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Florida Division of Emergency Management Urges Residents to Stay Prepared and Alert During Florida Preparedness Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a proclamation declaring September as Florida Preparedness Month, encouraging Floridians to take steps now to protect themselves, their families and their homes from disasters that may impact the state. While preparedness is important year-round, September serves as a critical reminder to review disaster plans, restock emergency supplies and know where to go if an evacuation is ordered as Florida enters the historical peak of hurricane season.

“Floridians should take this opportunity to ensure they are prepared for the remainder of hurricane season,” said FDEM Executive Director Jared W. Perdue. “FDEM encourages residents to know their  evacuation zone, make a family disaster plan and build an emergency kit to save time, money and stress now – before a storm threatens the state.”

How Do Hurricanes Form?

Warm tropical waters provide heat and moisture that thunderstorms need to grow and organize. When ocean temperatures are warm, winds in the atmosphere are favorable, and there is plenty of moisture, clusters of thunderstorms can become better organized and develop into a tropical system. If the system develops a defined center of circulation and continues to strengthen, it can become a tropical depression, then a tropical storm, and potentially a hurricane.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year, with historical activity typically peaking in September. Over the last 60 years, the Atlantic Basin has recorded at least one named storm during the month of September each year, underscoring the importance of remaining prepared even when the earlier months of hurricane season have been relatively quiet.

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Exemption

As of July 1, 2025, many disaster preparedness supplies, including batteries, fire extinguishers and portable generators, are permanently exempt from Florida sales tax. Floridians can take advantage of this year-round exemption when building or restocking their disaster supply kits.

Visit FloridaDisaster.org/TaxFree for a comprehensive list of eligible items.

Ways to Prepare

Floridians should know and follow the 5 Steps of Hurricane Preparedness:

  1. Know Your Home, Know Your Zone – Know your evacuation zone and understand your home’s ability to withstand potential storm conditions. Based on these factors, determine whether you may be able to shelter in place or will need to evacuate if instructed by local officials. Identify where you would go ahead of time, such as the home of family or friends or a local shelter. To identify your evacuation zone, visit FloridaDisaster.org/Know.
  2. Make a Plan – Don’t wait until a disaster threatens to make a plan. Develop a disaster plan with everyone in your household, including how you will communicate during an emergency and where you will meet if you become separated. Business owners should also have a business continuity plan and procedures for communicating with employees before, during and after a disaster. To create a customized preparedness plan for your household or business, visit FloridaMakeAPlan.com.
  3. Build a Kit – Build a disaster supply kit with enough food, water, medications and other essential supplies for your household for up to seven days. Consider the needs of everyone in your household, including children, older adults, individuals with disabilities and pets. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/Kit for a comprehensive disaster supply checklist.
    • If you or someone in your household requires 24-hour care or relies on electricity for medical needs, register with Florida’s Special Needs Registry. Registering in advance helps local emergency management officials better understand and plan for community needs before, during and after a disaster.
  4. Halfway Full is Halfway There – Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least halfway full or your electric vehicle at least halfway charged throughout hurricane season. Storm preparation and evacuation orders can lead to increased demand at gas stations and charging locations. Maintaining at least half a tank or charge can help ensure you are ready to evacuate quickly if necessary. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/HalfwayFull to learn more.
  5. Evacuate Tens of Miles, Not Hundreds (If Necessary) – If you are ordered to evacuate, you may not need to travel hundreds of miles to reach safety. In many cases, moving tens of miles inland, to higher ground or outside an evacuation zone may be enough to get out of harm’s way. Always follow evacuation orders and guidance from local officials. Sign up for local emergency alerts through AlertFlorida, and visit your county's local emergency management site at FloridaDisaster.org/counties for information about shelters.

Preparedness looks different for every household, but every Floridian can take steps now to become more resilient. Whether it is signing up for local alerts, packing essential supplies for your children, checking your evacuation zone or identifying a safe place to go, preparing before a storm is on the horizon is always better than waiting until it arrives.

Follow FDEM on Instagram, Facebook and X for more preparedness tips, resources and emergency information throughout hurricane season. Visit FloridaDisaster.org for the latest information and resources from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

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