With hurricane season upon us, it is important to understand how to properly prepare and protect your family, home, and property from potential storm impacts. The hurricane season officially runs from June 1st through November 30th, however, peak months include August through October. Although we cannot always predict the exact events that will impact our community, we can properly prepare so that we are ready for any risks the storms may bring. If you live in a coastal region of Florida, you are at risk not only from the typical effects of hurricanes, such as strong winds and high rainfall but also other impacts such as storm surge and wave action.
Pre-Hurricane
Understanding the risks
Understanding where to find the proper information about your risk during a storm will allow you to feel more prepared for the impacts you may experience.
Evacuation Zones
Knowing your evacuation zone before the impacts of the storm reach you, can allow you to mentally prepare for the chance you may have to evacuate. Identifying your zone is simple, using the Florida disaster website. Remember, Zone A is typically the first to evacuate in the case of hurricane impacts. In cases where your area has not been issued an evacuation order, it is still important to consider if your home/shelter can withstand strong winds and heavy rainfall events.
Storm surge
Storm surges can cause extreme flooding in coastal areas when the water levels rise higher than the predicted astronomic tide levels. While this phenomenon is typically focused on coastal regions, storm surges can travel far up rivers or canals, impacting inland regions as well. Similarly to knowing your evacuation zone, knowing your potential for storm surge-driven flooding is also important. Using the NOAA National Storm Surge Risk Maps can inform you of your risk.
The amount of storm surge flooding driven by hurricanes can be highly variable, but in some cases can reach 20 ft or higher. The primary factors that will influence the height of the storm surge are the storm intensity (wind speed), however, the storm’s size, speed, angle of approach, and your local coastline features will also play a role. If the storm surge occurs in unison with the astronomical high tide in the area, flooding effects will be intensified, increasing the overall height of the flood waters (10 ft storm surge + 2 ft high tide = 12 ft flooding potential).
To track up-to-date water levels near you during a storm use the NOAA Tides and Current stations.
More details about storm surge
Preparation
Preparing for a hurricane when you live in a coastal area will follow a lot of the same procedures as non-coastal residents, however, additional preparation can allow you to feel more comfortable during the storm.
Boats
Many people living in coastal regions may have boats or other marine recreation vessels, that may be at risk during hurricanes. To prepare for a hurricane several steps can be taken to help ensure your property is protected.
Boat insurance
Review your vessel marine insurance plan is up to date and check coverage details for potential hurricane damages (sometimes proactive protection measures are required for insurance to cover damages)
Move your boat:
If possible haul or trailer your boat to a safe inland or indoor location, such as dry storage. Avoid parking trailers near trees. Boats can also be moved, in water, to protected harbors or up rivers/canals to reduce exposure to storm surges, waves, and wind.
Secure your boat
Marina: If your boat is a marina, contact them about hurricane preparedness procedures to ensure the safety of your boat.
Dock/boat lift: If moving your boat away from or out of coastal waters is not an option consider the following tips:
- Remove any valuable and loose items
- Close all hatches, doors, or windows to prevent water entry.
- Using mooring lines and fenders that are in good condition, firmly secure your boat to the dock, pilings, or boat lift with several different lines.
- Bring boat lifts to the highest setting to prevent the boat from floating away in the case of extreme storm surge. (Even if the boat is on a lift, securing it with mooring lines or ratchet straps will stop the boat from floating away if the water level becomes to high)
- Takedown canvas tops, Biminis, and antennas to reduce surface area and limit wind damage
- Fuel up your boat before the storm
- Disconnect the shore power to prevent electrical surges
- Ensure the bilge pumps are working properly
- Take images of the boat before the hurricane for insurance
Sandbags
As coastal homes are more susceptible to flooding risks from both heavy rainfall and storm surges, preventative measures such as sandbags can be utilized to prevent or reduce water damage to your home. When used properly, sandbags can help to divert water away from your home or act as a barrier preventing floodwaters from entering your home through doorways.
The proper sandbag filling and laying techniques will ensure your best chance of limiting floodwaters from entering your home.
Tips:
- Only fill sandbags between 1/3 and ½ of the way full.
- Clean debris from the area of sandbag placement.
- Do not tie the bag, instead fold the end of the bag and tuck it under the bag as you lay it down. (if the bag is already tied try your best to flatten the end to create a straight end)
- If available lay a sheet of plastic between the bags and your entryway to prevent water from seeping in.
- Place the bags in staggered layers (like laying bricks) and tamp (pack down) each bag to ensure a tight fit with the bag next to it.
