Hurricane Season Preparedness: What Every Florida Homeowner Needs to Know

Florida is one of the most beautiful places in the world to call home — the sunshine, the beaches, the sense of community. But with that comes one undeniable reality: hurricane season. As Northeast Florida homeowners and members of the military community, being prepared is not just a good idea — it is a way of life.

At The Military Group, we believe that owning a home comes with the responsibility of protecting it. Just like our military men and women prepare for every mission, preparing for hurricane season should be approached with the same level of discipline, strategy and attention to detail.

Here is everything you need to know to make sure you and your family are ready when the next storm rolls in.

Know Your Zone

The very first step in hurricane preparedness is knowing your evacuation zone. In Northeast Florida, evacuation zones are designated by county and labeled A through F — with Zone A being the highest risk areas closest to the coast.

Here is how to find yours:

• Visit your county's emergency management website
• Enter your address to find your specific evacuation zone
• Know your zone BEFORE a storm threatens — not during

If you are active duty military living on or near base, make sure you are familiar with your installation's emergency action plan as well. NAS Jacksonville, for example, has specific protocols for service members and their families during hurricane events.

Build Your Hurricane Kit

FEMA recommends having enough supplies to sustain your household for a minimum of 72 hours — but here in Florida, we recommend preparing for at least 7 days. Power outages after major storms can last much longer than most people expect.

Your hurricane kit should include:

🔦 Essentials

• Water — one gallon per person per day for at least 7 days
• Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Battery powered or hand crank radio
• First aid kit and any prescription medications
• Cash in small bills — ATMs may not work after a storm
• Copies of important documents in a waterproof container

🏠 For Your Home

• Plywood or hurricane shutters for windows
• Tarps and heavy duty rope
• Generator and extra fuel (stored safely!)
• Sandbags if you are in a flood prone area
• Chainsaw or handsaw for debris removal

📱 Technology

• Portable phone chargers and power banks
• Weather alert apps downloaded and notifications turned on
• Written list of emergency contacts — do not rely solely on your phone

🐾 Do Not Forget Your Pets

• Extra food, water and medications for your animals
• Carriers and leashes
• Copies of vaccination records

Protect Your Home Before the Storm

Taking proactive steps to prepare your home can make a significant difference in the amount of damage sustained during a hurricane. Here is what to do before a storm threatens:

Outside Your Home

• Bring in or secure all outdoor furniture, decorations and equipment
• Trim trees and shrubs around your home to reduce flying debris
• Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding
• Check your roof for loose or damaged shingles
• Know how to shut off your utilities — water, gas and electricity

Inside Your Home

• Take photos and video of all your belongings for insurance purposes
• Move valuables to higher ground if flooding is a concern
• Fill your bathtub with water for flushing toilets if water service is disrupted
• Charge all devices and power banks fully
• Have an interior room identified as your safe space away from windows

Review Your Insurance Coverage

This is one of the most critical and most overlooked steps in hurricane preparedness — especially for homeowners. Standard homeowner's insurance policies in Florida do NOT typically cover flood damage. That requires a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.

Before hurricane season hits make sure you:

• Review your homeowner's insurance policy carefully
• Confirm whether you have flood insurance and what it covers
• Know your deductible — hurricane deductibles in Florida are often separate from your standard deductible and can be significantly higher
• Keep a copy of your policy and your insurance agent's contact information in your emergency kit
• Document your belongings with photos or video and store copies in the cloud

If you are a veteran or active duty military member, you may have access to additional resources through USAA or other military affiliated insurance providers — take advantage of them!

Have an Evacuation Plan

When a mandatory evacuation order is issued — leave. No home or possession is worth your life or the lives of your family members. Having a plan in place before a storm means you will not be scrambling when time is critical.

Your evacuation plan should include:

• A designated meeting place for your family if separated
• At least two evacuation routes out of your area
• A pre-determined destination — family, friends or a pet friendly hotel inland
• A plan for any family members with special needs or medical requirements
• A communication plan if cell service goes down

For our active duty military families — make sure your chain of command knows your evacuation plan and that your family knows what to do if you are deployed when a storm threatens. This is a conversation worth having before hurricane season begins!

After the Storm

Once the storm has passed the work is not over. Returning home safely and beginning the recovery process requires just as much preparation and patience.

• Wait for official clearance before returning to evacuated areas
• Document ALL damage with photos and video before cleaning up
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the claims process
• Be cautious of downed power lines, flooded roads and structural damage
• Watch out for scammers and unlicensed contractors looking to take advantage of storm victims — always verify credentials and get multiple estimates
• Reach out to your local emergency management office for available assistance programs

Resources for Northeast Florida Homeowners

Emergency Management Contacts:

• 📞 Duval County Emergency Management: (904) 630-CITY
• 📞 St. Johns County Emergency Management: (904) 824-5550
• 📞 Clay County Emergency Management: (904) 284-7703
• 📞 Nassau County Emergency Management: (904) 548-4400
• 🌐 Florida Division of Emergency Management: floridadisaster.org
• 🌐 National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov

For Military Families:

• NAS Jacksonville Emergency Management Office
• Military OneSource: militaryonesource.mil
• American Red Cross: redcross.org

The Military Group is Here for You

At The Military Group we are more than just a real estate team — we are part of this community and we care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of every family we serve. Whether you are preparing your current home for hurricane season, looking to buy a home with storm resilience in mind, or navigating the insurance and recovery process after a storm — we are here to help.

Our team has deep roots in Northeast Florida and we understand the unique challenges that come with living and owning a home in this region. If you have questions about how hurricane season might impact your home purchase or sale, or if you simply need guidance on protecting your investment — reach out to us anytime.

Stay safe. Stay prepared. And remember — The Military Group always has your back! 🇺🇸🏡

The Military Group at REAL Broker LLC
📞 904-719-2702
🌐 themilitarygroup.us
Real Estate for Military, by Military