Hurricane Preparation in Florida: 6 Expert Tips to Protect Your Home, Family & Water Supply

Your go-to guide for riding out the season with confidence, calm, and clean drinking water.

In a rush? Master Check List Here

Hurricane Preparation in Florida

Every veteran Floridian knows their way around a hurricane. Our ability to ride out storms—and our stubborn habit of never evacuating—are famous in the other 49 states. We learn early, and fast, what it takes to take on a storm. We respect Mother Nature and the land we live on. Ask any seasoned Floridian, and they’ll tell you: the most important things to protect during hurricane season (and long after) are our wetlands and our water source.

Florida also has its share of transplants (467,347 new residents in 2024!) people who fall in love with the sunshine, beaches, and laid-back lifestyle, but are new to the intense and unpredictable hurricane season. We’ve all faced our first storm, and the goal is always the same: to feel safe, prepared, and confident every time.

So for all of our fresh-faced Floridians (and maybe a few long-time locals who could use a refresher), we’ve put together the All American Hurricane Preparedness List—your go-to guide for riding out the season with confidence, calm, and clean drinking water.

1. Your Water Supply (Your First Priority):

When a Category 4 hurricane barrels up the coast, the first things to disappear from store shelves are toilet paper, batteries, candles—and any and all water. You can improvise with some supplies, but when it comes to clean drinking water, there’s no substitute.

• The bathtub tip: Stopping up your tub before the storm is a good backup for hygiene, washing dishes, freshening up, flushing toilets—but it’s not for drinking or cooking.

• How much drinking water to store: The CDC recommends at least one gallon per person per day for a minimum of three days—but in Florida’s heat, it’s smart to double that. Don’t forget pets; they need their share, too.

• After the storm: Boil notices are common. Boiling kills bacteria and viruses but doesn’t remove chemical contaminants, heavy metals, or sediment stirred up during a storm. A whole-home purification system with generator backup—or a portable filter—gives you peace of mind until the water supply is truly safe again.

2. Food & Cooking

• Non-perishables: Non-perishables are a non-negotiable when it comes to food through storm season. Stock up on canned goods, peanut butter, honey, granola, crackers, and trail mix. These can mean the difference between a hurricane party and feeling like you’re on an episode of Survivor.

• Manual Can Opener: Canned goods are useless if you can’t open them.

• Stoves and Grills: A small propane camp stove or grill is perfect for cooking when the power’s out. Use up perishable meats first before they spoil.

• Purified water: Purified water is essential for cooking things like pasta, rehydrating dried goods, or mixing baby formula safely.

3. Power & Lighting

• Extra Batteries & Battery Packs: Have flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns ready. Rechargeable battery packs are awesome for keeping a variety of items charged like satellite radios or cell phones.

• A Generator: Honestly, the state of Florida should just include generators in the welcome basket when you move here. You never need one until you do, and by then they are all sold out! If you have managed to score a generator, remember to run it safely (outside and away from windows) and understand the voltage limits and what you can power. 

• Candles: A great way to save battery power and very affordable.

4. Health, Hygiene & Medical

• First aid kit: Hospitals may be inaccessible or full during a storm.

• Hand sanitizer & disinfectant wipes: Save water for drinking by cleaning hands and surfaces this way.

• Clean water: Purified water is crucial for wound cleaning, brushing teeth, and washing hands to prevent illness.

5. Communications & Evacuation, and Pet Safety

• Radio: Since you likely won’t have cell service and may or may not be able to connect to satellite with your phone, having something like a NOAA Weather radio can be the difference in receiving important weather updates for your area or not.

• Portable clean water: If and when you evacuate, bring stored purified water or a portable purifier with you; you can’t assume your shelter will have safe water.

• Evacuation Routes & Pets: Even if you pride yourself on “never running” from a storm, understand that there are situations where staying put can be dangerous or even fatal. Know your designated evacuation routes well before you need them, and keep a printed copy in case your phone dies or you lose signal. Research pet-friendly hurricane shelters in your area now. If you’re staying with friends or at a hotel, confirm in advance that they allow animals. Keep a “pet grab-bag” ready.

6. Preparing Your Home:

• Secure Outdoors: Secure all outdoor furniture and grills, patio furniture can quickly turn into killer projectiles in hurricane force winds. 

• Board Up Windows and Doors: Invest in hurricane shutters or plywood to cover doors and windows to ensure your glass stays put. When and if you evacuate, make sure to lock your home to prevent looters from gaining access.

• Valuables, High & Dry: Photos, electronics, and keepsakes should be safe from floodwater when placed up high above estimated flood levels. 

• Water Purification Unit Straps: Did you know that All American Purification can Hurricane proof your home water system? With cutting edge technology, AAP can help ensure your home system stays put and is protected so that you have working and clean water when it is safe to return home. These hurricane proof straps are available upon request, call today to get on our schedule! (941)483-4426

Master Check List:

Water

• 1–2 gallons/person/day (plus pets)

• Food-grade containers

• Purification system serviced

• Portable filtration or bottled backup

• Bathtub water for hygiene only

Food

• 3–7 days non-perishables

• Manual can opener

• Portable cooking method

Power & Lighting

• Batteries, flashlights, lanterns & candles

• Generator + safe setup

Health & Hygiene

• First-aid kit, prescriptions

• Sanitizers, wipes

• Purified water for cleaning

Communications & Safety

• NOAA radio, chargers

• Evac plan, pet plan

Home

• Secure loose items

• Board windows/doors

• Hurricane-strap water equipment

We Are Here for You

Hurricane Preparation in Florida isn’t about panic—it’s about peace of mind. Whether you’re a lifelong Floridian or still getting used to life in the Sunshine State, remember: storms are inevitable, but being unprepared is optional. Protect your water, protect your home, protect your loved ones, and you’ll be ready to face hurricane season with confidence.

We’re not just a company; we’re your neighbors. We live here too, and we’re riding out these storms right alongside you. We know the challenges because we face them ourselves—year after year. That’s why we’re so passionate about helping our community prepare.

From hurricane-strapping your water system to ensuring your filtration is ready to go, our team is here to help. Don’t wait until the forecast turns—get your plan in place today.

Call us today to schedule your hurricane prep service—before the next storm is on the map.

(941) 483-4426