- Limit the height of the bags to 3 layers. If more than 3 layers are needed a pyramid structure will be needed.
Your county may offer sandbag sites where you can fill and pickup sandbags to protect your home from potential flooding. For Pasco County, information regarding sandbag stations can be found on the county website: https://www.pascocountyfl.net/.
Limit coastal debris
Loose items can act as projectiles to be thrown into your house causing damage. They can also be turned into coastal debris, making their way into waterways after a storm, blocking water routes, polluting waters, and causing flow changes. To prevent this, it is best to remove any loose items from your property and place them inside or secure them. This would include items such as patio furniture, plant pots, trash bins, and decorations. For larger items such as cars, boats, or docks, your best option is to move the items to sheltered locations (such as in garages or along the side of the house), avoiding trees and high wind areas. Items can also be tied down with ropes or ratchet straps. Trimming and picking up any loose plant materials (branches) or clearing trash from your yard before the storm will also reduce potential damage and coastal debris.
Windows
High winds during hurricanes can easily pick up debris, throwing it through the windows of your home. Covering windows or glass doors can help secure your home from damage and help to make your home a safe shelter if you choose to ride out a storm. Metal or PVC storm shutters are common and can be pre-installed on your home outside the windows, allowing for easy coverage during storms. Some metal or PVC storm shutters can also be stored away and installed when a storm is approaching. If you do not have storm shutters for your home, you can make your own by bolting sheets of plywood (5/8 in) over your windows for protection.
Emergency preparedness kits
Emergency supply kits should allow you and your family to survive for several days on your own after a storm or disaster. These can be made ahead of time (even before hurricane season starts) allowing you to be prepared for when the storms approach. Having these supplies ready and in easy-to-carry bags or containers can also help you in the event that you need to evacuate. Basic supplies would include several days worth of food (for your family and pets), water (~1 gallon per person, per day), battery-powered lights or candles, a radio, batteries, a first aid kit, and extra chagrining power bricks for phones. Remember during hurricanes you could lose power and access to water, and in some cases, emergency responders may not be able to reach you for several days. For more information and a more extensive list visit: https://www.ready.gov/kit .
During the storm
Shelter
If you do not evacuate make sure your shelter is strong enough to withstand high winds and the potential for extreme flooding. Stay up to date on the status of the storm, as the strength can intensify rapidly. Remember your shelter may be safe for a CAT 1 hurricane (winds 74-95 mph), but a CAT 5 (winds >157 mph) may require stronger shelters. The strength and impact angle of the storm along the coast could also result in storm surges of 20 ft or higher, flooding the first floors of homes completely. It is important to know your evacuation zone, flood/storm surge risk, and the strength of the storm if you decide to shelter in place.
Stay indoors, away from windows and doors until the storm is over. Although it may be tempting to go outside during a lull in the storm conditions can quickly change, becoming dangerous!
Monitor
Monitor news and weather sources to stay current on the status of the storm.
- TV: News stations or weather channel
- Phone: Sign up for emergency alerts, social media
- Online: Weather.gov, Ready.gov, Hurricanes.gov
Post-Hurricane
Assess for damages
File insurance claims
- Take photos of damage for insurance
- Identify any lost items or equipment
Clear debris
- Clean any debris from the yard or waterway
- Carefully trim trees or plants that sustained damage
Boat recovery
- Check the hull for damages
- Check for water damage and dry cabins if needed to prevent mold
- Flush engines
- Ensure the plug is in the boat and bilge pumps are functional
- Be careful boating as debris may be in waterways and sands may have shifted in shallow areas (sandbars)
For more detailed information, contact your local University of Florida Extension Office.
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Useful Hurricane UF/IFAS Blogs
- Hurricane Preparation for Gardens
- Cleaning Up After a Hurricane
- Preparing Trees for Hurricanes
- Restoring Trees After a Storm
- Tree Risk Assessment
- Trees That Can Withstand Hurricanes
More from UF/IFAS
- How to Minimize Damage in the Florida Landscape
- Selecting Coastal Plain Species for Wind Resistance
- Selecting Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species for Wind Resistance
- Hurricane Preparation Practices for Fruit Trees
- Trees and Hurricanes website
Resources:
Know your evacuation zone: Florida disaster website
Storm surge flooding: NOAA National Storm Surge Risk Maps
Emergency supply kit Information
Florida Evacuation Shelter Information
Pasco Sandbag locations: Pasco County website
Hurricane preparation and recovery guide
Find Your Local Extension Office
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