Florida Hurricane Tracker
Florida is the most hurricane-exposed state in the country. Both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are open to storms, and the whole peninsula is low and flat, so storm surge is the deadliest hazard. The Big Bend, the Keys, Tampa Bay, and the southwest coast are the most surge-vulnerable stretches in the United States because the shallow Gulf shelf piles water onshore and the land is barely above sea level.
The last several landfalls show what that means. Hurricane Ian in 2022 hit Lee County as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds and a 10 to 15 foot surge that killed more than 150 people, many well outside the narrow forecast cone. Hurricane Michael in 2018 struck the Panhandle at Mexico Beach as a Category 5, the strongest on record there, after intensifying faster than forecast near landfall. Hurricane Helene in September 2024 made landfall in the Big Bend as a Category 4 yet still set the record storm surge for Tampa Bay from roughly 100 miles offshore, where 12 people in the region died, all from the water. Hurricane Milton in 2024 came ashore near Sarasota as a Category 3 and spawned 45 tornadoes across central and South Florida far from the center. Hurricane-force winds can reach 50 to 100 miles inland, and flooding rain and tornadoes can affect the whole state.
Radar
Composite radar, Florida.
Wind
ECMWF wind forecast, Florida.
Know Your Evacuation Zone
Florida assigns evacuation zones A through E by storm-surge risk, not by hurricane category. When a storm threatens, your county orders specific zones to evacuate, starting with Zone A on the coast. You usually do not need to leave the state; most people shelter tens of miles away in a sturdy building outside the ordered zone.
County Emergency Management
The most populous coastal counties. Your county office posts local evacuation orders, shelter openings, and re-entry information.
Metro pages
Tampa Bay
Local radar, evacuation routes, and county links.
Fort Myers and SW Florida
Local radar, evacuation routes, and county links.
Orlando and Central Florida
Coming soon
Miami and South Florida
Local radar, evacuation routes, and county links.
Jacksonville and NE Florida
Local radar, evacuation routes, and county links.
Keys and Key West
Coming soon
Florida-specific prep
Florida has the strongest hurricane building code in the country under the Florida Building Code, which requires wind-borne-debris protection, such as impact windows or approved shutters, on new construction in wind zones. South Florida, especially Miami-Dade and Broward, has the strictest rules.
Standard homeowners and wind policies do not cover flooding from storm surge or heavy rain. You need a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy, which has a 30-day waiting period, so it will not help for a storm already in the forecast.
Since August 1, 2025, a list of disaster-preparedness items, including portable generators, tarps, batteries, and fuel containers, is permanently sales-tax-free year-round in Florida. You no longer have to wait for a temporary tax holiday.
Many Florida counties run pet-friendly shelters, but space is limited and you usually must register in advance with proof of current vaccinations and a carrier. Otherwise, check with your county for the separate animal shelter that serves your area.
After the storm, you may not be allowed back until roads are cleared and utilities are restored. Carry a government photo ID showing your address, and check your county emergency management page for re-entry checkpoints and any curfew passes.
Frequently asked questions
Which parts of Florida face the highest storm surge risk?
The Big Bend, the Keys, Tampa Bay, and the southwest coast are the most surge-vulnerable stretches in the United States. The water there is shallow and the land is low, so the Gulf piles water onshore. The National Hurricane Center issues storm surge watches and warnings for these areas first.
Do I have to evacuate for every hurricane in Florida?
No. Evacuation is ordered by zone, not by hurricane category, and only for the zones a given storm threatens. If you are outside the ordered zone and your home is sound, you can shelter in place. Most hurricane deaths in Florida are from water, especially storm surge and inland flooding, not wind.
Does my Florida homeowners insurance cover hurricane flooding?
No. Standard homeowners and most wind policies do not cover flooding from storm surge or heavy rain. You need a separate National Flood Insurance Program policy, which has a 30-day waiting period, so it will not help for a storm already in the forecast.
Are hurricane supplies tax-free in Florida?
Yes. Since August 1, 2025, a list of disaster-preparedness items including portable generators, tarps, batteries, and fuel containers is permanently sales-tax-free year-round in Florida. You no longer have to wait for a temporary tax holiday.
Can I bring my pet to a hurricane shelter in Florida?
Many Florida counties offer pet-friendly shelters, but space is limited and you usually must register in advance with proof of current vaccinations and a carrier. Contact your county emergency management office before the storm to confirm the rules and register.
When was the last hurricane to hit Florida?
No tropical storm or hurricane made landfall in Florida in 2025. Hurricane Milton in October 2024, which came ashore near Sarasota as a Category 3, remains the most recent. Hurricane Helene's record surge hit the Tampa Bay region two weeks earlier, in September 2024, without a direct landfall there.
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Neighboring states
Florida borders Georgia and Alabama. Browse all states →