Florida people are not hurricane strangers. For six months each year, Florida homeowners bend over due to strong winds, potential flooding, heavy rain and flapping flows. A hurricane can be destructive and knowing how your home insurance will protect your home financially is an important part of your hurricane preparation. Bankrate’s editorial concludes all the information Florida homeowners need to know about Hurricane Season 2025.
When is the 2025 hurricane season in Florida?
Florida’s hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th. If you’re wondering when Florida’s peak hurricane season will be, most activities can be seen from August to October. However, mid-September is generally more aggressive when it comes to tropical storms. The damage caused by hurricanes can reach much more inland in the US, but states abutting the coast face higher risk. High-risk areas include coastal areas of Florida, Texas, Mississippi and North Carolina, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Predictions for the 2025 Hurricane Season
Every year, NOAA publishes forecasts for the year’s hurricane season. This year we are predicting a 60% chance of “normal” hurricane activity. Here’s how it actually looks:
- There are storms with names from 13 to 19, winds of over 39 mph.
- Of the storm’s names, 6-10 are expected to be hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or more.
- On the Safir Simpson Hurricane Style Scale, three major hurricanes are Category 3, 4, or 5. The wind is over 111 mph.
A prominent hurricane in Florida history
Florida has a long history of hurricanes, with the first recorded hurricanes returning in 1523. Approximately 120 tropical storms have been blown away near or above Florida, making it the country’s most hurricane-prone state. Some hurricanes are simply inconvenient for residents, while others can destroy the entire community. The table below shows the estimated asset losses (both insured and uninsured) of some of Florida’s most notable storms.
| Hurricane | year | category | Property damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew | 1992 | 5 | $60.2 billion |
| Ivan | 2004 | 3 | $33.8 billion |
| Charlie | 2004 | 4 | $26.6 billion |
| Wilma | 2005 | 3 | $30 billion |
| Irma | 2017 | 4 | $63.5 billion |
| Michael | 2018 | 5 | $31 billion |
| Ian | 2022 | 4 | $118.5 billion |
| Source: NOAA |
Hurricanes have a risk of being careful
Hurricanes have a variety of potential threats and knowing how to handle each one is a big part of preparing for the season. Below are some of the risks to keep in mind if you live in the Florida coast.
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Strong wind
To be considered a hurricane, the storm must have sustained winds of over 74 mph. At that speed, the wind can seriously damage your roof, leaving your home changing cracks in the foundation, and severely damaging infrastructure such as power lines. The inside of your home can also be damaged as strong winds can damage windows and doors, allowing rain and flying debris to enter your home. Florida is relatively flat, so winds may remain strong even in the state’s inland. -
flood
The amount of floods that are likely to be experienced in hurricanes is related to the speed of the storm’s movement. A slow-moving storm can throw away any number of inches of rain in one place. Floods can occur even hundreds of miles from the center of the storm, as is the case with strong winds. However, don’t forget that standard homeowner insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. If you live in an area with frequent hurricanes, a supplemental flood policy might be a good idea. If you live in a high-risk flood zone, you may need to purchase flood insurance. -
Takashiro
Storm surges can be caused by hurricanes, resulting in an unusual rise in the seawater pushed towards the coast. Combined with the effects of strong winds and the effects of tide action, this water wall could be 25 feet above normal sea level. Most hurricane deaths are caused by individuals who cannot escape surges or floods. If you live in an area where you frequently watch hurricanes, it is important to know if you live in an evacuation zone. There, a storm may arise and you may be ordered to leave the house to protect yourself and your family.
Get the right home insurance for the hurricane season in Florida
It’s important to take time, especially during the crisis in the Florida home insurance market. Given Florida’s number one hurricane-prone state status, Florida residents will do well with having a robust homeowner insurance policy that is financially prepared. Depending on your location in the state, you may need multiple types of insurance, such as flood insurance. This must be purchased separately from homeowner insurance.
Typically, standard home policies cover wind damage. However, Florida residents may be required to pay another deduction for this compensation. Deductions may be a specific amount or a percentage of your coverage. So, if you have $300,000 in housing insurance, for example, and you’re deducted at 2%, you’ll be paying a pocket of up to $6,000 for storm damage to your home.
Regional Hurricane Risks in Florida
Different parts of Florida are at different risk levels to experience hurricane severity. For example, facing the Gulf Coast, Florida’s southwest coastline is one of the most at-risk regions in the hurricane state. The most risky areas tend to be followed by the Florida Key, the Panhandle that follows the southeastern and southwest coasts. Other parts of Florida are at risk, but the odds of experiencing a severe hurricane are the highest in the areas mentioned.
Common types of hurricane damage
There are different types of hurricane damage that can affect your home, which can require extensive repairs. When a hurricane lands, the average sustained wind speed is usually in the range of 74-150 mph. If the storm is strong, the wind can exceed 200 mph. If your home is on hurricane roads, wind damage is likely. Structural damage such as damage to the roof and siding is also common.
Flood damage is a serious risk of a hurricane. Storm surges and heavy rain can cause major damage to both the interior and exterior of the home. In severe cases, flooding can even lead to complete losses.
Depending on the storm category, hurricanes can cause more than $2 billion in damage, making them one of the most common natural disasters.
How to prepare your home for a hurricane
In addition to knowing when hurricane season will occur, you should also make sure you take steps to prepare your home for a potential hurricane. There are several ways to help protect your property, such as raising furniture to avoid flood damage, ensuring that the roof is in good condition, and investigating local risk analysis that will help you address the possible causes of damage.
If you need to evacuate ahead of a storm, prepare a storm kit for food, water and other essentials. FEMA recommends a minimum of three days of food and water supply, but more needs should be measured based on the size of your family, pets and location.
