Protect Yourself, Your Family and Your Community This Hurricane Season

Weather researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) released an early outlook for the 2026 hurricane season, predicting slightly below-normal activity. However, as many Florida residents know, especially those in Leon County, it only takes one landfalling hurricane to make it an active season for us all. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30 (reaching a peak in August, September, and October), is expected to produce 13 named storms in 2026. Six of those could become hurricanes, and two could grow into major hurricanes.

Florida is an active state for devastating hurricanes and tropical storms. History has repeatedly demonstrated that inland communities such as ours are just as susceptible to hurricane impacts like flooding, tornadoes, and high winds. As we know from Hurricanes Hermine (2016), Irma (2017), Michael (2018), Ian (2022), and Debby (2024), every emergency exposes different vulnerabilities, tests a community’s partnerships uniquely, and reveals opportunities for improvement in various ways.

Leon County Government remains committed to addressing the urgent needs of the citizens we serve before, during, and after weather-related disasters. We continue to keep our community engaged, listen to our citizens, and address the challenges we face together. This commitment to learning and improving led to FEMA and the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes designating Leon County as the first #HurricaneStrong community in the nation. You too can become #HurricaneStrong by following these steps:

Personal Safety –

Know your risks. The Big Bend is vulnerable to a variety of hazards from hurricanes to wildfires.
Review the Leon County Disaster Survival Guide at LeonReady.com for preparedness information for all kinds of hazards.

Family Preparedness –

Have a plan, have a kit, and stay informed to prepare your family for disasters.
Have at least three days’ worth of supplies on hand.
Know where to shelter in your home if an emergency occurs.
Know what evacuation routes to use if necessary.
Decide how your family will communicate with one another when a disaster strikes.
Stay informed.
Follow your local media sources, like radio, television, or online news.
Download the Leon County Citizens Connect App, which is available from the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Get updates from Leon County online at LeonCountyFL.gov/ei.
Tune into WFSU Radio (88.9 FM) and iHeartMedia to receive real-time emergency information from Leon County’s Emergency Operations Center during a disaster.

Neighborhood Preparedness –

Work with neighbors to help them understand their risks and how best to prepare.

Financial Security –

Each year, check with your insurance carrier to ensure you have the right amount of appropriate coverage. Standard homeowner’s insurance typically does not cover flooding.
Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. ATMs and credit card machines may not work during a disaster.

Strengthen Your Home –

Stay safe if you are climbing on your roof; many injuries related to falls occur before hurricanes.
Temporary plywood shutters can be created to protect your windows and glass sliding doors from wind impacts during hurricanes. Complete well in advance of the hurricane.
Sandbags can temporarily be positioned around your home to help divert water from vulnerable areas, such as external doors and garage doors.
Place heavy-duty plastic sheeting between doors and sandbags for more protection.

By taking these steps, you can help minimize the impact of a catastrophic event, should it happen to you. Take the time to prepare beforehand so that you can act accordingly during the crisis and recover faster and better after the event. Whether we have an active or mild 2026 hurricane season, just a little bit of planning now goes a long way in ensuring the safety and welfare of you, your family, and your neighborhood.