Florida’s hurricane season requires careful planning and quick action. When a storm approaches, evacuate immediately if officials tell you to leave. Otherwise, shelter in place, the most important rule during a hurricane in Florida is to stay inside and wait out the storm in your safe space. Knowing exactly how to act keeps you and your family safe.

Stay Inside

• Avoid all windows and glass doors. Flying debris can easily shatter glass, causing serious harm.
• Find an inner room. The safest parts of a house are usually small rooms or hallways located in the center of the home. Closets, bathrooms, and central hallways are best. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
• Cover up: Cover yourself with a heavy blanket, sleeping bag, or mattress to protect from flying glass and debris.
• Stay off the roads. Never drive through standing water or flooded streets. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and a foot of water can sweep your car away.

Manage the Power and Light

• Turn off your appliances. If the power goes out, turn off your air conditioner, large appliances, and electronics. This prevents damage from powerful electrical surges when the power comes back on.
• Use flashlights, not candles. Candles are a major fire hazard. Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights instead.
• Use generators safely. If you use a gas-powered generator, only run it outdoors. Place it far away from windows, doors, and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from entering your home.

If Flooding Happens

• Move to higher ground. If water starts to rise inside your home, go to the highest level of the building.
• Never hide in a closed attic. You can become trapped in a closed attic if floodwaters continue to rise.

Respect the “Eye”

• Wait for the all-clear. If the eye of the storm passes over your location, the wind will suddenly stop and the sky might clear. Do not go outside! The strong winds will return quickly from the opposite direction.

Stay Informed

Always keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio nearby to listen to local officials. You can find local radio stations and check your exact evacuation zone using the official Florida Division of Emergency Management website.