For those of you who have yet to experience hurricane season (consider yourself lucky), welcome aboard! New Times is here to provide a helpful guide for all your hurricane-prep needs when the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season kicks off on Saturday, June 1, and runs through November 30.
As things currently stand, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects an "above-normal" 2025 season, with anywhere from 13 to 19 named storms, three to five of which will have the potential to become major (Category 3 or higher) hurricanes.
While this year's forecast looks more promising than last year's slightly terrifying hurricane outlook, you must still be prepared. A devastating storm can show up at any moment thanks to climate change and global warming. But for god's sake, the government is not creating hurricanes despite what a whacky politician may claim.
Given the 2025 outlook, we all must get ready for the day a storm brewing in the Atlantic Ocean prompts a hurricane warning.
Here is how you should prepare — and what you should not do during a hurricane.
Editor's note: New Times is a local publication, and we write mainly for a local audience. Where applicable, we supply South Florida-specific information and links, so if you live elsewhere, your mileage may vary. That said, all the tips below apply to any location where hurricanes are a threat.
What to Pack in a Hurricane-Preparedness Kit
- Cases of water (one gallon per person per day) and nonperishable food (enough for at least seven days)
- Flashlights, batteries, and a battery-operated or hand-cranked NOAA weather radio for storm updates
- Cash and important documents, including photocopies of birth and marriage certificates, driver's licenses, passports, medical records, prescriptions, insurance policies, credit cards, insurance cards, bank numbers, pet records, copies of will, and social security card
- Two-week supply of medication, necessary medical supplies, and a list of allergies
- First aid kit
- Sanitation and hygiene products
- Toys for children
- A list of phone numbers to contact friends and family
- Pet supplies (food and water, carrier, leash, collar, medications, proper identification, vaccination, and medical records)
What to Do Before a Hurricane Arrives
- Top off your car's gas tank or charge your EV
- Install hurricane shutters on windows that are not hurricane-proof or impact-resistant as soon as possible (do not tape your windows — it will do more harm than good)
- Bring potted plants, outdoor furniture, and grills inside (hurricane-force winds can turn a lounge chair into a deadly projectile)
- Pay attention to local media and county alerts for evacuation orders, especially if you live in a low-lying area, an evacuation zone, a mobile home, or by the water
- Make sure your generator is working properly and has fuel
Evacuation Orders
For Miami-Dade County residents, miamidade.gov will announce evacuation orders. The county website will provide the list of evacuation centers (shelters) and emergency evacuation bus pickup locations, should you need assistance getting to a county evacuation center.Broward County residents can find hurricane updates and evacuation information on the county's official hurricane site. You can also find a copy of the county's emergency evacuation map to determine if you reside in Evacuation Plan A or Evacuation Plan B. Broward will also open shelters.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officer helps to evacuate a flooded neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton on October 10, 2024.
Hurricanes and Pets
Please do not leave your furry friends behind in a storm emergency!Pet Disaster Alert (PDA) launched in Florida in July 2024. It's a free disaster-relief plan from Flew The Coop and FideoAlert that offers a smart pet tag, a "Pet Prep Playbook," and real-time SMS alerts. The plan works as follows:
- Pre-Storm Prep: Get guidance on pet-friendly shelters and disaster prep
- Pet Tag: Get a free tag with your pet's name and unique ID number, linked to a national database
- Real-Time Alerts: Receive SMS updates with resources for you and your pets during the storms
- Lost Pet Support: If your pet goes missing, you can send a text alert to everyone in the area. Scan the tag's QR to contact you and your emergency contacts automatically
Broward County operates some pet-friendly shelters.
What Not to Do During a Hurricane
- Do not ignore evacuation orders and "ride out tgghe storm"
- Do not drive (stay inside!)
- Do not go outside until an official all-clear is issued
- Stay away from windows and glass doors
- Do not run your generator indoors
- Do not use candles — stick to lanterns and flashlights