NOAA and the National Weather Service just ended Hurricane Preparedness Week.
From May 3-9, forecasters tackled a variety of topics to help Florida residents and visitors prepare for hurricanes, and answer questions on what to do during and after a storm.
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Many still have questions, though, with the first day of the 2026 hurricane season approaching fast.
The National Hurricane Center will start issuing daily tropical outlooks May 15, unless something with the potential develops sooner.
➤ First tropical wave of 2026 hurricane season forms. What does it mean?
Here are answers to some basic questions surrounding hurricanes, the season and Florida risks.
When does hurricane season start?
The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1.
➤ Hurricane Center testing new cone: What’s changing this season?
When does hurricane season end?
The Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30.
Countdown clock to start of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
When is Florida hurricane season?
Florida is included in the “Atlantic hurricane season,” which covers the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America.
➤ Track all active storms
What is a ‘tropical outlook’?
Although the Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, the National Hurricane Center will start issuing daily “tropical outlooks” on May 15. Outlooks will come out four times a day, at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., 8 p.m. and 2 a.m.
➤ Hurricane Center testing new cone: What’s changing the season
The outlooks provide a graphical look at any disturbances in the tropical Atlantic which have a potential for development, with orange for a medium chance and red for a high chance.
New this year will be a gray x on the map for disturbances with a low chance for development.
When did Hurricane Andrew hit Florida?
Hurricane Andrew was the first named storm of 1992. It made landfall in southern Miami-Dade County on Aug. 24, 1992.
“Andrew was a Category 5 at landfall, with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph,” according to the National Weather Service.
Fifteen direct deaths and 28 indirect deaths were attributed to Andrew in South Florida, with all but three occurring in Dade County, as it was known at the time.
Up to one-quarter million people were left temporarily homeless, the National Hurricane Center reported.
How many Category 5 hurricanes have hit Florida?
Since 1900, three Category 5 hurricanes have made landfall in Florida:
What are predictions for 2026 hurricane season?
Here are some of the predictions released so far for this year’s hurricane season. NOAA will release its forecast toward the end of May.
A major hurricane is a storm that is a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
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What state has been hit by the most hurricanes?
Records dating back to 1851 show Florida — by far — has been hit by more hurricanes than any other state, according to worldpopulationreview.com.
➤ Before hurricane season, what to check on Florida insurance policies
Could Florida be hit by a hurricane in 2026? See which counties have highest chance
When was the last time Florida was hit by a hurricane?
The last hurricane to hit Florida was Hurricane Milton in October 2024, which was “one of the strongest hurricanes of record in the Atlantic basin,” according to the National Hurricane Center.
Should you evacuate if there’s a hurricane? Know you zone
The Florida Division of Emergency Management has a website to determine whether you live in an evacuation zone and what zone it is.
Go to the website and enter your address.
You’ll get an immediate answer if your address is in an evacuation zone. If so, you’ll also get the letter designation of your zone.
In the case of a storm, you’ll also see any evacuation orders issued.
What to put in hurricane kit
Officials regularly encourage Florida residents to prepare for storms before a hurricane is approaching, while shelves are fully stocked.
➤ Don’t have a hurricane supply kit? From the basics to the extras, here’s what you need
Here are some of the basics you should have, many of which you can build slowly, taking advantage of sales, before the arrival of the peak of hurricane season:
What are names for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
Names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, and how to pronounce them, are:
Is there a tax holiday in Florida for hurricane supplies?
No. On Aug. 1, 2025, the sales tax on specific hurricane supplies was permanently removed.
Among the items now permanently exempt from sales taxes are:
Bottled water, first aid kits, and many food items purchased at the grocery store were tax-free prior to the passage of the permanent exemptions added in 2025.
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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://naplesnews.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: 2026 hurricane season coming fast. Answers to common questions
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
