If you live in Florida, you’ve likely been through at least one hurricane – if not several. But while many can swap stories over preferred storm supplies and window-shuttering routines, hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners reveal just how deeply these storms impact lives.
In this blog, we share real hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners, including the unexpected dangers they faced, the moments they’ll never forget, and the steps they’ll never skip again. Whether you’re new to hurricane season or a seasoned storm prepper, there’s something to take away from each account.
‘It’s Real, Get Down’: Tamie’s Tornado Scare
South Florida native Tamie and her family have weathered many storms, but Hurricane Milton (October 2024) brought something unexpected: an EF3 tornado. You may have seen video of it on the news: it was unlike anything many longtime weather reporters have seen in the state.
“I was tracking it online,” Tamie recalls. “I thought I had hours before the hurricane got to us.” But by late afternoon, tornado warnings were already pinging phones. At 4:54 p.m., a live tornado tracker showed a funnel cloud heading straight toward their neighborhood. Two minutes later, the power went out and by 4:57, the family took cover.
“When they say it sounds like a train, they aren’t kidding.”
Tamie hustled her children and pets into a walk-in closet in the center of the house. Her husband took one last look outside, only to come sprinting back: “Get down! It’s real!” Debris slammed the house. The kids screamed. The house shook. And then – sudden silence.
The aftermath was sobering: damage to their roof, fence, drywall, and cars. Their mailbox was destroyed. A fence post had pierced the side of their home. “We’ve lived here our whole lives and never seen anything like it,” she adds. “Tornadoes weren’t even on our radar. That day changed everything.”
Tamie’s story is just one of many hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners reminding us why it’s so important to prepare ahead of time. Tamie’s takeaways?
- Track hurricanes early and often – even if you’re not expected to be in the storm’s path.
- Don’t wait to complete your hurricane prep, like charging electronic devices.
- Have your go-bag and documents ready long before the power goes out.
“What saved me was already having our important documents in a folder,” Tamie says. “If you have to run, your mind is blank. You can’t think. Just grab and go.”
How Yaté Plans, Packs, and Protects Her Family
For Yaté of St. Petersburg, hurricanes aren’t just about protecting property – they’re about keeping her mother safe. When Hurricane Milton approached, Yaté didn’t hesitate. She grabbed her always-packed suitcase, loaded up her car, and headed to the sturdy brick home where she grew up – because it’s on higher ground and outside the flood zone.
Before leaving, she brought in her trash bins and sheltered a friend’s car in her garage. She also packed extra water, medications, and a camp stove – just in case.
But what made the biggest difference this time? A shoebox-sized battery-powered generator she picked up from a local sporting goods store. With the power out for nearly a week, it allowed her mom to use her nebulizer twice a day and kept their cell phones charged. “I could easily take it to a friend’s house with power to recharge it, then bring it back. It was a lifesaver.”
Despite extensive roof damage at her own home, Yaté was grateful neither her place nor her mom’s flooded. “The surge came in through finger-like channels, but we were spared.”
Her advice? “Don’t wait. Keep a go-bag ready. Have a plan – especially if someone in your family depends on medical devices.” Hers is just one of many hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners illustrating the power of preparation and a clear head.
Larry & Linda’s Double Storm & Digital Blackout
Larry and Linda [BS1] of Stuart have lived through more hurricanes than they can count. But nothing prepared them for what Hurricane Milton brought in October 2024: a tornado tore through their neighborhood hours before the storm came through.
“I was standing by the back sliding glass door when I heard this deep engine noise,” Linda says. “I thought, that sounds like a freight train – and then it hit me. That’s what they always say tornadoes sound like.” Just as the thought clicked, her husband came rushing in from the front of the home, confirming what she already knew: the tornado was here.
It passed overhead in seconds. “We had our shutters up and were fully prepped for a hurricane,” she says. “But a tornado? It’s a whole different kind of animal.”
The tornado and later, the hurricane, caused major damage to their roof. For 5 days, they were without power. Fortunately, Larry and Linda had prepared. Their gas-powered generator was ready to go, and they’d had an electrician install a panel hookup in advance. “It’s a no-brainer,” Linda says. “We could run lights, the microwave, fridge – everything but the AC.”
But the scariest part wasn’t just the tornado. It was losing communication. “There was no cell signal in our neighborhood,” she says. “Texting barely worked. No emails. No internet. It was like we’d fallen off the map.” When it was safe to venture out, they began driving to areas with better reception just to check in with friends and get updates. Eventually, a friend brought them a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and a plug-in smart TV antenna. “That little hotspot was a lifeline,” she says. “It let us reconnect.”
