Hurricane Safety in Jacksonville, Florida: What to Do, When to Do It, and How to Be Ready Year-Round

Hurricane Safety in Jacksonville, Florida: What to Do, When to Do It, and How to Be Ready Year-Round

*We added a list of links at the bottom for you to reference and save. 

“Most flood deaths happen in vehicles.” That single stat should change how you plan. Just 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away a small car, and 18–24 inches can sweep away larger SUVs and trucks. Turn around, don’t drown.

Jacksonville’s hurricane risk is a little different. The St. Johns River flows north into the Atlantic, so a storm can literally push ocean water up-river while dumping heavy rain across the city. Add high tide and you get fast-rising, widespread flooding; sometimes far from the beaches.

Below is your no-nonsense, Jacksonville-specific guide: clear steps, practical checklists, and credible resources you can trust.

Start Here: Know Your Risks, Alerts, and Zone

Find your evacuation zone

  • Look up your address on the City’s official zone finder. Screenshot it. Share it with your household.
  • Jacksonville’s zones are based on storm surge, rainfall, and isolation, not just storm category. Evacuation guidance can change by storm, don’t assume last time equals next time.

Get official alerts (free)

  • AlertJax (Everbridge) sends local, time-sensitive push/SMS/email updates (evacuations, road closures, boil-water notices). Enroll now.
  • JaxReady app: your hub for evacuation info, local hazards, and the City’s Preparedness Guide. Download it and enable notifications.

Jacksonville’s special flood setup

  • During coastal storms, ocean surge backs up the St. Johns, slowing drainage and increasing river/creek flooding from downtown to neighborhood canals; especially at high tide.

Build Two Kits: “Stay” Kit and “Go” Bag

Water & food

  • Water: at least 1 gallon per person per day. Florida recommends stocking for 3–7 days; many locals aim for 7 days.
  • Food: non-perishables for several days (manual can opener!).

Power & comms

  • Battery/hand-crank radio that receives NOAA Weather Radio alerts.
  • Flashlights + extra batteries; portable chargers.

Health & docs

  • First-aid kit; two-week supply of meds is ideal. Copies of IDs, insurance, Rx lists, and key contacts in a waterproof pouch.

Pets

  • Proof of vaccination, collar/ID, crate, 3–7 days of pet food and water. Some shelters are pet-friendly, but requirements apply.

Special medical needs

  • If you rely on electricity-dependent equipment (oxygen, CPAP, etc.), register now for the City’s Special Medical Needs program (annual re-registration).

Hurricane Timeline: What to Do and When

Before hurricane season (best practice)

  • Know your zone and evacuation routes; set a family meet-up plan.
  • Buy flood insurance early, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before NFIP coverage starts (with limited exceptions). Don’t wait for a named storm.
  • Harden your home: pre-cut and label plywood or install rated shutters; reinforce garage doors (a common failure point). Do not tape windows; it doesn’t prevent breakage and creates larger, more dangerous shards.

As a storm approaches

  • Top off gas, cash, meds, and phone power banks.
  • Check JaxReady/AlertJax for shelter announcements and sandbag info (locations change by storm, don’t go until the City announces openings).
  • Move cars from low spots; elevate valuables and critical electronics; clear drains and gutters.

If officials issue an evacuation for your zone

  • Leave early, especially if you live in zones A–C, mobile homes, low-lying or flood-prone areas, or near tidal creeks. Use major routes; avoid flooded shortcuts.
  • Going to a shelter? Locations vary each year and open only when announced. General population shelters are run with Red Cross support; pet-friendly locations are limited; service animals are allowed at all shelters.

If you stay home (not in an evacuation zone)

  • Pick a safe interior room (no windows), lowest level. Have your kit, helmets or sturdy footwear, and a charged power bank within reach.
  • Know how to quickly shut off water and electricity if told to do so by authorities.

Life-Saving Rules During the Storm

Flooding & driving

  • Turn Around, Don’t Drown: never walk, wade, or drive through floodwater.
  • 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet.
  • 12 inches can carry away a small car; 18–24 inches most large SUVs/trucks.

Generators & carbon monoxide

  • Use generators outside only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents, with exhaust pointed away from the home. Never in a garage, porch, or carport. Install working CO2 alarms with battery backup.

Power lines & utilities

  • Treat every downed line as energized. Stay away and call 911 or JEA, don’t approach vehicles tangled in lines.

After the Storm: The First 48 Hours

Re-entry & cleanup

  • Continue monitoring AlertJax for re-entry, boil-water, and curfew guidance.
  • CO2 safety still applies, many post-storm deaths happen after the wind stops. Keep generators outside and 20+ feet from openings.

Food & water safety (bookmark this)

  • Keep fridge/freezer closed: food stays safe for ~4 hours in the fridge, ~48 hours in a full freezer (24 hours if half-full). When in doubt, throw it out.

Documenting damage

  • Photograph water lines, roof damage, and contents before cleanup. If you have flood insurance, know that changes/renewals can also take time; coordinate with your agent ASAP.

Jacksonville-Specific Flood Tips

  • Watch river gauges and NWS Jacksonville coastal flood updates; river flooding can peak after the storm as surge and runoff work through the basin.
  • Remember how our system behaves: storm surge can back up the St. Johns, stacking with heavy rain and high tide to flood neighborhoods well inland. Plan parking and belongings accordingly.

Pet & Special-Needs Planning (Local)

  • Pet-friendly shelters: limited; bring vaccination records, leash, crate, and your own supplies. Some animals may be housed separate from owners; reptiles aren’t accepted (service animals are always permitted).
  • Special Medical Needs: pre-register with the City if you depend on electricity or medical equipment; shelter lists and transportation support are for registered clients.

Myth Busting (So You Don’t Waste Time)

  • Taping windows helps? Nope. It makes bigger, sharper shards. Use rated shutters or properly sized plywood instead.
  • Driving through “just a little” water is fine? Also no. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles; water depth and road damage are impossible to judge.

Quick-Glance Checklists

Go-Bag (one per person)

  • ID, cash, cards; meds (2 weeks); phone + charger; flashlight + batteries; snacks & water; copies of documents; change of clothes; basic first-aid; local maps; pet kit if applicable.

Home-Stay Kit

  • Water (1 gallon/person/day, 3–7 days), non-perishable food, can opener, radio, batteries, power banks, sanitation supplies, heavy-duty trash bags, work gloves, plastic sheeting/duct tape (for leaks, not windows), basic tools.

High-Trust Resources (Keep These Handy)

Prepared beats being lucky, every time. If you know your zone, enroll in alerts, buy insurance early, and respect water and generators, you’re already miles ahead. Save this guide, share it with your people, and set a 30-minute calendar block this week to prep your kits. Your future self will thank you.

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