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WUSF is part of the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network, which provides up-to-the minute weather and news reports during severe weather events on radio, online and on social media for 13 Florida Public Media stations. It’s available on WUSF 89.7 FM, online at WUSF.org and through the free Florida Storms app, which provides geotargeted live forecasts, information about evacuation routes and shelters, and live local radio streams.

Florida hurricanes: In Florida, where — and how — you live matters

In Florida, hurricane vulnerability is shaped not just by the storm, but by the way people live — in high-rises, along waterways, and across coastal communities where power loss, heat, and marine damage can complicate recovery.

Hurricane vulnerability in Florida isn't just about landfall—it's built into the landscape. From high-rises facing extreme heat during power outages to marinas filled with displaced vessels, how and where you live in the Sunshine State fundamentally changes your hurricane experience. In this video, we explore the unique challenges of "vertical communities" and the growing issue of derelict boats after a storm. In our ongoing hurricane #FastFact series, meteorologist Leslie Hudson breaks down these critical risks and explains why Florida’s recovery is about much more than just fixing roofs.

Lessons learned from Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Helene show why the most complicated problems often begin once the skies clear.
High-rise residents can face longer power outages, hotter indoor conditions, and more difficult recovery logistics after a storm. Along the water, damaged or displaced boats can quickly become navigation hazards, environmental hazards, and expensive obstacles to cleanup in the days and weeks that follow.

In our final hurricane #FastFact series we address life after the storm. In Florida, recovery can be one of the most dangerous parts of hurricane season. Power outages, floodwater, debris, cleanup injuries, and back-to-back storms can keep risk elevated long after landfall. Follow our YouTube channel @FloridaStorms for more.

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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