Florida Today

AI-assisted summary Atlantic hurricane season in Florida spans from June 1st to November 30th.

The article provides resources on hurricane preparedness, from understanding forecasts to post-storm recovery.

Key topics covered include making a hurricane kit, preparing your home and yard, and understanding insurance.

If you live in Florida, you know that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Preparation is key. We’ve amassed and curated everything you need to know about preparing for a hurricane or tropical storm, from what supplies to get, to how to stay safe and what to do after a storm.

Scroll down through the page to browse, or jump quickly to the section you want:

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It’s not too early to prepare yourself and your home for a hurricane. The best time to get ready is before a storm is approaching.

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Make your hurricane kit

What supplies do you need for a storm? Food and water are only the beginning to building your emergency supplies. Here are other things you should assemble.

Prepare your home

Prepare your yard

Prepare your vehicles

WHEN A STORM IS COMING

Important contact information

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Stay or go?

If you stay

Pets

AFTER THE STORM

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Sunday marks the official start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30.

Click here to download the free Live 5 First Alert Weather app so you can always track the tropics and get the latest alerts for severe weather for your neighborhood.

Forecasts predict ‘above average’ season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its annual outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season on May 22, showing there is a 60% chance of an above-normal season.

NOAA predicts 13 to 19 named storms, meaning storms that reach maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or greater. Of those, NOAA expects six to 10 to become hurricanes and three to five to become major hurricanes. A major hurricane is a Category 3, 4 or 5 storm; Category 3 hurricanes have maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

Click here to visit the Live 5 First Alert Hurricane Center for resources

Colorado State University released the first take of its annual hurricane forecast in April, and likewise called for an above-average season. Their forecast called for 17 named storms, nine of which are expected to become hurricanes. Of those nine, four would be expected to become major hurricanes.

CSU’s forecast called for fewer storms than 2024’s forecast.

An “average” Atlantic hurricane season would have 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Meteorologists say neutral conditions, which mean neither a dominant El Niño or La Niña weather pattern, could help create more hurricanes. El Niño produces more wind shear that can hamper the development of hurricanes, while La Niña can lead to a more active hurricane season.

Forecasters say a combination of additional factors will lead to an above-normal season, including warmer-than-average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, which serves as a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes.

“This outlook is a call to action: be prepared,” NOAA National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said. “Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you’re ready before a storm threatens.”

Prepare your family now, not when a storm is coming

Experts say the best thing you can do is to begin preparing for hurricane season ahead of tropical weather. Gov. Henry McMaster designated the month of May as Hurricane Preparedness Month in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division says the Palmetto State is one of the most vulnerable states to hurricanes and tropical storms, with six coastal counties bordering the Atlantic Ocean. In all, those six counties have more than 200 miles of general coastline.

South Carolina’s emergency management leaders urge everyone to look up their evacuation zone so that if a mandatory evacuation is declared, you will know whether your area is included. (Gray Media)

The SCEMD says you should know which evacuation zone you live in. If state leaders order a mandatory evacuation, they will do so by zone, so it’s best to know in advance which zone you live in.

Click here to find the SCEMD tool to determine your zone based on your street address.

You should also prepare your home by performing a safety check to make sure it is ready to withstand the possible effects of a hurricane.

Homeowners should have their roof inspected, double-check hurricane shutters and make sure your insurance policy covers everything you need covered.

Preparing a hurricane kit for your family, or at least making sure you have the supplies on hand so you can quickly pack one, can also help your family evacuate as quickly as possible.

Click here for a list of items you’d want to include in a hurricane kit.

The Live 5 News First Alert Weather team presented “Ahead of the Storm″ to help your family prepare.

Watch the special here:

This year’s hurricane names

The World Meteorologist Organization maintains a rotating set of lists for hurricane names. Each list of names repeats every six years, which means that the 2025 list was last used in 2019.

The list is the same as then with one exception: the name Dorien was retired because of the significant damage Hurricane Dorien caused. This year’s D-name will be Dexter.

Here’s a full list of this year’s hurricane names:

Andrea

Barry

Chantal

Dexter

Erin

Fernand

Gabrielle

Humberto

Imelda

Jerry

Karen

Lorenzo

Melissa

Nestor

Olga

Pablo

Rebekah

Sebastien

Tanya

Van

Wendy

If all 21 names are used, WHO has a backup list of additional names that would be used.

