What to Do After a Hurricane in Florida

Information may not be reliable

What is a hurricane?

• A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone producing strong winds and heavy rain. 
• It typically forms in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. 
• Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damages from heavy rainfall, flooding, storm surges, flying debris, and even trigger landslides or mudslides. 
• The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, with the peak season from mid-August to late October.
• On average, eight to 10 hurricanes form in the Atlantic Basin every year.
• The eye of the storm or hurricane is the area of sinking air located at its center, circular in shape with a diameter ranging from 2 to 230 miles. It is the calmest part of a hurricane and is cloud-free.

How do hurricanes form?

• Storm clouds are formed when warm ocean water evaporates and condenses into water droplets. Combined with wind blowing across the Atlantic ocean, a cluster of storm clouds form a circular patter around a center, resulting into a tropical cyclone.

• The first stage of hurricane development characterized by a mass of storm clouds with a slight wind circulation.
• A tropical disturbance has little potential for damage. It becomes a tropical depression when its maximum surface winds exceed 23 miles per hour.

• The second stage of hurricane development, with surface winds reaching 23 to 29 miles per hour.

• This is the third stage of hurricane development, when maximum sustained surface winds range from 39 to 73 miles per hour. 
• The storm starts forming a circular shape and is given a name.
• Tropical storms quickly develop into hurricanes, so prepare your emergency plan once it is forecasted in your area.

• This is the final stage of hurricane development, with maximum sustained surface winds at or exceeding 74 miles per hour.

• Category 1 - maximum sustained winds ranging from 74 to 95 miles per hour. Can produce some damage to a property.
• Category 2 - maximum sustained winds ranging from 96 to 110 miles per hour. Brings a greater risk of injury to people and structures.
• Category 3 - maximum sustained winds between 111 and 129 miles per hour. Can cause devastating damage to properties.
• Category 4 - maximum sustained winds ranging from 130 to 156 miles per hour. Can cause catastrophic damages.
• Category 5 - the highest category available, with winds of 157 miles per hour or greater. 

What to Do After a Hurricane

• Continue listening to an NOAA Weather Radio or the local news for the latest updates.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
• If you have become separated from your family, use your family communications plan or contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS/1-800-733-2767.
  • The American Red Cross also maintains a database to help you find your family. Contact the local American Red Cross chapter where you are staying for information. Do not contact the chapter in the disaster area.
• If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
• If you cannot return home and have immediate housing needs. Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345).
• For those who have longer-term housing needs, FEMA offers several types of assistance, including services and grants to help people repair their homes and find replacement housing.
• Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges. Stay off the streets. If you must go out watch for fallen objects, downed electrical wires, weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
• Walk carefully around the outside of your home and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage before entering.
• Stay out of any building if you smell gas, floodwaters remain around the building or your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.
• Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
• Use battery-powered flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles. Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering – the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
• Watch your pets closely and keep them under your direct control. Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
• Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off

Make an Appointment for Storm Damage Restoration

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• Preferred by insurance companies in Florida
• Time-tested environmentally conscious processes and procedures
• Equipment operation, safety, and maintenance
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• Hazardous materials handling
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