean water and often move toward land. They bring high winds, heavy rain, storm surge (rise in water level), flooding, and tornadoes. These storms are dangerous and can cause damage to places far inland.
As Floridians, we are all too familiar with the destructive power of these storms. Begin preparing your family by reviewing the steps you should take before, during, and after a storm. According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Floridians are encouraged to have at least seven days of supplies. By creating an emergency plan and gathering items for a supply kit, you can be more prepared.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Kit.
Florida Division of Emergency Management's Disaster Supply Kit Checklist. To download the PDF version, click here.
Miami-Dade County Hurricane Supply Kit.
Collier County Hurricane Supply Kit.
What Should You Do Before a Hurricane?
Make plans to stay safe
- Prepare a to-go bag that you can take with you if you need to leave quickly. Build A Kit | Ready.gov
Plan to Evacuate
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and go to a safe place.
- Know where you will go, how you will get there, and where you will stay. Know Your Evacuation Zone
- Plan well in advance if you will need help leaving or using public transportation.
- Mobile/manufactured/trailer homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) cannot provide safe shelter from tropical-storm or hurricane-force winds.
Plan to Shelter Safely
- Be ready to live without power, water, gas, phone, and internet for a long time.
- Be sure to have food and water stored for the coming days.
- Practice going to a designated safe shelter for high winds. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not likely to flood.
- If you are in an area that is likely to flood, designate a location on higher ground that you can move to before floodwaters reach you.
- Shelter|Ready.gov
- If you or a member of your household has medical or functional needs, learn about special-needs shelters and register before a storm approaches. Home Page - Special Needs Registry
- For information on special-needs shelters and evacuation help in Miami-Dade County visit Special Needs - Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County
- For information on special-needs shelters in Collier County visit Home | Collier County, FL
Plan to Stay Connected
- Sign up for free emergency alerts from the local, state, and federal government.
- For FEMA alerts, sign up here. The FEMA App allows you to receive real-time weather alerts, locate emergency shelters in your area, prepare for common hazards, and more.
- To learn how to receive emergency alerts and other public safety notifications in your community, click here: AlertFlorida-Statewide Notification Initiative
- For Miami-Dade County Emergency alerts, click here.
- For more information on local government services, email 311@miamidade.gov or visit the 311 Contact Center webpage.
- For Collier County Emergency alerts, click here.
- If you would like to sign up for emergency-ONLY text messages, text COLLIERFL to 888777. Please note that this does NOT sign you up for Collier County's automated weather alert services.
- Plan to monitor local weather and news.
- Have a backup battery or a way to charge your cell phone.
- Have a battery-powered radio during a power outage.
- Understand the types of alerts that you may receive and have a plan to respond when you receive them.
- A WATCH means Be Prepared!
- A WARNING means Take Action!
- Alerts you may receive include Hurricane Watch & Warning, Tropical Storm Watch & Warning, Extreme Wind Warning, Storm Surge Watch & Warning, Flash Flood Watch & Warning, and Flood Watch & Warning.
Learn Emergency Skills
- Learn First Aid and CPR
- Be ready to live without power. Utilities may be offline. Plan for your electrical needs, including cell phones and medical equipment. Talk to your doctor. Plan for backup power.
Protect Your Home
- Determine your best protection against high winds and flooding.
Wind
- Secure or bring inside outdoor items, such as lawn furniture and trash cans, that could be picked up by high winds and hurt someone.
- Anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside, such as gas grills and propane tanks.
- Trim or remove trees close enough to fall on your home.
- Be sure to properly dispose of branches, placing them in a container at the curb on your regular yard waste collection day.
- Do not place in plastic bags.
- For more information on separating storm debris, visit Hurricane Preparedness|Collier County, FL
- Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or sheeting
Flood
- Clean out drains, gutters, and downspouts.
- Stockpile protective materials such as plastic sheeting and sandbags.
- Consider installing a sump pump with battery backup.
- Consider elevating the heating system, water heater, and electric panel.
- Review insurance policies with your agency.
What to do During a Hurricane?
- If local officials issue a Storm Surge or Evacuation Warning, follow evacuation routes and leave immediately.
- Bring your Supply Kit.
- Know Your Evacuation Zone
- Follow evacuation routes and do not try to take shortcuts because they may be blocked.
- DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS OR ANIMALS BEHIND. It is unlikely for pets or larger animals to survive on their own.
- Check with local officials for shelter locations.
- Take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds.
- Stay away from glass windows and doors.
- Move to higher ground before flooding begins.
- Never walk, swim, or drive through floodwater.
What to do after a Hurricane?
Stay Safe
- Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.
- Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and drowned wires. They can electrocute you.
- Do not touch floodwaters because they may contain sewage, bacteria, and chemicals that can make you ill.
- If power is out, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns to reduce fire risk.
- Be aware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent, or camper - or even outside near an open window.
- Carbon monoxide can't be seen or smelled, but it can kill you fast. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak, get fresh air right away - do not delay.
Stay Healthy
- When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that got wet or warm.
- Ask your healthcare provider or doctor about refrigerated medicines.
- Hurricanes and flooding can make drinking water unsafe.
- Monitor your local health department for information about drinking water safely.
Cleanup Safely
- Wear appropriate protective equipment, including gloves, goggles, and boots.
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.
- When cleaning heavy debris, work with a partner.
- Make sure that you have proper training before using equipment such as chainsaws.
- Cleaning up is a big job. Be mindful of overworking and take breaks.
Government Contacts:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 1-800-621-3362 or DisasterAssistance.gov
- FEMA (Spanish)
- National Disaster Distress Helpline1‑800‑985‑5990 (Spanish press or text "2")
- Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM): 1-850-815-4000 (Spanish available via 1‑800‑342‑3557)
- Florida Emergency Information Hotline: 1-800-342-3557
- Florida Power and Light: 1-800-468-8243
- Lee County Electric: 1-800-599-2356
- Florida Attorney General's Price Gouging Hotline: 1-800-966-7226
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Center: 1-800-659-2955
- Miami-Dade County Emergency Management: 305-468-5400 (Spanish available via 211)
- www.fema.gov - Federal Emergency Management Agency
- www.ready.gov - Department of Homeland Security
- www.redcross.org - American Red Cross
- www.weather.gov/safety - National Weather Service
Government Social Media Accounts:
Category | Sustained Winds | Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds |
1 | 74-95 mph | Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap, and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days. |
2 | 96-110 mph | Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks. |
3 | 111-129 mph 96-112 kt 178-208 km/h | Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes. |
4 | 130-156 mph 113-136 kt 209-251 km/h | Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. |
5 | 157 mph or higher | Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. |