If you just got orders to Florida from somewhere inland like Fort Cavazos or Fort Riley, hurricanes might feel like something that only happens on the news. For Floridians, they are a part of life. The routine is well practiced, the warnings come early, and a prepared family is rarely a panicked one. This guide walks you through what hurricane season looks like in Florida, what the military does to keep you safe, and the steps that make the difference when a storm starts to spin up. If you are still figuring out which base you are headed to, our overview of Florida military bases is a good place to start.
When Hurricane Season Actually Runs
The official Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Peak activity is mid-August through October, when ocean water is warmest. That does not mean the first storm shows up on June 1 — it is just the window when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is fully staffed and watching. Track active storms at the NHC.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Most Florida bases run a full hurricane exercise in May. Arrive in spring and expect drills.
- A hurricane has sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. Categories run 1 (74 to 95 mph) to 5 (157+ mph).
- You usually get three to five days of warning before landfall — plenty of time if you have a plan.
How Florida Bases Talk About Storms: HURCON Levels
PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to a Florida base and you will hear the term HURCON within your first week. HURCON stands for Hurricane Condition — how installations communicate how close destructive winds are. Per the Air Force Safety Center, the scale runs from 5 down to 1, getting more serious as the number drops.
Each base publishes HURCON updates through its public affairs office, app, and alert system. Sign your family up the first week you arrive. The unit will tell the service member when to muster. For spouses holding the fort, the base's family readiness program is your best source of truth.
Windstorm Insurance: Not Always Included
Here is the part that surprises a lot of new Florida homeowners. A standard homeowners policy usually covers wind damage from a thunderstorm, but hurricane wind damage is treated separately. Most policies carry a hurricane deductible that only activates when the NHC names a storm.
Per the Florida Department of Financial Services, insurers in Florida must offer hurricane deductible options of $500, 2 percent, 5 percent, or 10 percent of the insured dwelling value. On a $350,000 home with a 2 percent deductible, you would pay the first $7,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
A few things worth knowing:
- The hurricane deductible is calendar-year based with the same insurer. If you meet it on the first storm, your regular deductible applies to a second storm that year.
- In some coastal counties, standard policies exclude wind damage entirely. You may need a separate windstorm endorsement or a policy through Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's insurer of last resort.
- Lenders generally require windstorm coverage as a condition of the mortgage.
If you are buying your first Florida home, our Florida first home guide for veterans walks through insurance and inspections.
Flood Insurance Is a Separate Policy. Always.
This is the single most expensive mistake new Florida residents make. Flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance. Not by the standard policy, not by the hurricane endorsement — only by a dedicated flood policy. Most flood policies in the U.S. are written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), run by FEMA.
Two more things to know:
- Properties in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area are required to carry flood insurance with a federally backed mortgage. Properties outside that zone are not required to — but plenty of them still flood. Hurricane Ian in 2022 caused massive flooding in inland counties.
- NFIP coverage caps at $250,000 for the building and $100,000 for contents. If your home is worth more, consider a private flood policy on top.
Evacuation Orders, TLE, and What the Military Pays For
Florida counties decide evacuation orders, not the military. Counties use evacuation zones labeled A through F (or A through E in some counties), based on storm-surge risk. Zone A goes first. Look up your zone at FloridaDisaster.org/knowyourzone the week you move in, not the week a storm is forming.
When a storm threatens a Florida base, the installation commander may issue an authorized or ordered evacuation. This is what opens up military reimbursement. A few terms to know:
