Treasure Coast Faces Above-Normal Hurricane Season; Prep Now Before June 1

The calendar says mid-April, but hurricane season arrives whether Treasure Coast families are ready or not — and this year, forecasters are already warning of an above-normal Atlantic season.

June 1 is the official start date, and emergency managers across Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties urge residents not to treat that deadline as a suggestion. The window to prepare is now, before store shelves thin out and contractors are booked solid.

Here is what officials say every Florida household should have in place before the first storm forms:

KNOW YOUR ZONE. Florida uses lethal-risk evacuation zones — labeled A through F — not distance from the coast. Zone A faces the highest storm surge threat. Residents should look up their zone at their county's emergency management website and commit it to memory, officials said.

BUILD YOUR KIT. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends a minimum 72-hour supply of water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, prescription medications, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and copies of critical documents stored in a waterproof container. For Treasure Coast households, add insect repellent — post-storm flooding breeds mosquitoes fast.

SECURE YOUR HOME NOW. Hurricane shutters, impact glass, and garage door bracing should be inspected and tested before a storm is named, public safety records show. Contractors become impossible to reach once a system enters the Gulf or Atlantic.

INSURANCE REVIEW. Homeowners should confirm their flood insurance policy is active and understand that standard homeowner's policies do not cover flood damage. The National Flood Insurance Program has a 30-day waiting period before new policies take effect — meaning anyone buying coverage today may still not be protected by June 1.

HAVE A PLAN. Decide now where you will go if an evacuation order is issued. Identify pet-friendly shelters, since most public shelters do not accept animals. Coordinate with elderly neighbors or family members who may need transportation assistance.

Martin County Emergency Management, St. Lucie County's Division of Emergency Management, and Indian River County Emergency Services all offer free preparedness guides in English and Spanish at their respective offices and online portals.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30. The six-week window before it opens is the most valuable time a Treasure Coast family has — and it is closing fast.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.