Hurricane Prep for Pensacola
What to actually do — locals' checklist, not the TV weather panic version.
Pensacola sits in a real hurricane zone. Ivan (2004), Sally (2020), and Michael (2018, glancing) are still fresh memories. Most storms miss, but the preparation is the same every year. Here's what locals do — and what visitors staying through the peak months should know.
The season
Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. The peak for the Gulf Coast is mid-August through mid-October.
The National Hurricane Center issues 5-day forecasts. If a system is 5+ days out, don't cancel your trip — check nhc.noaa.gov each morning.
Know your zone
Escambia County publishes evacuation zones A through E. Zone A (beach, low-lying bayside) evacuates first; most of central Pensacola is not in a mandatory zone at all.
Look up your address at BeReadyEscambia.com before hurricane season, not during it.
The basic supply list
Water: one gallon per person per day, three days minimum.
Non-perishable food, a manual can opener, and a cooler for what's in the fridge if power drops.
Flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, and a battery pack. Candles are a fire risk — skip them.
Prescription meds refilled, cash on hand (ATMs go down), and a full tank of gas 48 hours before landfall.
House and property
Bring in anything wind can throw: patio furniture, planters, grills, umbrellas, kids' toys.
Trim tree limbs that overhang the house before the season, not during a warning.
Photograph rooms and possessions on your phone for insurance — takes 5 minutes and matters if roof or water damage happens.
If you're a visitor
Rental companies and most hotels will refund or rebook if a hurricane warning is issued for the Pensacola area — ask about the policy at booking.
Don't try to ride out a Cat 2+ on the beach. Casino Beach and Perdido Key are barrier islands and get evacuated early.
Follow the Escambia County Sheriff's Office and City of Pensacola on social — they're the fastest official updates during a storm.