Homeowner Handbook › Owning a home › Hurricane season prep
Part 1 · Owning a home in South Hillsborough
Hurricane Season Prep for South Hillsborough Homeowners
By Linda Reynolds · Last reviewed November 2026
In this chapter
Know your zone · Before the season · When a storm is coming · After the storm
The short version
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. The calmest way through it is to do most of the work early: know your evacuation zone, sign up for Hillsborough County alerts, and get your home and paperwork ready before anything is in the forecast.
Know your zone
Hillsborough County uses evacuation zones A through E. Zone A is the most vulnerable to storm surge and is evacuated first, along with all manufactured and mobile homes in the county, even those far inland. Your zone is based on surge risk, not on whether your street floods in heavy rain, so look it up even if you live in Sun City Center or Wimauma.
The county updated its zones for the 2026 season using new storm surge data, and more properties are in a zone than before. If you looked yours up in a past year, check it again.
- Find your zone: go to HCFL.gov/HEAT and enter your address.
- Get alerts: sign up for HCFL Alert for evacuation orders, flood warnings, severe weather, and major road closures.
- Plan where you’d go: a friend’s or family member’s home outside your zone is often more comfortable than a shelter. Decide ahead of time, and include your pets in the plan.
- More preparation tips: the county’s Stay Safe page collects shelter and storm-prep information.
Before the season
Your home
- Test shutters or confirm impact windows and hardware are in good shape
- Trim trees and remove dead limbs
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Photograph or video every room for insurance records
Your supplies
- Water and non-perishable food for several days
- Medications, first aid, and pet supplies
- Flashlights, batteries, and phone power banks
- Some cash, in case card systems are down
Your paperwork
- Insurance policies and your agent’s phone number
- Mortgage, deed, and IDs in a waterproof bag
- Digital copies saved somewhere you can reach from any phone
- Your hurricane and flood deductible amounts, written down
Seasonal residents
If you spend summers away, prepare your home before you leave: secure outdoor furniture, set up shutter coverage, and arrange for a neighbor or home-watch service to check on things after a storm. Keep HCFL Alert notifications on so you know what’s happening at home while you’re gone.
When a storm is coming
- Follow official guidance. If your zone is ordered to evacuate, go. Often you only need to travel tens of miles, not hundreds.
- Bring in or tie down outdoor items. Patio furniture, grills, and potted plants become hazards in high wind.
- Put up shutters and close all interior doors.
- Fill your car’s gas tank and charge your phones.
- Move valuables and papers off the floor if you’re in an area that could flood.
After the storm
- Stay safe first. Avoid downed power lines and standing water, and never run a generator indoors or in a garage.
- Document the damage with photos and video before you clean up.
- Prevent further damage where it’s safe, such as covering a roof opening with a tarp, and keep the receipts.
- Call your insurance company to start your claim as soon as you can.
- Be careful with door-to-door contractors. Verify any contractor’s license at MyFloridaLicense.com, and read anything carefully before you sign it.
Storm damage changed your plans?
After a storm, some homeowners decide to repair and stay, and others decide it’s time to move on. Either choice is reasonable. If you’re unsure which is right for you, let’s look at the options together.
Have a question about your situation?
Let’s talk it through. No pressure, just clear answers.
Keep reading
Equal Housing Opportunity. This handbook offers general information. During an emergency, always follow instructions from Hillsborough County Emergency Management and local officials.