North Florida Hurricane
Season Readiness Checklist
A comprehensive, phase-by-phase checklist for Tallahassee-area homeowners, businesses, and organizations — built from real lessons learned after Hurricanes Helene and Idalia.
Built for North Florida
Tailored to the specific hazards, resources, and recovery landscape of Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, and surrounding counties.
Lessons from Helene & Idalia
Every item on this checklist reflects real gaps and successes observed in North Florida communities after recent major hurricanes.
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Print this checklist for your home, office, or organization. Share it with neighbors, staff, and community members — no cost, no sign-up.
North Florida Hurricane Season Readiness Checklist
Prepared by J. Jacobs Public Safety Enterprise · jjacobspublicsafety.com · 1.561.542.3715
Tallahassee, FL · Serving Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor & surrounding counties
Printed: April 17, 2026
Hurricane Season: June 1 – November 30
Before Hurricane Season (May)
Complete by June 1Review and update your Emergency Response Plan (ERP)
CriticalInclude evacuation routes, shelter locations, and communication trees
Confirm flood zone designation for your home or facility
CriticalCheck Leon County's flood map at leoncountyfl.gov
Review and update homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
CriticalConfirm wind and flood coverage — standard policies often exclude flood
Purchase or renew NFIP flood insurance if in a flood zone
CriticalFlood policies have a 30-day waiting period — don't wait for a storm watch
Inspect and reinforce roof, windows, and doors
ImportantNorth Florida homes are especially vulnerable to wind-driven rain
Test backup generator and stock fuel
ImportantAfter Helene, many Tallahassee residents were without power for 2+ weeks
Trim trees and remove dead branches near structures
ImportantFalling trees caused the majority of Tallahassee damage in Hurricane Helene
Identify and register vulnerable household members with Leon County Special Needs Registry
ImportantCall (850) 606-5000 or visit leoncountyfl.gov
Establish an out-of-state emergency contact
RecommendedLocal phone lines are often overwhelmed — an out-of-state contact can relay messages
Back up important documents digitally (insurance, IDs, deeds, medical records)
RecommendedStore in cloud storage or a waterproof container
Hurricane Watch Issued (48–72 hrs out)
72 hours before landfallActivate your Emergency Response Team and notify all staff
CriticalConfirm everyone has received the communication and knows their role
Fill vehicle gas tanks and withdraw cash
CriticalATMs and gas stations run out quickly — do this immediately when a watch is issued
Stock 7-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day)
CriticalAfter Helene, some Tallahassee neighborhoods had boil-water notices for 10+ days
Stock 7-day supply of non-perishable food
CriticalInclude manual can opener, paper plates, and utensils
Fill all prescriptions and stock 30-day supply of medications
CriticalPharmacies close and supply chains are disrupted after major storms
Back up all critical business data to off-site or cloud storage
CriticalDo this before power becomes unreliable
Photograph or video all property and equipment for insurance documentation
ImportantWalk through every room and every piece of equipment
Charge all devices and portable battery banks
ImportantInclude phones, laptops, medical devices, and hearing aids
Notify vendors, clients, and stakeholders of potential disruption
ImportantSet up auto-reply emails and update voicemail with storm information
Identify and check on elderly neighbors and vulnerable community members
RecommendedEstablish a buddy system before the storm hits
Hurricane Warning Issued (24–48 hrs out)
48 hours before landfallExecute evacuation plan if in an evacuation zone
CriticalKnow your Leon County evacuation zone (A–F) at leoncountyfl.gov/Emergency-Management
Secure or bring indoors all outdoor furniture, equipment, and signage
CriticalUnsecured items become dangerous projectiles in hurricane-force winds
Install hurricane shutters or board windows with plywood
CriticalUse 5/8" plywood minimum — pre-cut and label panels for each window
Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings
ImportantA full freezer stays cold for 48 hours without power; a full refrigerator for 4 hours
Fill bathtubs with water for flushing toilets
ImportantWater service may be disrupted even if you shelter in place
Locate and test flashlights, lanterns, and battery-powered radio
ImportantNOAA Weather Radio is the most reliable information source during a storm
Prepare go-bag with 72-hour essentials if evacuation becomes necessary
ImportantInclude documents, medications, phone chargers, cash, and change of clothes
Confirm shelter location if not evacuating or sheltering at home
RecommendedLeon County shelter locations at leoncountyfl.gov/Emergency-Management
Disconnect non-essential electronics and appliances
RecommendedPower surges during restoration can damage electronics
During the Storm
Storm is activeStay indoors and away from windows and glass doors
CriticalMove to an interior room on the lowest floor if winds are extreme
Do NOT go outside during the eye of the storm
CriticalThe eye can pass in 20–30 minutes — dangerous winds return quickly
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or local emergency broadcasts
CriticalTallahassee: WTXL-TV, WCTV, and Leon County Emergency Management social media
Keep phones charged using battery banks — conserve battery
ImportantLimit calls to emergencies only; use text messages when possible
Do NOT use generators, grills, or camp stoves indoors
CriticalCarbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of storm-related deaths
Document any damage as it occurs if safe to do so
RecommendedPhotos and timestamps strengthen insurance claims
After the Storm — Immediate Recovery
0–72 hours afterDo NOT re-enter your facility until it has been cleared as structurally safe
CriticalWait for official all-clear from Leon County Emergency Management
Document ALL damage immediately with photos and video
CriticalTimestamp everything — this is critical for FEMA and insurance claims
Register for FEMA Individual Assistance at disasterassistance.gov
CriticalRegister even if you're unsure you qualify — the deadline is typically 60 days post-declaration
Contact your insurance company to file a claim
CriticalDocument the date and time of your call and the claim number
Activate your Business Continuity Plan
CriticalNotify staff, clients, and vendors of your recovery timeline and alternate operations
Check on elderly neighbors and vulnerable community members
ImportantDial 2-1-1 (Big Bend) to report welfare concerns or request assistance
Avoid downed power lines and flooded roads
CriticalStanding water may be electrically charged or deeper than it appears
Use generators outdoors only — at least 20 feet from windows and doors
CriticalRun extension cords through windows or doors — never use indoors
Contact SBA Disaster Loan Program for business recovery assistance
ImportantLow-interest loans available after declared disasters — apply at sba.gov/disaster
Reach out to Florida VOAD for volunteer and donated goods coordination
Recommendedfloridavoad.org connects communities with relief organizations
Long-Term Recovery & Resilience Building
30–180 days afterApply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding
CriticalPost-disaster HMGP funds can pay for resilience upgrades — window closes in 12–18 months
Update or develop your Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)
ImportantRequired for FEMA grant eligibility — J. Jacobs Public Safety can help
Conduct an after-action review of your emergency response
ImportantWhat worked? What failed? Document lessons learned and update your plan
Invest in structural mitigation: roof reinforcement, impact windows, generator hookups
ImportantHMGP and BRIC grants can fund up to 75% of eligible project costs
Develop or update your Business Continuity Plan
ImportantIf your BCP failed during this storm, now is the time to fix it
Conduct staff training and tabletop exercises
RecommendedA plan that's never practiced is a plan that will fail under pressure
Engage with Leon County's Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) process
RecommendedCommunity input shapes how federal mitigation funds are prioritized in Leon County
Need help building your Emergency Response or Business Continuity Plan?
Contact J. Jacobs Public Safety Enterprise · jjacobspublicsafety.com · 1.561.542.3715 · jjacobspsellc@outlook.com
Free 30-minute consultation — no obligation. Serving North Florida and beyond.
A checklist is a start.
A plan is what saves you.
This checklist helps you prepare. But when a major storm hits, the organizations that recover fastest are those with documented Emergency Response Plans, Business Continuity Plans, and FEMA-compliant Hazard Mitigation Plans — built before the storm, not after.
Our team at J. Jacobs Public Safety Enterprise has helped dozens of North Florida organizations build exactly these plans. We offer a free 30-minute consultation to assess your current preparedness posture — no obligation.
Emergency Response Plans
Documented procedures for the first 72 hours of any crisis — tailored to your organization.
Business Continuity Plans
Keep your doors open after a disaster. Protect revenue, staff, and mission-critical functions.
Hazard Mitigation Plans
FEMA-compliant LHMPs that unlock federal grant funding for resilience projects.
FEMA Grant Management
We help you access HMGP, BRIC, and PDM funding — from application to closeout.