2024 season set new records

There were a total of 18 named storms last year, 11 of which became hurricanes and the season saw five major hurricanes.

Hurricane Beryl, the second named storm and first to become a major hurricane, was the earliest Atlantic basin Category 5 hurricane on record.

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 26 in the Florida Gulf Coast, was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina hit in 2005, the NHC says. The majority the deaths happened in North and South Carolina. It was also the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in the Big Bend of Florida.

Helene also marked the first time the NHC forecasted a storm to become a major hurricane before it even became a tropical depression.

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane near Siesta Key, Florida, on Oct. 9, and data showed its rate of rapid intensification was among the highest ever recorded, with a 90-mph wind speed increase in 24 hours. When it made landfall, Milton spawned an outbreak of 46 tornadoes.

No named storms formed between Aug. 13 and Sept. 8, the first time that long of a lull happened since 1968, CSU said.

Seven hurricanes formed in the Atlantic after Sept. 25, the most on record from that date forward.

The 11 named storms that formed since Sept. 24 tied with 2005 for the record of most-named storms that formed from that date forward.

Hurricanes Kirk, Leslie and Milton were all active hurricanes at the same time in October, marking the first time on record that three hurricanes were simultaneously spinning in the Atlantic from October forward.

And five hurricanes made landfall in the continental U.S., falling short by one of the record total measured in 1886, 1985 and 2020.

But for the Lowcountry, it was Tropical Storm Debby that left the biggest direct effects in early August, dumping nearly a foot of rainfall in Charleston and Savannah in just over 24 hours.

Debby spawned seven tornadoes in the Lowcountry. One of them, an EF-1, touched down from 2:53 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Aug. 6. The Arby’s restaurant off Highway 52 was heavily damaged as the storm scattered tables, chairs, insulation and glass throughout the parking lot.

The National Weather Service confirmed an early-morning tornado touched down in Moncks Corner on Aug. 6, 2024. (Shelby Norris)

A nearby car dealership, Tru Auto, experienced damage to some of its vehicles, and the Walmart across the street had to board up its shattered windows.

Police blocked all roads into Charleston’s downtown peninsula to everyone except essential workers and emergency personnel. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell said the road closures kept businesses and homes from unnecessary damage and avoided the need for any high-water rescues.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – The Florida panhandle is no stranger to hurricanes, and Bay County emergency officials are encouraging residents to create their storm plan right now.

“If you can, go to a friend’s house, maybe 30 miles away, or up to 2 hours,” said Jennifer Wilburn, an Emergency Specialist for Bay County. “If you are going to stay, make sure that you are prepared to last 72 hours.”

Wilbrun says that a good way to prepare ahead of time is to create an emergency go-bag.

“What we recommend is any kind of battery or solar-powered lights, and or hand-crank radios, especially if we lose cell service, and power in your neighborhood,” Adds Wilburn. “We also recommend meals ready to eat, water on hand for, like I said, every person in your family, including either the people you care for, especially your pets.”

Now is also the time to make sure that homes are ready for a potential storm by ordering hurricane shutters, installing storm doors, and securing anything that might fly away.

Emergency officials encourage residents to stay up-to-date on alerts by signing up for Alert Bay. If you haven’t already, download the NewsChannel 7 weather app and enable push notifications.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WJHG on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Email news@wjhg.com. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

Keep up with all the biggest headlines on the WJHG News app, and check out what’s happening outside using the WJHG Weather app.

Copyright 2025 WJHG. All rights reserved.

It’s here… The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins Sunday June 1, 2025.

Forecasts say the season will bring months of danger for millions of Americans, and the time to prepare starts well before the storms form.

In the Atlantic Basin, which includes storms that form in the Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America (formerly known as Gulf of Mexico), hurricane season lasts from June 1 until Nov. 30. Historically, 97% of all tropical cyclones in the Atlantic will form between those two dates.

In the eastern Pacific Basin, hurricane season started on May 15 and lasts until Nov. 30. (Tropical Storm Alvin formed in the the eastern Pacific Ocean on May 29, becoming the first named storm anywhere in the Northern Hemisphere this year.)

Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the most dangerous storms can quickly explode in intensity, so understanding forecasts, hurricane dangers and preparedness should be top-of-mind for residents well before storms start forming.

Here’s a primer on what to know as hurricane danger ramps up in 2025.