Looking back, Linda says she never used to take tornado alerts seriously. “I always thought, oh, it doesn’t happen here. But when your phone goes off – don’t wait. You have seconds, and I mean seconds, to get to your safe spot.”
Their advice, like many hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners, is simple: prepare like always – shutters, water, fuel – but add a few upgrades. A generator hookup panel. A portable hotspot. And most importantly, a mindset shift: Hurricanes aren’t the only danger. “We’ll never ignore a tornado alert again,” Linda says. “Not after that day.”
‘Me and Tiki, We’re Ready’: Susan’s No-Nonsense Prep
For Susan of Palmetto, storm prep isn’t a once-a-year panic – it’s a way of life. “I’ve lived here 14 years, and even if we don’t get direct hits, I stay ready,” she says. “It’s mostly common sense.”
Susan’s hurricane sidekick is Tiki, her 21-year-old cockatiel and constant companion. “He sits with me at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and he keeps me company on top of my computer while I work,” she says. “He’s smart, he talks, and when we travel, he’s great. But he doesn’t like noise – and these storms are loud.”
It’s why, ahead of Hurricane Milton, Susan packed up Tiki’s cage, grabbed his food, and headed to Pensacola to stay with a friend. “I can’t take chances with him,” she says. “If he’s upset, I’m upset.”
Her home in Palmetto didn’t flood, but strong winds tore shingles off the roof, shredded her lanai screens, and flattened her privacy fence – another example of the damage seen in many hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners. “My neighbor who stayed said the noise was terrifying. I’m glad we left.”
Since the storm, Susan’s made thoughtful upgrades: installing hurricane windows, strengthening her fence, and stocking waterproof tape for sealing doors and windows. “I even keep a landline,” she notes. “I don’t trust just having a cell.”
Her go-to advice? “Top off your tank, keep a bag packed, and don’t wait. If you have a pet, especially a sensitive soul like my Tiki, prep for them, too. I did everything I could – to protect both of us.”
‘If It’s a Cat 2 & Headed Here, We’re Out’: Virgil’s Evacuation Rulebook
Virgil [BS2] in Fort Myers knows exactly when to leave and how to do it. “My wife is disabled and requires oxygen, so we don’t take risks,” he says. He keeps multiple oxygen tanks on hand, a portable concentrator that runs off the car, and a checklist ready year-round.
“If a storm is forecast as a Cat 3 – or even a Cat 2 coming straight for us – we’re gone,” he says. “I leave a day or two early to beat the traffic. Yeah, it might cost an extra hotel night, but the peace of mind is worth it.”
Flooding from Hurricane Ian left his home temporarily unlivable, but Virgil credits his planning for keeping things from being worse. “I’ve got my shutters, my tanks, and my bags ready. I’d tell anyone: don’t wait to evacuate, especially if someone in your household has medical needs.”
Hurricane Season Readiness: What Every Florida Homeowner Should Do Now
Storm prep isn’t just about sandbags and shutters. The most important steps happen before a storm is even named. Here’s what you can do now:
- Review your insurance policy with your agent to ensure it reflects your current home value and risk level.
- Ask about flood insurance. It’s typically not included in your homeowners policy and once you purchase it, there’s still a 30-day waiting period before it goes into effect.
- Photograph your home and valuables to make post-storm claims easier.
- Update your emergency contact list and share your plan with family or neighbors.
When Tornadoes Strike: What Florida Homeowners Need to Know
Some hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners include more than wind and rain – they include sudden, devastating tornadoes. If you think tornadoes aren’t a threat in your part of Florida, think again. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the radar, not just the clock. Tornadoes can form hours before a hurricane makes landfall. Be ready to act fast.
- Identify your safe room. A small, windowless interior room (like a closet or hallway) on the lowest level of your home is best.
- Have your emergency kit ready. Include flashlights, snacks, water, medications, and comfort items for kids and pets. Store it in your safe room so it’s one less thing to grab.
- Don’t wait to charge your essential electronics. Do this early if possible. Power loss can happen suddenly and unexpectedly.
- Real-time tornado trackers can be incredibly accurate (like those shared in local Facebook groups or via weather apps). Use them.
Don’t Wait for the Winds to Pick Up This Hurricane Season
The best time to prepare for a hurricane is long before the storm forms. Whether you're reviewing your coverage, updating your emergency plan, or reading hurricane survival stories from Florida homeowners to better prepare, take action now. For more tips and resources, check out our Hurricane Preparedness Guide – it’s packed with practical advice you can use before, during, and after the storm.
Talk to your Florida Peninsula Insurance Company agent to make sure your home is ready for hurricane season this year. And, if you're not currently insured with us, get a quote online. You’ll be glad you did.
