Florida's hurricane kit: 7 days, not 3
Florida asks for more than the national minimum. The Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) says your disaster supply kit should cover every member of the household for at least 7 days, with 1 gallon of water per person per day. Look up your evacuation zone before a storm, and buy supplies early: since 1 July 2025 many of them are permanently free of Florida sales tax.
What this means for your household
Set your household size to see the days, water and food the Florida advice adds up to.
A kit for every member of the household for at least 7 days.
Drinking water for 2 people. Official figure: 1 gallon (about 3.8 L) per person per day for 7 days.
Person-days of food to cover (2 × 7). Pick food that needs no fridge and little or no cooking.
What FDEM's disaster supply kit includes
Build it before hurricane season starts on 1 June, when shelves are full and you aren't in a hurry.
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day for 7 days
- 7 days of non-perishable food, and a manual can opener
- Extra prescription medicines and a first aid kit
- A NOAA weather radio and a flashlight, with spare batteries
- Important documents in a waterproof container: IDs, insurance and medical records
- Cash, since card machines and ATMs may be down after a storm
- Phone chargers and a backup battery
- Food, water and records for pets
How Florida warns you
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) reach phones in the area at risk with hurricane, tornado and evacuation warnings. You don't need to sign up.
- NOAA Weather Radio carries National Weather Service watches and warnings, and works when cell service is down.
- Your county emergency management office issues evacuation orders by zone. Follow it on local TV, radio and its alert system.
- A hurricane watch means conditions are possible within about 48 hours. A warning means they are expected within about 36 hours, so finish preparing.
Florida-specific steps
- Know your zone: look up your evacuation zone at FloridaDisaster.org/Know. Zones run from A to F, and Zone A is usually evacuated first.
- Evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds: often a friend's home outside the zone or a local shelter is enough.
- Since 1 July 2025 many disaster supplies, including batteries, portable generators and fire extinguishers, are permanently exempt from Florida sales tax. See FloridaDisaster.org/TaxFree for the list.
- If you use power-dependent medical equipment, plan for a long outage and ask your county about special needs shelters.
- Never run a generator indoors or in a garage: carbon monoxide poisoning is a common cause of death after hurricanes.
Go beyond the minimum: what we recommend
Official lists cover the basics. These are the gaps we see most often when an emergency lasts longer than expected.
- Rotate a long supply: eat the oldest first and replace it, so a week or more of food and water stays in date.
- Keep paper and digital copies of IDs, insurance and prescriptions, so you can prove who you are and get medicines.
- Write the expiry date on everything and check the kit every 6 months, so it doesn't quietly go out of date.
- Plan for phone power: a charged power bank, plus a solar panel or car charger for longer outages.
- Save offline maps of your area and agree a meeting point, in case the mobile network is down.
- An offline survival guide on your phone: HAVEN tracks your kit and expiry dates and works with no signal.Download HAVEN free
Numbers to write down
- 911 · Emergency services
- FloridaDisaster.org/Know · Find your evacuation zone
- 1-800-621-3362 · FEMA disaster assistance
Keep a paper copy: your phone may be flat when you need it.
Your kit, ready when the network isn't
HAVEN tracks your 7-day kit in gallons and days for your household, reminds you to restock before hurricane season, and keeps offline guides on your phone when the power and network are out after a storm.
- Coverage in days for your household
- Expiry reminders
- Offline guides and AI
- Free to start, no account needed
How Florida compares
Florida: 1 week. The national advice from FEMA is at least 3 days. Read the United States guide or compare every country.
Florida preparedness FAQ
How many days of supplies should I have for a hurricane in Florida?
At least 7 days. FDEM asks for a kit that covers every member of the household for 7 days, which is more than FEMA's national 3-day minimum.
How much water do I need for a hurricane?
1 gallon per person per day for 7 days. A family of four needs 28 gallons.
How do I find my evacuation zone in Florida?
Go to FloridaDisaster.org/Know and enter your address. Zones run from A to F, and Zone A is usually ordered to leave first.
Is there still a hurricane sales tax holiday in Florida?
The short holiday has been replaced. Since 1 July 2025 many disaster preparedness supplies are permanently exempt from Florida sales tax. Check FloridaDisaster.org/TaxFree for the eligible items.
When should I build my hurricane kit?
Before hurricane season starts on 1 June. Once a storm is forecast, stores sell out of water, batteries and fuel quickly.
Official sources
- Disaster Supply Kit Checklist (FDEM, PDF)
- Hurricane brochure (FDEM, PDF)
- Florida Preparedness Month 2026 (FDEM)
- Know Your Zone (FDEM)
- Tax-free disaster supplies (FDEM)
This page summarises official advice and is not a substitute for it. Always follow the instructions of your local emergency services. Last checked 2 November 2026.