Hurricane Preparedness for Hillsborough County

Updated September 2026 · 7 min read

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from mid-August through mid-October[reference:11]. Forecasts this year suggest a 55% probability of a "below normal" season, but as any Tampa Bay resident knows, it only takes one storm[reference:12].

This guide covers Florida's official 5-step preparedness plan, what Hillsborough County homeowners specifically need to do, and the insurance steps most people forget until it's too late.

Step 1: Know Your Zone

Hillsborough County redrew its evacuation zone maps for the 2026 season. Some zones now stretch farther inland, including communities like Town 'N' Country, Apollo Beach, and Thonotosassa. In Town 'N' Country, some neighborhoods moved from Zone B into Zone A — the highest-risk category[reference:13].

Other changes: some areas moved from Zone D to Zone C, and some previously unzoned properties are now in Zone E[reference:14]. Even if you've lived in the same house for 20 years, check your zone again this year.

You can look up your current evacuation zone on the Hillsborough County website. Sign up for county alerts while you're there.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Florida's Division of Emergency Management recommends every household coordinate a meeting spot and a communication plan before a storm forms[reference:15]. Key questions to answer now, not during a storm:

• Where will you go if you evacuate? (A friend's house inland, a hotel, a shelter?)
• How will you communicate if cell service goes down?
• What about pets? Not all shelters accept animals.
• Who needs extra help — elderly neighbors, people with medical needs?

Step 3: Build a Kit

You need at least one gallon of water per person per day for 3 to 7 days, plus a week's worth of non-perishable food, medications, and supplies for every person in the household[reference:16][reference:17]. Don't forget:

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Important documents in a waterproof container
• Cash (ATMs may not work)
• Phone chargers and a portable battery bank

Step 4: Prepare Your Home

Your home preparation checklist depends on your construction type and age, but the essentials are:

• Trim trees and shrubs away from the house. Dead branches become projectiles.
• Clear gutters and drains. Water damage often starts with a clogged system.
• Install or test storm shutters or cut plywood panels to fit your windows.
• Secure outdoor furniture, grills, and anything loose. If it can blow away, it can break a window.
• Take a home inventory. Walk through every room with your phone and record video of everything you own. This is essential for insurance claims[reference:19].

Step 5: Review Your Insurance Before the Storm

This is the step people skip, and it's the most expensive mistake. Insurance companies stop writing new policies when a storm is named. You cannot buy coverage the day before landfall.

Before hurricane season, confirm:

• Your homeowners policy is active and covers wind damage. Some Florida policies have separate wind deductibles — often 2–5% of your dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount.
• You have separate flood insurance. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Flood insurance through FEMA's NFIP typically has a 30-day waiting period, so you cannot buy it when a storm is approaching.
• Your coverage limits are adequate. Construction costs in Hillsborough County have risen sharply. If you haven't reviewed your dwelling coverage in three years, you may be underinsured.

For the full breakdown of what Hillsborough homeowners are paying and how to lower premiums before storm season, see our insurance costs guide.