How many days of supplies should I have for a hurricane in Florida?

The Florida Division of Emergency Management advises at least 7 days of supplies, including food, water, medicine and batteries.

How much water do I need for a hurricane?

The CDC says to store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, and a 2-week supply if possible. Florida advises 7 days of supplies, so plan on at least 7 gallons per person, plus more for pets and hot weather.

Are hurricane supplies tax-free in Florida?

Since August 1, 2025, many disaster-preparedness items, including portable generators, batteries, tarps and carbon monoxide alarms, are exempt from Florida sales tax year-round. Check the Florida Department of Revenue for the exact list and limits.

When should I evacuate?

When your county orders your zone to evacuate. Counties may order Zone A out before you see any effects from the storm, so do not wait for the weather to look bad.

Hurricane preparedness checklist for Southwest Florida

Compiled by Joel Maldonado for SWFL.now from official sources · Last reviewed 20 October 2026

Before hurricane season (June 1 to November 30): look up your evacuation zone, sign up for county alerts, pick where you will go, build a kit with at least 7 days of food, water (at least 1 gallon per person per day) and medicine, check your insurance, and prepare your home. When a hurricane watch is issued, finish preparations; by a warning, they should be done.

Use this list in the order shown. The first part is for now, before any storm. The last part is for when one is coming.

1. Know your zones and sign up for alerts

Evacuation zone. Look it up for your address and for anyone you care for. See evacuation zones in Lee, Collier and Charlotte.
Flood zone. It affects insurance and repairs. See what flood zone am I in?
Alerts. Lee County: AlertLee and the LeePrepares app (Lee County). Collier County: AlertCollier, linked from Collier Emergency Management. Charlotte County: Alert Charlotte.
Special medical needs. If you or someone you care for needs help that does not require a hospital, register early with the county special needs program. Lee County's registry is here; registration does not guarantee a place, and the Florida Department of Health in Lee County advises registering before the peak of the season (DOH-Lee, July 2026). Collier: Special Needs program.

2. Make a plan

Decide where you will go if your zone is ordered out: a friend or relative outside the surge zone, a hotel, or a public shelter as a last resort. Charlotte County warns that because the county is low and surrounded by water, "it may not be possible to open any shelters in the County," so plan to leave the area (Charlotte County).
Plan for pets, medicines and anyone who cannot drive.
Agree on an out-of-area contact and where to meet.
Keep your car's tank from running low during the season.

3. Build a kit

The Florida Division of Emergency Management advises at least 7 days of supplies, covering food, water, medicine and batteries (FDEM). The CDC says to store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, more for pets, hot weather, pregnancy or illness, and to replace stored water every six months (CDC).

Water: at least 7 gallons per person for 7 days
Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
Prescription medicines and a written list of medicines and doses
First-aid kit, hygiene supplies and hand sanitizer
Flashlights, extra batteries and a battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radio
Phone chargers and power banks
Cash (ATMs and card readers fail when power is out)
Copies of ID, insurance policies and medical information in a waterproof bag
Pet food, carrier, leash and vaccination records
Tarps, duct tape and basic tools
A battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm if you will run a generator

Florida made many of these items, including portable generators, batteries, tarps, fuel cans of 5 gallons or less and carbon monoxide alarms, permanently exempt from sales tax starting August 1, 2025 (Volusia County summary). Check the Florida Department of Revenue for the current list and limits.

4. Check your insurance and paperwork

Flood is separate. Most homeowners and renters policies do not cover flood, and a new NFIP policy usually takes 30 days to take effect (FEMA). Buy it before a storm forms. See flood insurance in Florida.
Photograph or video each room and your belongings now, and store the files online.
Know your hurricane deductible and your insurer's claims phone number.

5. Prepare your home

Install shutters or impact protection on windows and doors, or have a plan to. The state's My Safe Florida Home program offers free wind inspections and grants for eligible homeowners.
Bring in or tie down outdoor furniture, grills and anything that can become debris (City of Cape Coral).
Move valuables and electronics off the floor, and raise what you can above expected flood levels.
If you are in a flood-prone area, see how to protect your home from flooding.

6. When a storm is coming

The National Weather Service defines the alerts this way (NWS):

Alert	What it means
Hurricane watch	Hurricane conditions possible; issued 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected
Hurricane warning	Hurricane conditions expected; issued 36 hours ahead, so preparations should be complete
Storm surge watch	Life-threatening flooding from rising water possible, generally within 48 hours
Storm surge warning	Life-threatening flooding expected, generally within 36 hours; check for evacuation orders
Extreme wind warning	Winds of 115 mph or more expected within an hour; shelter in an interior room of a sturdy building

At a watch: finish your kit, fill prescriptions, fuel the car, secure the yard, deploy shutters and any permitted flood barriers.
When your zone is ordered out: leave. Lee County says it "may order the evacuation of zone A before you see any effects of the tropical storm" (Lee County).
If you are not ordered out and stay home: keep your kit ready, charge devices, and listen to local officials.

7. After the storm

Return only when your county says it is safe.
Stay out of floodwater: "just six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet," and do not drive through flooded roads (City of Cape Coral).
Never run a generator indoors or in a garage. Keep it outside, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents (CPSC). See generator safety.
Document damage with photos before cleanup and contact your insurer.
Get permits before repairs. In the flood zone, repairs costing 50% or more of the building's market value require the whole building to meet current flood rules (FEMA).

Frequently asked questions

How many days of supplies should I have for a hurricane in Florida?: The Florida Division of Emergency Management advises at least 7 days of supplies, including food, water, medicine and batteries.
How much water do I need for a hurricane?: The CDC says to store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days, and a 2-week supply if possible. Florida advises 7 days of supplies, so plan on at least 7 gallons per person, plus more for pets and hot weather.
Are hurricane supplies tax-free in Florida?: Since August 1, 2025, many disaster-preparedness items, including portable generators, batteries, tarps and carbon monoxide alarms, are exempt from Florida sales tax year-round. Check the Florida Department of Revenue for the exact list and limits.
When should I evacuate?: When your county orders your zone to evacuate. Counties may order Zone A out before you see any effects from the storm, so do not wait for the weather to look bad.

About this guide. SWFL.now is a free information guide. It is not a government website. Facts are checked against FEMA, the National Hurricane Center, the State of Florida and Lee, Collier and Charlotte county agencies, and each source is linked where it is used. Rules, maps and programs change, so always confirm with the official source before you act. This is general information, not insurance, legal or engineering advice. SWFL.now is operated alongside FloodProtection.now and Flood Barrier Pros; see About.