How to Prepare for a Hurricane: Safety tips from FPL

In Summary:

Florida Power & Light is encouraging residents to prepare now for the six-month hurricane season by creating emergency plans and assembling storm kits. The utility emphasized evacuation readiness, generator safety, power line awareness, and keeping important documents accessible before severe weather arrives. FPL also urged customers to stay informed through local emergency management agencies and outage updates after storms.

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At Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), safety is the cornerstone of our commitment to customers and employees. It is not a matter of if but of when the next hurricane will hit our state, which is why it’s important to be proactive in planning for the six-month hurricane season.

Related: Early hurricane prep key for residents with special needs.

Whether you're a longtime Floridian or new to the state, having a plan in place is the best way to stay safe this storm season. Below is a list of what you can do before, during, and after a storm.

What is a Hurricane Emergency Plan?

• Determine whether your home or business is located in a flood or evacuation zone and review local evacuation routes.
• Determine your backup power source or make arrangements to relocate if a storm warning is issued.
• The Division of Emergency Management recommends that drivers keep their gas tanks at least half full throughout hurricane season. Electric vehicle (EV) owners should aim to maintain a charge between 50% and 80% at all times.
• Reach out to your local emergency management office if you or anyone you know has special medical needs in case of an evacuation. Apply for our Medically Essential Service designation if someone in your home relies on electric-powered equipment.

What Should a Hurricane Emergency Kit Contain?

• Build an emergency kit with non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, medications, and a first-aid kit. Don’t forget phone chargers, power banks, and a waterproof container for important documents.
• Don’t forget information such as insurance policies, health cards, birth certificates, Social Security cards, a list of emergency contacts, and a recent copy of your FPL bill.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane 

• Install approved hurricane shutters over windows and doors or using alternate covering such as plywood.
• Move patio furniture and outdoor items indoors, fasten doors and windows, and cover valuables and furniture with plastic and move away from windows.
• Turn off and unplug unnecessary electronics, including pool equipment, and set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings to keep food fresh longer during an outage.
• DO NOT attempt to trim trees or vegetation near overhead power lines yourself – only hire qualified professionals to trim trees and other vegetation near power lines. VisitFPL.com/trees for more information on our tree trimming policies.
• Look up and note the location of power lines before you begin working on a ladder. Be sure that any ladders or scaffolds are far enough away so that you – and the ends of the tools you're using – don't come within 10 feet of power lines.

What are the Important Safety Steps After a Hurricane?

• If you're planning to use a portable generator, read and follow all the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to set it up outside – not in your home or garage – and connect appliances directly to it. Do not wire your generator directly to your home’s breaker or fuse box, as the power you generate may flow back into power lines and cause injuries.
• Stay far away from any downed power lines and do not touch them, and avoid flooded, debris-laden areas that may be hiding them.

How Can Floridians Stay Informed After a Storm?

• Bookmark FPL.com and save 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) to your cell phone to report and check the status of your restoration.
• Stay informed by following your local news and @insideFPL for updates on storm conditions and heed warnings.

FPL works year-round to be ready for severe weather and urges customers to prepare by prioritizing safety this storm season. For more tips, visit FPL.com/storm.

Key Points:

• Florida Power & Light is encouraging residents to prepare now for hurricane season, stressing that early planning can improve safety before storms threaten Florida.
• FPL recommends that households create a hurricane emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, backup power arrangements, and preparations for family members with medical needs.
• Emergency kits should include non-perishable food, bottled water, medications, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, important documents, and copies of insurance information and utility bills.
• The utility advises residents to secure their homes before storms by installing shutters, bringing outdoor furniture indoors, unplugging electronics, and avoiding tree trimming near power lines unless performed by qualified professionals.
• After storms, FPL warns residents to stay away from downed power lines and use portable generators safely outdoors to prevent injuries and dangerous backfeeding into power systems.