The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to November 30 every year — but the last several years were an exception for the Sunshine State — with storms starting to form around Florida by mid-May. [1] August and September are typically the most active months for tropical storms in Florida.
During hurricane season, the Sunshine State faces greater hurricane risk than any other U.S. state. Of the 301 hurricanes that have made landfall in the U.S. since 1851, 120 have hit Florida — almost double that of Texas, the second most hurricane-prone state.
When you consider that 1,350 miles of Florida border the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, it’s extra important for residents to prepare for hurricane season. That means creating an emergency plan, fortifying your property, and making sure you’re fully covered with home and flood insurance.
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What month does Florida have the most hurricanes?
While hurricanes can happen at any point during hurricane season, mid-August through late October is the most likely time for a hurricane to make landfall in Florida. The official peak of hurricane season is September 10.
Going into the 2024 hurricane season, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) — one of the industry’s most-watched hurricane forecasting teams — is predicting a very active hurricane season that's 30% above the 30-year norm. [2]
Where do hurricanes hit the most in Florida?
Monroe County on the southwestern tip of Florida has experienced more hurricanes than any other Florida county, followed by Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to the east. In 2017, Hurricane Irma resulted in four to six feet of water in the Miami-Dade county area. [3]
The area of the Sunshine State that experiences the least number of hurricanes is the midwestern coast. As you go farther northwest into the Panhandle, you begin to enter hurricane territory again. The Florida Panhandle has experienced 66 hurricanes in recorded history, including 14 that were a Category 3, 4, or 5. [4]
How to prepare for hurricane season in Florida
If you’re a resident of coastal Florida, be sure to prepare yourself and your family for an impending hurricane. Hurricanes often mean severe winds and flooding, so you’ll want to make sure your house is prepared and you have the right kind of insurance coverage in place to pay for extensive property damage.
Before the storm
Have a plan for you and your family
Create an emergency kit with basic necessities
Store important documents in a waterproof container and create digital copies
Sign up for community or country emergency storm alerts
Know your home’s flood risk
Purchase flood insurance — homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need flood insurance to cover hurricane-related flooding
Plan an evacuation route
During the storm
Follow weather alerts
Stay clear of areas impacted by hurricane winds and flooding
Reach out for disaster assistance or find a shelter in your area
Visit Florida 511 to check the status of road conditions during a flood
After the storm
Listen to local officials for information about when it’s safe to return to your home and special instructions
Wear protective clothing — including gloves and face coverings — while you clean up mold or other debris from your home
File a claim with your coastal home insurance or flood insurance provider for wind or water damage to your home
Document any property damage with videos and photographs
Learn more >> How to prepare for a hurricane: 9 things to do now
Insurance considerations for hurricane season in Florida
If you live in Florida, you may want to consider purchasing additional insurance to fill your home insurance coverage gaps. Florida is also one of the 19 states that requires a separate hurricane deductible.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind about insurance in Florida during hurricane season.
Hurricane deductibles
In many Atlantic coast states, insurers require you to pay a separate deductible when you file a claim for hurricane wind damage. Unlike standard deductibles, hurricane deductibles are set at a percentage amount. In Florida, insurers typically give you the option of a 2%, 5%, or 10% deductible.
In Florida, hurricane deductibles are activated once an official hurricane watch or warning has been issued by the National Weather service.
Windstorm insurance
If wind and hail coverage is excluded from your homeowners policy, you’ll need to purchase windstorm insurance. If you don’t qualify for coverage on the private marketplace, look into a wind-only policy through a surplus lines insurance company or last-resort insurance coverage through the Florida FAIR Plan.
Flood insurance
Homeowners insurance never covers flood damage. Homeowners in Florida should look into purchasing flood insurance considering how high risk the Sunshine State is for flood and hurricane damage. And if you live in a high-risk flood area and have a federally backed mortgage, you’ll be required to purchase flood insurance.
For more information about hurricane season in Florida and how to plan for the next disaster, check out the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Learn more >> How to protect your home with hurricane insurance in 2024
