Are you Ready For Hurricane Season?

Jun 01 - Nov 30, 2022

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Download the
St. Johns County
Hurricane Preparedness Guide
(PDF, 9.3MB)

Additional Downloads:

Please visit DOH-St. Johns — Emergency Preparedness and Response to find out more about hurricane preparedness resources in St. Johns County.

Stay Informed this Hurricane Season

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St. Johns County Emergency Notification System:

Additional Resources:

Determine Your Risk

The threats from hurricanes to you and your family can vary widely depending on where you live. It’s not just those along the coast that can experience significant, life-threatening impacts. Evaluate what you need to do to protect your home and family NOW, before the first storm of the season even forms.

Hurricane Hazards Risk

1:33

Weather.gov Video: Hurricane Hazards Risk (Length 1:33)

Develop An Evacuation Plan

Make sure you have a hurricane evacuation plan. The first thing you need to do is find out if you live in a storm surge hurricane evacuation zone or if you are in a home that would be unsafe during a hurricane. If you are, figure out where you would go and how you would get there if told to evacuate. You do not need to travel hundreds of miles. Identify someone, perhaps a friend or relative who does not live in an evacuation zone or unsafe home, and coordinate with them to use their home as your evacuation destination. Be sure to account for your pets, as most local shelters do not permit them. Put the plan in writing for you and those you care about.

As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials on questions related to how you may need to adjust any evacuation plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local officials.

Find your evacuation zone

Weather.gov Video: Evacuation Plan (Length 1:20)

Assemble Disaster Supplies

Just having enough supplies to make it through a hurricane is not enough. You need plenty to make it through what could be a LONG recovery period too. Water and electricity could be out for a week or more. Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family for a MINIMUM of one week. Also make sure you have extra cash, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and a portable crank or solar powered USB charger to charge your cell phone. The CDC recommends if you need to go to a public shelter, bring at least two cloth face coverings for each person and, if possible, soap and hand sanitizer. Children under two years old and people having trouble breathing should not wear face coverings.

Weather.gov Video: Hurricane Supplies (Length 1:26)

Get An Insurance Checkup

This Hurricane Preparedness Week, call your insurance company or agent and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough homeowners insurance to repair or even replace your home. Remember, standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, you will need a separate policy for flooding. Visit www.FloodSmart.gov to get started. Act now as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.

FLASH Insurance Guide: If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Covered?
Find available coverage at FloodSmart.gov

FloodSmart.gov Video: Flood Insurance (Length 1:30)

Strengthen Your Home

If you plan to ride out the storm in your home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. Have the proper plywood, steel or aluminum panels to board up the windows and doors. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand the winds.

FLASH: How-To Videos
Protect Your Home From Flooding Video ( English / Spanish)

Weather.gov Video: Strengthening Home (Length 1:36)

Help Your Neighbor

Learn about all the different actions you and your neighbors can take to prepare and recover from the hazards associated with hurricanes. Start the conversation now with these Neighbor Helping Neighbor strategies but remember, you may need to adjust your preparedness plans based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.

Hurricane Safety Tips and Resources

Weather.gov Video: Helping Your Neighbors (Length 1:26)

Complete a Written Plan

The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know who issued evacuation orders for your area, determine locations on where you will ride out the storm, and start to get your supplies now.