Hurricane season has long been a reason for concern, for both locals and visitors to Florida. Hurricane season peaks in mid-August when many travelers are still there.
If you’re traveling to the Emerald Coast, be sure you know the risks before taking the trip. Don’t let hurricane season spoil your vacation.
Let’s look at when Florida Hurricane Season begins and ends.
When is Hurricane Season in Florida?
It’s important to know before traveling what possible disasters might lie before it. Hurricanes threaten the state of Florida during the six-month-long Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 until November 30.
This means that the state is under threat from both the Atlantic hurricane season as well as the Pacific hurricane season. So, be sure and plan your trip accordingly.
Most Dangerous Hurricanes to Hit Florida
Hurricane Katrina, which took more than a thousand lives in 2005, takes the top of the list as the most expensive and deadliest hurricane in modern American history. Below is a short list of the most dangerous Florida hurricanes to hit the state.
- Hurricane Irma (2017): Irma was the most expensive such storm in Florida’s history, with total damage at approximately $50 billion. It left over 6.4 million Floridians without power making it one of the most costly storms to hit the state according to the National Hurricane Center‘s data
- Hurricane Michael (2018): The National Weather Service reported that Hurricane Michael was the strongest storm to make landfall in Florida’s Panhandle. Severe storm damage and winds caused catastrophic damage mainly to the Mexico Beach and Panama City Beach areas.
- Hurricane Wilma (2005): While Wilma’s death toll was relatively low, with five deaths for a Category 5 storm, the overall damage from the storm reached $20.6 billion. Wilma slammed into South Florida mercilessly with wind speeds of over 100 mph (161 kph).
What to Do If A Hurricane Hits During Your Vacation
It’s important to note that evacuation alerts are normally issued within a few days to a week of a hurricane’s landfall. If your destination is at the point of issuing evacuations, the easiest solution is not to come in the first place.
However, if you do decide to go anyway or if you are stuck and unable to evacuate here are a few things the State of Florida recommends to keep on hand in what is called “a hurricane kit”:
- Non-perishable food (enough to last at least 3 days)
- Water (enough to last at least 3 days)
- First-aid kit (include any prescription medication you may need)
- Personal hygiene items and sanitation items
- Flashlights (have extra batteries on hand)
- Battery-operated radio (again, have extra batteries)
- Waterproof container with cash and important documents
- Manual can opener
- Lighter or matches
- Books, magazines, and games for recreation
- Special needs items: pet supplies and baby supplies if applicable
- Cooler and ice packs
- A plan for evacuation and for if family members are separated
Be sure to cover windows with wood and use tape on glass to prevent it from shattering. Be sure your gas tank is full in advance, and know all the evacuation routes for the area you’ll be visiting.
It’s best to avoid traveling where a hurricane might be but if you’re stuck, be sure to take precautions. Stay safe. Return to Travel Hop often for the latest travel news and updates.