The Complete Florida Emergency Planning Guide

Learn how to prepare your family, protect your home, and stay informed before, during, and after emergencies in Florida.

Why Every Florida Family Needs an Emergency Plan

Emergencies often happen with little warning. A written family emergency plan helps everyone know what to do, where to go, and how to communicate if you're separated.

Your plan should include:

  • Emergency contact information

  • Meeting locations

  • Evacuation routes

  • Shelter options

  • Pet care plans

  • Medical information

  • Out-of-state emergency contacts

Review and update your plan at least once a year.

Build a Florida Emergency Supply Kit

Every household should have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least seven days after a major disaster.

Consider including:

Essentials

  • Drinking water (one gallon per person, per day)

  • Non-perishable food

  • Manual can opener

  • First-aid kit

  • Prescription medications

  • Flashlights

  • Extra batteries

  • Portable phone chargers

  • Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio

Important Documents

Keep copies of:

  • Driver's licenses

  • Passports

  • Insurance policies

  • Home inventory

  • Medical records

  • Birth certificates

  • Property deeds

  • Emergency contact list

Store digital copies in secure cloud storage as a backup.

Know Your Evacuation Zone

Not every Florida resident will be asked to evacuate during a hurricane.

Evacuation decisions are typically based on:

  • Storm surge risk

  • Flooding potential

  • Manufactured housing

  • Coastal location

  • Local emergency management recommendations

Know your evacuation zone before hurricane season begins.

Stay Informed During Emergencies

Reliable information can save lives.

Follow updates from:

  • National Hurricane Center

  • National Weather Service

  • Florida Division of Emergency Management

  • Your county emergency management office

  • Local television and radio stations

Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone and consider signing up for your county's emergency notification system.

Preparing Your Home

Before severe weather arrives:

  • Secure outdoor furniture.

  • Trim dead tree branches.

  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

  • Know how to shut off utilities if necessary.

  • Review your insurance policies.

  • Photograph your belongings.

  • Back up important computer files.

Preparation is much easier before a storm is approaching.

After the Storm

When it's safe to return:

  • Avoid floodwater.

  • Watch for downed power lines.

  • Document property damage with photos.

  • Contact your insurance company promptly.

  • Avoid unnecessary travel.

  • Follow local officials' instructions.

Never enter a damaged structure until it has been declared safe.

Rainy storm seen through a corner window with raindrops on the glass, palm trees bending in the wind, and dark storm clouds in the sky.
A cat sitting on a windowsill and a dog looking at it inside a room during rainy weather.

Don't Forget Your Pets

Include your pets in your emergency planning.

Pack:

  • Food

  • Water

  • Medications

  • Vaccination records

  • Leashes

  • Carriers

  • Waste supplies

  • Favorite toys or blankets

Never leave pets behind during an evacuation.

Official Florida Resources

Prepare Before the Next Storm.

Emergency planning isn't just about supplies—it's also about making sure your financial protection is ready when you need it most. Reviewing your homeowners, flood, auto, and umbrella insurance before hurricane season can help you recover more quickly if disaster strikes.

Schedule an Insurance Review with Ted Todd Insurance

Your Questions, Answered

  • Emergency officials recommend at least one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of seven days.

  • No. Only evacuate if local officials issue an evacuation order or conditions make staying unsafe.

  • Check your supplies at least once a year and replace expired food, water, batteries, and medications.

  • Keep copies of insurance policies, identification, medical records, financial documents, and property records in a waterproof container and backed up digitally.

  • Yes. Power outages can make credit card systems and ATMs unavailable after major storms.