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Hurricane season prep week: Day 1 - Know your risk

NOAA

For Florida, hurricane season prep starts with understanding that not all risk looks the same. Hurricane impacts can include storm surge, inland flooding, destructive wind, tornadoes, and more.

Last year was a quiet hurricane season for Florida, with no hurricanes making landfall in the continental U.S. But 2024 told a very different story. Debby… Helene… and Milton all impacted the Sunshine state.

NOAA’s Hurricane Preparedness Week brings those memorable seasons to the forefront, and it starts with knowing your risk—from water and wind. Meteorologist Leslie Hudson has more on Day 1 of hurricane preparedness week.

Anyone living in a flood-prone area knows the risk—but even if you’re not in a flood zone, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. Hurricanes can bring extreme rainfall, flooding areas that don’t typically see it—and that water can reach far inland.

So start here:

Check your flood risk atFloodsmartFloodsmart | The National Flood Insurance Program
Use NOAA’s Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper atNoaaCoastal Flood Exposure Mapper
And find your evacuation zone at Hurricanestrong#HurricaneStrong
Because if you’re in Florida, that evacuation zone is key—it tells you how vulnerable you are to storm surge, and whether you’ll need to leave when orders are issued. And once you understand your risk…the next step is making sure you’re ready for it—before hurricane season ramps up.

Leslie Hudson is an experienced Multimedia Journalist and Digital Meteorologist whose career is marked by significant professional milestones. A trailblazer in the industry, she holds the distinction of being the first female AMS meteorologist in the Orlando market. Her extensive background in public safety and emergency management led to her being appointed by Florida’s Governor to the State of Florida’s Hurricane Catastrophic Fund Council from 2002 to 2007. Notably, she was the sole meteorologist in the state selected for this prestigious council.
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