Marking the midpoint between June 1 and November 30 and the historical peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, September serves as a timely reminder for the Tampa Bay region to assess their level of preparedness and make necessary updates to their emergency plans. Residents and businesses are encouraged to finalize their disaster plans and take advantage of preparedness resources this month.
Whether preparing on your own, with your family or for your organization or business, it is important to take time now to solidify your disaster plan by following the road to hurricane preparedness. Here are the top tips from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for staying hurricane ready this season and beyond.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year, with historical activity typically peaking in September. Over the last 60 years, the Atlantic Basin has recorded at least one named storm during the month of September each year, underscoring the importance of remaining prepared even when the earlier months of hurricane season have been relatively quiet (www.floridadisaster.org).
Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Exemption
As of July 1, 2025, many disaster preparedness supplies, including batteries, fire extinguishers and portable generators, are permanently exempt from Florida sales tax. Floridians can take advantage of this year-round exemption when building or restocking their disaster supply kits. Visit FloridaDisaster.org/TaxFree for a comprehensive list of eligible items.
Ways to Prepare
Floridians should know and follow the 5 Steps of Hurricane Preparedness. Hover over each box for more information:
If you or someone in your household requires 24-hour care or relies on electricity for medical needs, register with Florida’s Special Needs Registry. Registering in advance helps local emergency management officials better understand and plan for community needs before, during and after a disaster.
Preparedness looks different for every business, organization, and household, but every Floridian can take steps now to become more resilient. Whether it is signing up for local alerts, packing essential supplies for your children, checking your evacuation zone or identifying a safe place to go, preparing before a storm is on the horizon is always better than waiting until it arrives.
TBRPC Resources
Coming Soon!
The TBRPC is launching a quarterly emergency management newsletter that will provide information and updates from the Tampa Bay region across all hazards. If you have a story or information you would like shared in the newsletter, please contact Amy Bidwell at amy@tbrpc.org.
Questions?
If you would like more information or are unable to find what you are looking for, please contact Amy Bidwell, Manager of Resiliency and Emergency Management at amy@tbrpc.org.
