Get A Plan! 

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is a valuable resource to help you, your family and your business prepare for hurricane season.

Visit floridadisaster.org/planprepare to learn more or click on the plan below that best suits your needs. 

• Family Plan
• Business Plan
• Special Needs Plan
• Pet Plan

Be Prepared: Build a Disaster Supply Kit

To avoid the long lines ahead of a potential, short-notice storm, it is wise to start building a disaster supply kit.  Below are some items to make sure to purchase for your kit.  

Note: Some of these things can be purchased tax-free during the Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday.

• Water (at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days)
• Food (at least enough for 3 to 7 days)
• Blankets and pillows, etc.
• Clothing
• First aid kit, including medicines and prescriptions
• Toiletries and hygiene items
• Flashlight and batteries
• Radio
• Cash (Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods)
• Important documents (store in a waterproof container), such as insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. 
• Vehicle fuel tanks, filled
• Pet care items

Save On Hurricane Supplies During the Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday

Purchase hurricane supplies and pay no taxes during the 2023 Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday.

The first sales tax holiday on disaster supplies begins Saturday, May 27, and runs through Friday, June 9. The second tax-exemption period will begin on Saturday, August 26, and run through Friday, September 8. Mark your calendars so you can save while stocking up on essential hurricane supplies. 

Tax-exempt items include: 

• Portable self-powered light source selling for $40 or less;

• Certain portable self-powered, two-way or weather-band radios selling for $50 or less;

• Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for $100 or less;

• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $100 or less;

• Gas or diesel fuels tanks selling for $50 or less;

• Packages of certain battery types, including AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt or 9-volt, selling for $50 or less;

• Non-electric food storage cooler selling for $60 or less;

• Portable generators to provide light, communications or preserve food selling for $1,000 or less; 

• Reusable ice selling for $20 or less;

• Portable power banks selling for $60 or less;

• Smoke detectors or smoke alarms selling at $70 or less;

• Fire extinguishers selling at $70 or less;

• Carbon monoxide detectors selling at $70 or less;

• Dry dog or cat food 50 lbs or less selling at $100 or less per bag;

• Cans or pouches of pet food selling at $10 or less or equivalent if sold in a box or case;

• Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less;

• Portable kennels or pet carriers selling at $100 or less;

• Manual can openers selling at $15 or less;

• Leashes, collars and muzzles selling at $20 or less;

• Collapsible or travel-sized food/water bowls selling at $15 or less;

• Cat litter 25 lbs or less selling at $25 or less;

• Cat litter pans selling at $15 or less;

• Pet waste disposable bags selling at $15 or less;

• Pet pads selling at $20 or less;

• Hamster or rabbit substrate selling at $15 or less; and

• Pet beds selling at $40 or less. 

The Florida Legislature expanded the eligibility list to include common household consumable items with a sales price of $30 or less. This includes:

• Powder, liquid and pod laundry detergents; 

• Fabric softener or dryer sheets; 

• Stain removers and bleach;

• Toilet paper;

• Paper towels; 

• Paper napkins and tissues;

• Facial tissues; 

• Hand soap, bar soap and body wash; 

• Sunscreen and sunblock; 

• Dish soap and powder, liquid or pod dish detergents or rinse agents for dishwashers;

• Cleaning or disinfecting wipes and sprays;

• Hand sanitizer; and

• Trash bags.

Update Information on Special Needs Registry

The Florida Department of Health, in coordination with its county health departments and each local emergency management agency in the state, developed a registry for persons with special needs to register with their local emergency management agency to receive assistance during a disaster.  The statewide registry provides first responders with valuable information to prepare for disasters or other emergencies.  Click Here to Register for Special Needs Registry.

For questions concerning registration, sheltering, transportation and evacuation, please contact your local emergency management agency at: https://floridadisaster.org/counties/.

Sign Up for Local Alerts

As you know, during hurricane season, information can change at a moment’s notice. It's important to sign up to receive emergency alerts from your city or county.

• Collier County
• Lee County
• Hendry County

Know Who to Call for Help

Below is a list of important contact information for hurricane-related assistance.  You may consider printing this list and keeping it somewhere safe just in case. For additional emergency contacts, click here. 

State of Florida Emergency Info 24-hour hotline: 800-342-3557

Safe & Wellness Helpline (to see if people are in a shelter or are OK): 800-733-2767

FEMA Disaster Assistance/Registration: 800-621-3362 or TTY: 800-427-5593

U.S. Small Business Administration: 800-659-2955 or TTY: 800-877-8339

FEMA Fraud Hotline: 800-323-8603

Disaster Unemployment Services: 877-872-5627

Unemployment Compensation Claims: 800-204-2418

Florida Dept. of Financial Services Hurricane Helpline: 800-277-8676

Red Cross Food, Shelter and Financial Assistance: 866-438-4636

Salvation Army Hurricane Relief Information: 888-363-2769

DCF Information: 866-762-2237

Elder Helpline: 800-963-5337

Attorney General’s Price Gouging Hotline: 866-966-7226

To verify contractor licenses: 850-487-1395

To report unlicensed activity - Agricultural and Consumer Services: 866-532-1440