Planning a vacation to Florida but not sure if it’s worth visiting during hurricane season? As native Floridians, we are very familiar with hurricanes. Jonathan went through Hurricane Andrew during his childhood, and our whole family has weathered multiple hurricanes in recent years. While a tropical system impacting your travel will always be a possibility during the months of June-November, with some preparation and smart planning, you can still have a fun and memorable Florida vacation during this time of year.
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PLAN AHEAD WITH FLEXIBILITY IN MIND
Hurricane season extends from June 1 through November 30, although the peak time when storms are most likely is from August through October. Although you may be tempted to write off these months as potential travel dates, the period from August until October is also one of Florida’s shoulder seasons, when kids go back to school and crowds start to thin at Florida’s prime tourist spots. As a result, it’s possible to find lower prices for accommodations and attractions during this time.
Forecasters will typically begin to give tropical outlooks about a week in advance of a potential storm reaching land, and predictions increase in accuracy around three days before landfall. The good news is that, unlike some other natural disasters such as earthquakes, the monitoring system for hurricanes allows for enough advance warning to make preparations and evacuate if necessary. The bad news is that there may not be enough time to change your travel plans, and depending on the length of your stay, you may already be in Florida by the time a storm forms off the coast.
Our best advice is to be as adaptable as possible with travel plans. This includes booking accommodations and even flights–if possible–that have flexible cancellation policies. When we’re planning travel within Florida or anywhere that may be impacted by tropical systems in the late summer and fall, we always check the cancellation policy to make sure we have options if something arises that impacts our trip. Some hotels may have policies for extenuating circumstances, such as impending hurricanes, so it’s worth calling and asking if this information is not provided on the website.
Another tip is to consider travel insurance that covers weather-related cancellations. Whether travel insurance is worth purchasing will depend on other factors, like your ability to be flexible with travel plans and the overall cost of your trip, but it’s definitely worth considering for the peace of mind.
PACK FOR ALL SCENARIOS
I am not a big fan of overpacking, especially when I have to check a bag during a flight and every ounce counts! The following suggestions for what to pack, however, are applicable for your Florida trip in general, even without an impending hurricane. Florida’s weather can be wet and unpredictable and thunderstorms can develop suddenly, so consider bringing along the following items to make your trip more comfortable.
Lightweight rain jacket: Lightweight rain jackets are great because they don’t take up much space when packing and protect from the wind and rain while still being breathable.
Waterproof shoes: These will be a life saver when walking around during or after a hard rain when puddles are everywhere. Choose shoes that are closed-toe, waterproof, and comfortable, especially if you plan to do a lot of walking.
Umbrella: We like these compact travel umbrellas because they don’t take up much space and are easy to carry around in a purse or backpack. We’ve used them on multiple trips and occasions and they’ve held up well.
Portable power bank: A portable charger can be useful if your accommodation loses power but also just in general if you are traveling on a plane or in a car without the ability to charge your phone or other devices.
Waterproof bags for documents: If you will be bringing important documents with you, make sure to have waterproof bags to keep them safe in all kinds of weather.
WHAT TO DO IF A HURRICANE APPROACHES WHILE YOU'RE IN FLORIDA
If a tropical storm or hurricane approaches while you’re in Florida, the best thing to do is to use reliable sources to monitor conditions daily and follow all local advice, including evacuation orders if applicable. The National Hurricane Center, as well as local weather stations and apps, will all keep you updated on warnings and recommendations. (Note: The National Hurricane Center releases advisories every six hours at 5am, 11am, 5pm, and 11pm. These are the best times to check for the latest updates.)
Make sure that you shelter in a sturdy hotel or other safe accommodation, and have plenty of non-perishable food and bottled water on hand in case of power outages and store and restaurant closures. Most importantly, stay away from coastal areas and avoid going outside in high winds and flooding. Inland cities and central Florida areas are safer options than towns along the coast.
If you choose to evacuate, make sure you locate the local evacuation routes in advance and leave early–roads can get very congested and it can take hours to go even short distances. May you sure that you fill up your car with gas before leaving, as there are often gas shortages when a hurricane threatens land.
MAKE THE MOST OF RAINY DAYS
What if the storm misses your area but still brings lots of rain that puts a damper on your plans? As long as it is safe to do so–if businesses are open and there are no warnings to stay indoors–take this time to check out some of Florida’s indoor attractions. The Sunshine State is best known for its theme parks, beaches, and other outdoor activities, but there are plenty of fun indoor options as well! Learn about Florida history or art at a museum or view sea creatures at an aquarium. Explore the area and check out the local food scene. Florida has a vibrant mix of cultures and flavors, and our state offers a variety of tasty cuisines, from fresh seafood to Southern comfort food such as fried chicken and shrimp and grits.
Visiting Florida during hurricane season may take some extra planning, but it can also be a great time to travel to the Sunshine State due to fewer crowds and lower prices. Remember to plan ahead, remain flexible, and always put safety over sightseeing.
Do you have any questions about visiting Florida during hurricane season? Let us know in the comments!
Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