When does hurricane season peak?

The peak of the Atlantic season is typically from mid-August until mid-October.

Hurricane season forecasts: How many storms are expected?

Federal forecasters on May 22 predicted a 60% chance of an above average season. (A typical year averages about 14 tropical storms, seven of which spin into hurricanes, based on weather records that date from 1991 to 2020.)

Specifically, NOAA is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 6 to 10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

Experts from Colorado State University said in their initial forecast released in early April that an active Atlantic hurricane season is likely. They predicted as many as 17 storms.

Of those 17 storms, researchers said that nine will become hurricanes.

A forecast from AccuWeather, which also came out in April, called for 13-18 named storms, of which 7-10 will be hurricanes.

Last year, 18 storms formed, including devastating Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

What state has the most hurricanes?

Florida, by a wide margin. Since accurate hurricane records began in 1851, more than 120 hurricanes have made landfall in the state of Florida. Texas is second, with 66 hits.

And according to NOAA, 40% of all U.S. hurricanes have hit Florida.

How can you prepare for hurricane season?

Check with your local government to see if you live in an evacuation zone.

Have a plan for where you would go if you need to evacuate and share that plan with friends or loved ones. Plan to travel only as far as you need to.

Write a family emergency plan with your family and/or close friends to decide how you would contact each other in an emergency, where you will go and what you will do. Keep copies on your phone, in your emergency supplies and share with family.

Put together a basic emergency kit, with water and shelf stable foods for up to a week, flash lights, back up batteries, a first aid kit and moist towelettes.

Review your insurance policies to ensure if you have adequate coverage, including flood coverage.

Store insurance policies, photos of your home and its contents and other important papers in a safe place, in electronic files and/or share copies with family members.

For more suggestions, visit NOAA’s hurricane preparations page.

What is rapid intensification?

A rapid strengthening of a hurricane, when wind speeds increase by at least 35 mph in 24 hours.

It occurs when a tropical storm or hurricane encounters an extremely conducive environment for strengthening, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. That environment consists of very warm water, low vertical wind shear and high levels of midlevel moisture.

What is storm surge?

Storm surge, the massive amount of water that builds up and comes ashore during a hurricane, is often the deadliest and most destructive threat from these storms.

It is characterized by water being pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds moving around the storm, NOAA said.

Storm surge has accounted for about half of all the deaths in hurricanes since 1970, according to the National Hurricane Center. It caused most of the 1,800 deaths in Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

What are the Atlantic hurricane names for 2025?

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will run from June 1 to Nov. 30.

NOAA predicts 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes and 3-5 major hurricanes.

CSU estimates that there is a 35% chance Florida sees a major hurricane landfall this year.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has officially kicked off, and early forecasts indicate that disaster preparations should be made now rather than later.

Hurricane season outlooks from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Colorado State University agree that Florida is likely to be in for another active and potentially volatile one.

While forecasts vary, there could be as many as 19 named storms this season, with 6-10 developing into hurricanes and three to five intensifying into major hurricanes (Category 3+), according to NOAA.

NOAA places the odds of an above-normal hurricane season at 60%, and CSU estimates that there is a 35% chance a major hurricane could make landfall in Florida.

The predictions also noted that more than 50% of the entire continental United States coastline could see at least one major hurricane landfall. Historically, that statistic is closer to 43%.

Last year’s hurricane season matched the upper end of current predictions with 18 named storms, according to NOAA. Eleven of those storms strengthened into hurricanes, three of which made landfall in Florida: Debby, Helene and Milton.

Here’s everything you need to know to be ready for hurricane season.

Forecasters predict 13-19 tropical storms during 2025 Atlantic hurricane season

All of the major forecasters have released their outlooks for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which lean toward another active one. Here’s a brief look at their forecasts:

CSU hurricane season predictions

Named storms : 17 (14.4 average)

: 17 (14.4 average) Hurricanes : 9 (7.2 average)

: 9 (7.2 average) Major hurricanes: 4 (3.2 average)

NOAA hurricane season predictions

Named storms : 13-19

: 13-19 Hurricanes : 6-10

: 6-10 Major hurricanes: 3-5

AccuWeather hurricane season predictions

Named storms : 13-18

: 13-18 Hurricanes : 7-10

: 7-10 Major hurricanes: 3-5

How bad will this hurricane season be in Florida?

