🌀 Florida Hurricane Prep: Your Essential Checklist for the 2025 Season
Living in Florida means understanding the importance of hurricane preparedness. As the 2025 season approaches, now is the time to take proactive steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home. Especially since this is poised to be an active year! This comprehensive checklist breaks down exactly what you need to do before a storm threatens your area.
1. Know Your Risk and Make a Plan
Identify your evacuation zone: Understand if your address falls within a designated evacuation area. Visit your county’s emergency management website to find your zone.
Plan your evacuation route: Determine where you’ll go if an evacuation order is issued. Have a backup route in mind in case of traffic or flooding.
Designate a meeting place: Choose a safe location inside and outside of your area where your family can reunite if separated.
Establish a communication plan: Plan how to stay in touch if cell service goes down. Consider Walkie Talkies too!
2. Build Your Essential Emergency Supply Kit (At Least 7 Days’ Worth)
Water: One gallon per person per day, stored in sealed, unbreakable containers.
Non-perishable food: Canned goods, energy bars, dried fruit, peanut butter, and a manual can opener.
First aid kit: Include bandages, antiseptic, medications, pain relievers, and a first aid guide.
Medications: Ensure at least a week’s supply of all necessary meds, plus a written list of dosages.
Flashlights and batteries: Hands-free headlamps are especially handy.
Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio: Stay informed even without power.
Phone chargers and power banks: Charge fully ahead of the storm.
Hygiene items: Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, soap, and feminine products.
Garbage bags and plastic ties: Useful for sanitation and disposal.
Wrench/pliers: You may need these to turn off utilities.
Cash: ATMs may not work during outages.
Waterproof document bag: Store copies of insurance, ID, medical records, and financial info.
Tools: Duct tape, scissors, and a multi-tool can be lifesavers.
Comfort items: Blankets, games, books, and pillows help reduce stress.
Pet supplies: Food, water, medicine, leash, and carrier for your furry friends.
Baby supplies: Diapers, formula, wipes, and essentials if you have infants.
3. Prepare and Secure Your Home
Secure loose outdoor items: Bring in lawn furniture, planters, trash cans, and decor.
Protect windows and doors: Install shutters or plywood well in advance.
Trim trees and shrubs: Remove weak branches to prevent them from becoming airborne.
Clean gutters and downspouts: Prevent flooding and roof damage.
Know how to turn off utilities: Familiarize yourself with how to shut off water, gas, and electricity.
Fill up your gas tank: Expect long lines or closures as storms approach.
Move vehicles to higher ground: Especially if you live in a flood-prone zone.
4. Stay Informed with Reliable Updates
Monitor local news and weather: Use trusted sources like the National Hurricane Center and your local TV and radio stations.
Sign up for local emergency alerts: Most Florida counties offer text or email alerts.
Know the terms:
Watch = conditions possible
Warning = conditions expected soon
5. Ensure Financial Preparedness
Have cash available: Power outages = ATM outages.
Secure your financial documents: Store in waterproof bags or safe boxes.
Take photo/video inventory of your belongings and house: Essential for insurance claims.
Review insurance policies: Homeowners, renters, flood, and auto – make sure you're covered for hurricane damage prior to the hurricane!
6. Look Out for Your Florida Neighbors
Check on the vulnerable: Offer help to elderly neighbors or those with mobility issues.
Share tips and checklists: Encourage friends and family to prep early too.
The best time to prepare is before a storm is even on the radar. Taking action now will reduce stress, increase safety, and help you recover faster if disaster strikes. For checklists, gear guides, and pro tips from fellow Floridians, head to Cat5Prep.com.
Stay safe, Florida!
