Jacksonville Hurricane Prep: Shield Your Home from Flooding & Storm Surge

Jacksonville residents love the riverfront lifestyle, Atlantic beaches, and historic neighborhoods — but coastal beauty comes with a risk: flooding from hurricanes and storm surge. While direct hurricane hits may be infrequent, the St. Johns River, low-lying zones, and beachside areas are highly vulnerable to water damage.

This essential guide offers practical steps Jacksonville homeowners can take right now to protect against the city's most common and damaging hurricane-season threat: flooding.

🌊 Jacksonville’s Flood Risk: What You Need to Know

✅ Are You in a Flood Zone?

Start by checking:

• FEMA Flood Map Service Center

• City of Jacksonville Flood Zone Maps

High-risk flood areas include:

• St. Johns River

• Ortega River

• Trout River

• Intracoastal Waterway

📍 Ask yourself:

• Has this property flooded before?

• Is it near creeks, canals, or retention ponds?

• Does your neighborhood drain quickly after storms?

🌊 Understand Jacksonville’s Storm Surge Zones

Storm surge — the abnormal rise of seawater during a storm — threatens:

• Downtown Jacksonville and San Marco

• Riverside, Avondale, Ortega

• Atlantic, Neptune, and Jacksonville Beach

Find your evacuation level with FloridaDisaster.org’s Surge Zone Map.

🛡️ How to Protect Your Jacksonville Home from Flooding

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🏠 Elevation Matters

• Raised foundations or pilings = safer homes

• If slab-on-grade, check your yard’s grading to divert water away

🌧️ Gutters & Drainage

• Clean gutters before hurricane season

• Ensure downspouts move water away from your home

• Install French drains or swales for low spots in the yard

🧱 Flood Barriers & Sandbags

• Use sandbags or barriers at doors and garages

• Homes with crawlspaces or basements? Install a sump pump with battery backup

📝 Flood Insurance & Documentation

• Even outside flood zones, flood insurance is wise

• Understand the difference between windstorm and flood coverage

• Take photos of your home and valuables for easy insurance claims

🚗 Evacuation Planning

• Know your Zone (A–F) at JaxReady.com

• Prepare a go-bag with essentials

• Keep your gas tank full and know multiple escape routes

✅ Jacksonville Hurricane Flood Prep Checklist

• Check FEMA and Jacksonville flood zone maps

• Clean gutters and check yard drainage

• Verify flood insurance coverage and deductible

• Install sump pump or acquire flood barriers

• Photograph home contents and secure documents

• Review your evacuation zone and shelter options

• Pack your go-bag early

• Prep pet-friendly evacuation plans if needed

🏁 Final Thoughts: Be Flood-Ready, Jacksonville

Living in Jacksonville offers a special mix of urban convenience and coastal beauty — but it requires flood awareness and smart prep. Don’t wait until a hurricane is on the radar. The best time to prepare is now. By taking these steps, you’ll protect your home, safeguard your family, and ride out storm season with confidence.