Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Prep now to stay safe during hurricane season 2025

Hurricane season officially starts on June 1st, and runs until November 30th, and even though storms in the Atlantic don’t usually pop up until late summer, now is the time to make a plan to stay safe this season. Hurricanes, also referred to as tropical cyclones, are large, swirling storms that form when the ocean is especially warm. They produce powerful sustained winds of 74 to 157+ mph, as well as heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and potentially catastrophic storm surge. If you live in coastal or low-lying areas, or areas that frequently flood, you must be prepared for water intrusion – and if the storm is heading your way, no matter how high your elevation, high winds can be equally as damaging as rising waters. Plus, hurricanes form fast, with warnings and watches being issued only 36-48 hours before the storm hits. With climate change resulting in warmer waters every year, this year is predicted to have a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms, of which 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes, including 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). To stay safe, it’s imperative to have a plan – and this guide will help you prepare.

1. Check in with your homeowner’s insurance policy: Once a storm is in the water, you can’t adjust your insurance, so now is the time to understand what your policy covers and what it doesn’t. Flood insurance is only required if you live in a flood zone, but any property can flood. If you rent, you too can purchase coverage that protects your belongings.
2. Photograph and/or video your possessions: Creating an inventory of your home’s contents provides a digital record of your house and belongings before a storm. This evidence helps with insurance claims and helps you track losses. Open cabinet doors, dresser drawers and snap away! Every item should be documented in some way.
3. Know your evacuation zone: If your area is issued a mandatory evacuation, you must leave immediately – and your safety depends on it. To learn yours in St. Johns County, head to sjcemergencymanagement.com, or if you live in Duval County, go to maps.coj.net/evsearch.
4. Prepare your home and yard: Clear gutters and drains, trim trees, check your roof and know if your windows are impact resistant or if you’ll need hurricane shutters or plywood.
5. Grab sandbags or know where they will be distributed: St. Johns and Duval Counties will have multiple sandbag locations throughout the area when storms are approaching. They usually allow 20 sandbags per resident but you must bring your own shovel. Grab one now!
6. Have a place to go: It’s best to travel tens of miles versus hundreds, due to gas shortages and such limited notice. Have a few places in mind to travel to should a storm approach. Call family and friends who live in safe and sturdy places outside of evacuation zones.
7. Know your family’s needs: Have medications on hand, pet supplies and emergency numbers handy.
8. Make a disaster kit: Think first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, water or refillable water bottles, non-perishable food, etc. St. Johns County has Printable Emergency Supply Check Lists that include everything you need to shelter in place or take with you in the event of an evacuation order.
9. Know where your important documents are: Have a list handy of all your important documents to take with you: licenses, picture IDs, cash and credit cards, medical records, insurance documents, banking information, marriage certificates and the like.
10. Make a list of valuables and keepsakes: When you need to evacuate you want to take everything, but you can’t. Have your list of things you can’t replace so you can grab them quickly, like jewelry, photographs and any other sentimental items.
11. Sign up for alerts and warnings! To register for Alert St. Johns, visit alertstjohns.com, and to register for Duval County alerts, visit JaxReady.com.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Prepare now to stay safe later. For more detailed guidance and additional resources, head to St. Johns County Emergency Management Hurricane Preparedness Guide and The City of Jacksonville’s 2024-2025 Preparedness Guide