Hurricane Season is Coming: Are You Ready?
Living in Florida’s Gulf Coast region, we know hurricanes are a part of life. But just because they’re inevitable doesn’t mean we should be caught unprepared.
🌀 Guess what? We’re less than 100 days away from hurricane season! 🌊 The countdown is on — so let’s make sure we’re ready before the storms start brewing.
In honor of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, let’s talk about what every Floridian — especially our Atlas Insurance clients and neighbors in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties — should know about hurricane season and how to stay prepared.
Hurricane Facts Floridians Should Know According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
✅ Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity in late summer—a critical time for Florida homeowners and businesses.
✅ The right side of a hurricane is often the most destructive, bringing stronger winds, tornadoes, and intense storm surges.
✅ Hurricane winds can extend up to 300 miles from the center—meaning even if a storm doesn’t make direct landfall, your area can still feel its effects.
✅ Size doesn’t equal strength—a small but intense hurricane can cause just as much damage as a large, weaker storm.
✅ On average, five hurricanes hit the U.S. every three years, and at least two are considered severe.
✅ Warm coastal waters fuel hurricanes—and Florida’s Gulf Coast is a prime hotspot for storm formation.
✅ A hurricane watch means hurricane-force winds are possible within 48 hours.
✅ A hurricane warning means hurricane-force winds are expected within 36 hours—this is when you should have all preparations finalized.
✅ Hurricanes cost the U.S. an average of $9.5 billion in damage annually—a reminder that proactive preparation is key.
How to Prepare for Hurricane Season in Southwest Florida The best time to prepare for hurricane season is now — not when a storm is already on the radar. Follow these essential steps from Ready.gov to keep your home, family, and community safe.
1. Know Your Risk: Even if you don’t live directly on the coast, storm surges, heavy rain, and tornadoes can impact communities far inland. Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties are no strangers to these risks, so understanding your home’s vulnerability is crucial.
2. Create an Emergency Plan Make sure your family has a plan for home, work, school, and any other locations you frequent. Include pet care, evacuation routes, and emergency contacts. Check for designated evacuation zones in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties.
3. Build a Hurricane Kit Stock up on:
🔹 Nonperishable food & water for at least three days 🔹 Prescription medications & first aid supplies 🔹 Flashlights, extra batteries, & phone chargers 🔹 Hygiene products, disinfectants, and hand sanitizers 🔹 Cash, since ATMs and card readers may be down
4. Strengthen Your Home ✅ Trim overhanging branches and secure loose outdoor items.
✅ Check windows, doors, and roof for potential vulnerabilities.
✅ Install hurricane shutters if you live near the coast.
5. Stay Informed Sign up for:
📢 County emergency alerts for Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte
📢 FEMA wireless notifications
📢 Battery-powered NOAA radio updates during power outages
6. Protect Important Documents Keep birth certificates, IDs, insurance policies, and other vital documents in a waterproof container or digital cloud storage.
7. Review Your Insurance Coverage Did you know?
🏡 Standard homeowners or renters insurance does NOT cover flooding.
🌊 Just one inch of floodwater can cause $25,000 in damage, according to FEMA.
Why Flood Insurance Matters Flooding is one of the most significant risks during a hurricane. Storm surges, heavy rain, and rising tides can leave homes and businesses underwater.
Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties have a high risk of flooding due to their coastal location and low-lying areas. If you don’t already have a flood insurance policy, now is the time to act. Atlas Insurance is here to help you navigate your options, whether through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers.
Let’s work together to help protect your home, your family, and your future. Reach out to your Atlas Insurance agent today to review your hurricane and flood coverage.
Stay safe — preparation is the best protection.
