The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and it will be here before you know it. Forecasters are already urging people to begin making storm preparations as early predictions say it could be another above-normal year.
Preparing for hurricane season is a daunting task, whether it’s your first season or if it’s been a while since you’ve revisited plans and checked your supplies.
With two months to go, now is the perfect time to start preparing for hurricane season without an overwhelming deadline looming over your head.
Here are 10 things you can do this weekend to get a head start on preparing for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Take inventory of your hurricane supplies
A hurricane supplies kit should consist of everything you and your family need to survive for several days in the case of an emergency. It tends to consist of everyday household basics like food, water, first aid kits, batteries, flashlights and anything else needed to get by.
Now is the perfect time to either create an inventory of your hurricane supplies or double-check what you have. Make sure you have no missing items and that you replace anything that needs to be replaced due to its age. Ensure that batteries and flashlights are still working, and start making a list of anything you might need to add this year.
Make a list of bigger purchases and watch for sales/wait for hurricane preparedness tax holiday
Preparing for a hurricane is expensive, and situations change all of the time. Now is a great time to make a plan for some needed bigger purchases. Take your newly updated hurricane supply inventory and throw on some bigger purchases like a chainsaw or generator.
Making a plan for bigger purchases now gives you two months to save before the start of hurricane season. If you already have the funds, it also gives you a chance to keep an eye open for sales on these items or wait until Florida’s hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday, which typically starts around June 1.
Start stockpiling prescriptions
Medicines lose efficacy over time, so start thinking about using last year’s stock of medicines and replacing it over the next few months. It’s also the perfect time to start a medicine stockpile if you didn’t last year.
Don’t forget about your pets
Your pets are an important part of the family and they’re going to need supplies, too. Make sure they have enough food stockpiled for the same amount of time as your family and don’t forget any medicines they may need, too.
It’s also a good idea to stock up on things you may not often think about, such as liquid absorbing pads for accidents during a storm or anything else useful.
Run through your emergency plan with your family to spot what needs updating
Now is the perfect time to run through your emergency plan with your family for a couple of reasons. First, it’s better to have an emergency plan ingrained in muscle memory rather than relying on actual memory.
Running through the plan will also bring up opportunities to update it. Did someone’s phone number change since last year? Do you need to include someone new in the plan? This will all come up naturally.
It’s also a good opportunity to make sure that external details like evacuation routes, shelters and evacuation zones haven’t changed since last year.
Get an emergency go-bag ready if you don’t already have one
Hurricanes aren’t necessarily increasing in frequency, but they are increasing in strength and last-minute intensity. At this point, every Floridian should have an emergency go-bag with three day’s worth of supplies they can grab and leave with at a moment’s notice.
Make sure your home insurance coverage is enough and in good standing
Check your insurance coverage and make sure it’s in good standing. If you have any issues with your home insurance, it’s best to get it taken care of before moving into hurricane season. Florida home insurance companies will often stop writing new policies when a storm enters the Gulf, putting anyone with a temporary lapse in coverage in danger of riding out a storm unprotected.
Take an inventory of your personal property or start one
Speaking of insurance, do you have an inventory of your personal property? Most Florida homeowners have their personal property insured at replacement cost rather than actual cash value.
This means that you’ll receive the full amount of money required to purchase a new version of any lost personal property. Actual cash value only covers the item’s depreciated value.
Having a home inventory with photos can ensure you’re getting the most from a potential claim, so be sure to document any items that you would want to be replaced.
Even replacement cost has its limits, however. Valuable items should be insured separately or scheduled on your home insurance.
Learn about upcoming NHC changes for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season
The National Hurricane Center is always updating its products and there are new things to learn every season. Now is a great time to familiarize yourself with what is new and what has changed for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
The NHC has already announced more than a few changes it’s making for the upcoming hurricane season, like updating its “cone of uncertainty” and providing an earlier window to send alerts about potential tropical activity.
Clear your yard of debris now rather than later
A pine cone seems innocent enough until it’s launched at a window at hurricane-force speeds. If you haven’t already taken advantage of springtime weather to get out into the yard and start whipping it into shape now is a good chance to do so.
You’ll still need to clear your yard of debris before every potential hurricane, but it’s a much quicker job when it hasn’t been left to pile up beforehand.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Hurricane season prep: 10 ways you can start preparing today