Living in the Florida panhandle means knowing how to correctly and efficiently prepare for hurricanes. While some Floridians like to throw hurricane parties and ignore what can be a scary reality, the best and safest thing to do is be ready for the worst case scenario. 

If evacuation is not mandatory because the storm isn’t too strong, you will still want to prepare at home. Arguably, the most important thing to do is to keep up with the weather. While staying calm should be a priority, making sure to stay up-to-date by watching the news and weather radar are also important. A useful app is the FEMA app, which serves real-time weather updates and alerts from the National Weather Service. 

Make sure to pick out which room is safest in your home. Look for an enclosed space with little to no windows, and plan to stay there when the hurricane grows closer. Stay away from flood-prone areas if possible to ensure maximum safety.

Stocking up on necessities can and will save lives. Make sure to have enough medication, bottled water, ice/cooler, candles, batteries and flashlights to last at least one week. Food that does not have to be refrigerated or prepared on a stove are ideal to have. If financially able, invest in a generator as well. 

To ensure the best case scenario for your home, you will want to gather sandbags to hold down objects which cannot be brought indoors, such as trampolines or cars. For objects that can be brought inside, like outdoor furniture and decor, make sure to do so. Otherwise, they will more than likely fly away. This will not only protect said objects, but also prevent them from flying away and destroying other items, such as homes or cars. 

Hopefully the storm is not strong enough for a mandatory evacuation, but if it is, or if it makes you and your family more comfortable to leave, preparation needs to be well thought out. 

An emergency plan is crucial in case of last minute evacuation. Know what evacuation zone you are in and which route works best, what to do with any pets and talk with any children in the family about what is going on. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, even more preparations need to be in order. If travelling or even just going to a shelter, make sure to pack new essentials. This consists of, but is not limited to, plenty of hand sanitizer, masks and cleaning supplies for the whole family. If you are planning on staying in a hotel, make sure to call ahead and ensure there are rooms available because others could potentially have the same idea. Just this simple step ensures the family will not have to sleep in the car in a random parking lot.

After the hurricane, make sure to check in with close friends and family to tell them you are safe and to see if they are as well. Flooding is common after hurricanes, so steer clear of basements or any extremely low parts of your home. Finally, do not drink from any tap water until officials give the clear, as it could be contaminated. 

Florida’s hurricane season is from June 1 to November, but it peaks between August and September. Stay safe and stay prepared.