How should new Florida residents prepare for hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, so new South Florida residents should look up their evacuation zone, sign up for city and county alerts and build a supply kit before June. Florida's Division of Emergency Management recommends 1 gallon of water per person per day, food for at least 7 days and at least a two-week supply of medication. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 and peaks around September 10. Look up your evacuation zone by address on Florida's Know Your Zone map. Stock 1 gallon of water per person per day, at least 7 days of food and a two-week supply of medication. Sign up for AlertBoca, AlertPBC or Broward County's registration and alert services. Review insurance with a licensed agent before a storm is forecast.

Hurricane Prep Guide for New Florida Residents

When is hurricane season?

The National Hurricane Center lists the official Atlantic hurricane season as June 1 to November 30. The season peaks around September 10, with most activity between mid-August and mid-October. Boca Raton's hurricane page reminds residents that it only takes one storm to cause serious disruption.[1][4]

How do I find my evacuation zone?

Florida's Know Your Zone map lets you type in an address to see whether it falls in a lettered evacuation zone; Zone A is generally the most vulnerable and the first to evacuate. The state notes that storm surge flooding is the greatest threat to life in a hurricane, and that not every zone is ordered to evacuate in every storm.

Boca Raton links residents to Palm Beach County's Know Your Zone page, and Broward County posts evacuation guidance on its hurricane site. If you are not in an ordered evacuation zone, a low-lying flood-prone area or a mobile home, the state says staying home may be the better choice, so plan to protect the openings where wind can enter the house.[2][4][5]

What goes in a hurricane supply kit?

The Division of Emergency Management's supply checklist includes:

Water: 1 gallon per person per day.
Nonperishable food and drinks to last at least 7 days, plus a non-electric can opener.
At least a two-week supply of medications and regularly used medical supplies, plus a list of allergies.
A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio, flashlights, batteries (no candles) and phone chargers.
Cash, since banks and ATMs may not be available after a storm.
Insurance cards, medical records, banking information and other personal documents in a waterproof container.
Pet food and water for at least 7 days, and full vehicle gas tanks.[3]

Which local alerts and programs should I sign up for?

In Boca Raton, text AlertBoca to 38276 for city alerts; AlertPBC, Palm Beach County's notification system, also covers city residents. The city's page links to the county's shelter list, special needs shelter registration and the My Safe Florida Home program, which offers free hurricane mitigation inspections to homeowners.

Broward County's hurricane site offers an Official Hurricane Preparedness Guide, shelter status updates and a registration page (broward.org/atrisk) for evacuation transportation, special needs sheltering and alerts. Review your homeowners and flood coverage with a licensed insurance agent well before a storm is forecast.[4][5]

Key takeaways

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 and peaks around September 10.
Look up your evacuation zone by address on Florida's Know Your Zone map.
Stock 1 gallon of water per person per day, at least 7 days of food and a two-week supply of medication.
Sign up for AlertBoca, AlertPBC or Broward County's registration and alert services.
Review insurance with a licensed agent before a storm is forecast.

Sources

Reviewed October 11, 2026. General real-estate information for Florida, not legal, tax, lending or insurance advice. Laws, rates and deadlines change — confirm property-specific facts with the agency cited, a Florida real-estate attorney, CPA or licensed insurance agent.