It won’t come as a surprise to any Florida resident that the Sunshine State is probably going to see some sort of storm activity this hurricane season. The real question is how bad will it be?

“Everyone should realize that it is impossible to precisely predict this season’s hurricane activity in early April,” CSU wrote in its forecast, so don’t expect a direct number of potential named storms or hurricanes to pop up.

What the current hurricane forecast can do is predict how likely Florida, and any other state, is to see at least one named storm, hurricane or even major hurricane − and Florida tops the list.

Out of 18 states, Florida leads the pack with a whopping 92% probability of seeing a named storm in 2025. That’s a big number but not exactly a bold claim. About 41% of all hurricanes that have made landfall in the United States since 1851 have made landfall right here in Florida.

For a quick comparison, that’s 16% higher than South Carolina, which is the second-most-likely state to be hit by a named storm this year.

Florida again tops the list with a 65% probability of seeing a hurricane and a 35% chance of seeing a major hurricane (Category 3+). Louisiana and North Carolina tie for second with a 46% chance of seeing a hurricane. Texas is the second-most likely state to see a major hurricane at 19%.

Florida Panhandle is the most likely to see at least one major hurricane

CSU broke down its major hurricane landfall probabilities a bit further. The entire continental U.S. coastline has a 51% probability of seeing at least one major hurricane landfall, which is 8% above the average between 1880-2020.

The U.S. Gulf Coast, stretching from the Florida Panhandle toward Brownsville, Texas, has a 33% probability, up 6% from the average. The East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula, has a 26% probability, which is 5% higher than the average.

National Hurricane Center updates you should know about

On May 15, the National Weather Service (NWS) implemented some significant changes to its Potential Tropical Cyclone advisory (PTC) system.

Extended forecast window : The National Hurricane Center will be able to issue PTC advisories up to 72 hours before anticipated impacts, which is up from the previous 48-hour window.

: The National Hurricane Center will be able to issue PTC advisories up to 72 hours before anticipated impacts, which is up from the previous 48-hour window. Relaxed warning criteria: The change eliminates the previous requirement that advisories could only be issued for PTCs that required land-based watches or warnings.

Due to an increase in surf and rip current fatalities in the United States, the NHC will provide current risk information from distant hurricanes and provide a national rip current risk map.

Rip current risk map: To highlight the risk of dangerous conditions, NHC will provide rip current risk information from local National Weather Service and Weather Force Cast Offices in the form of a map.

Current day, next day and a composite showing the highest risk over both days will be available for areas along the East and Gulf coasts of the U.S in one page.

How can I find my evacuation zone and route in Florida?

It is crucial for all Florida residents to know their evacuation zone, if applicable, and be familiar with evacuation routes so they can be ready to leave with little notice if needed. Here’s how you can find your zone and your evacuation route:

Head over to the Know Your Zone Map

Click on the search box to find your address

The map will inform you about your evacuation zone and let you know if you’re not in one.

Once you know your evacuation zone, you can head over to FloridaDisaster.org to find your county’s evacuation route and zone maps.

Tropical storm warnings vs. watch: What to know

The National Weather Service sticks to watches and warnings when communicating potentially dangerous weather. An easy way to keep track of which is more severe is to remember to be on watch for a warning.

Here is a more nuanced look at how the NWS defines tropical storm and hurricane related watches and warnings:

Storm surge watch: Life-threatening inundation is possible somewhere within the specified area, generally within 48 hours.

Storm surge warning: There is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations.

Tropical storm watch: Sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within the specified area within 48 hours in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post-tropical cyclone.

Tropical storm warning: Tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within the next 36 hours.

Hurricane watch: Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds.

Hurricane warning: Hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

What are the five categories of hurricanes?

The five categories of hurricanes refer to the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, which is what is used to estimate how much potential property damage a storm is capable of inflicting on an area. The hurricane term generally refers to Category 1 and 2 hurricanes while major hurricanes are Category 3 storms and above.

Here is now the National Hurricane Center describes each hurricane category.

Category 1 hurricane (74-95 mph winds) : 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.

: . 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. Category 2 hurricane (96-110 mph winds) : 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.

: 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. Category 3 hurricane (111-129 mph winds) : 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.

: 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. Category 4 hurricane (130-156 mph winds) : 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.

: 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. Category 5 hurricane (157+ mph winds): 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.

Storm names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season