Hurricane Safety in Orlando 2025: How Prepared Is Central Florida for Storm Season?

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is shaping up to be more active than usual, and while Orlando’s inland location offers some protection, the region is still vulnerable to heavy rain, flooding, high winds, and extended power outages. Recent storms have shown how quickly hurricanes can intensify, leaving little time to prepare.

This guide explains Orlando’s unique hurricane risks, the 2025 storm outlook, and the most important steps residents can take to stay safe before, during, and after a storm. Whether you’re a longtime Orlando homeowner or new to Central Florida, being informed and ready is the best way to protect your family and property this hurricane season.

2025 Hurricane Season Forecast & Orlando’s Risk Profile

How active will the 2025 hurricane season be?

According to NOAA, forecasts a 60% chance of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, predicting 13–19 named storms, including 6–10 hurricanes, with 3–5 major (Category 3+) storms expected. Updated figures show 13–18 named storms, 5–9 hurricanes, and 2–5 major hurricanes.

What does this mean for Orlando?

Although Orlando is about 40 miles inland, which reduces storm surge risk, it remains vulnerable to heavy rainfall, flash flooding, wind damage, and even inland tornadoes. Past storms have shown that Florida’s heartland isn’t immune to storm-related threats.

Rapid Intensification: A Growing Concern

In August 2025, The Guardian reported that Hurricane Erin strengthened from a weaker system to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours before turning away from Florida. Experts warn that this kind of rapid intensification is becoming more common, leaving less time to prepare and making hurricane readiness more important than ever.

City-Level Preparedness in Orlando

Orlando’s Pre-Storm & Post-Storm Guidance

The City of Orlando’s Solid Waste Division continues regular trash and recycling collection until weather conditions make it unsafe. Once a hurricane passes, the city announces makeup collection schedules and storm debris pickup procedures through official channels, including orlando.gov and the city’s verified social media accounts.

Residents are strongly advised not to place yard waste, bulk trash, or loose items at the curb before a storm. Debris can clog storm drains, increase neighborhood flooding, or become hazardous projectiles in high winds. Instead, secure or store items ahead of time and wait until the city issues post-storm disposal instructions.

Official Guidance for Residents

Emergency Planning

Identify your evacuation zone, review multiple routes, and create a family communication plan. Share it with all household members in case you are separated during the storm.

Emergency Kit Essentials

Keep at least a 7-day supply of water, non-perishable food, prescription medications, pet supplies, flashlights with extra batteries, and important documents stored in waterproof containers. A battery-powered weather radio and portable chargers are also strongly recommended.

Homeowner Preparedness: Steps You Can Take Today

Secure Your Property

The City of Orlando’s Hurricane Preparedness page states that homeowners should board up windows or install storm shutters, trim trees, clean gutters, and secure outdoor items such as patio furniture, grills, and garbage bins in advance of a storm.

Stock Emergency Supplies

Guidelines from Orange County Emergency Management recommend keeping a minimum seven-day supply of bottled water, non-perishable food, prescription medications, pet supplies, flashlights, extra batteries, and a first-aid kit. The county further advises that important documents, including insurance policies and IDs, be stored in waterproof containers to prevent loss during flooding.

Review Your Insurance Coverage

According to the Orange County Hurricane Safety Guide, standard homeowners' insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Orange County officials advise residents to review their insurance well before a storm approaches and to consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, noting that new policies may take up to 30 days to become effective.

Create a Family Plan

Both the City of Orlando and Orange County Emergency Management emphasize that every family should create and practice an emergency plan prior to hurricane season. Recommendations include identifying multiple evacuation routes, designating a safe family meeting location, and choosing an out-of-town emergency contact to coordinate with if communication lines go down.

Choosing a Hurricane-Resistant Home in Orlando

Even though Orlando is less exposed to direct hurricane landfalls than coastal Florida, the construction of your home plays a key role in how well it can withstand severe weather. When buying a property in Central Florida, it’s important to understand the differences in building materials and storm-resistant features.

Concrete Block Construction

Homes built with concrete block (often called “CBS construction”) are regarded as the most resilient in hurricanes. Their solid structure offers greater protection against high winds and flying debris compared to lighter construction methods.

Wood Frame Construction

While wood-framed houses are more vulnerable to wind damage, Florida’s updated building codes require storm-mitigation features such as impact-rated windows, hurricane straps, and reinforced roofing systems. These upgrades significantly improve performance during a storm.

New Builds and Inspections

For buyers considering new construction, selecting a builder experienced in hurricane-resistant design can provide long-term security. If purchasing an existing home, arranging a professional inspection can help determine whether the property has essential safety features like reinforced roofs, drainage systems, and window protections.

Building Standards

According to the Florida Building Code, homes built after 2002 must comply with stricter wind-load requirements. In Orlando (Wind Zone 1), current codes require homes to be designed for sustained wind speeds between 130 and 140 mph, depending on risk category (Florida Building Code, Structural Design). Choosing a home that meets these standards provides both peace of mind and long-term value.

Governor’s Call to Action

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has emphasized that all residents, whether on the coast or inland, must prepare for potential impacts during the 2025 hurricane season. In remarks reported by the Associated Press, the governor urged Floridians to maintain at least a seven-day supply of food, water, and medications, to understand their evacuation zones, and to avoid waiting until a storm is imminent.

According to Associated Press, DeSantis also noted that the state’s usual disaster-preparedness sales tax holiday was not extended this year, meaning critical items such as flashlights, batteries, and generators will not be tax-exempt. He stressed, however, that residents should not let that delay their preparations. 

Staying Informed: Tech for Preparedness

With a volatile storm season ahead, reliable tracking is key. Experts recommend using hurricane-tracker apps like My Hurricane Tracker, Clime, and Storm Radar many work offline, so you can receive real-time updates even during power or internet outages.

Post-Storm Recovery in Orlando

Once a storm has passed, safety should remain the top priority. According to the City of Orlando’s Hurricane Preparedness guidance, residents should wait for official clearance before returning home and exercise caution when reentering affected areas.

Return Home Safely 

Residents should watch for downed power lines, standing water, and structural damage before entering their property. Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) advises avoiding contact with floodwater and reporting any downed lines immediately to utility providers.

Document Damage

According to the Orange County Emergency Management, it recommends photographing or filming your property before making any temporary repairs. This documentation will help support insurance claims and ensure losses are accurately recorded.

File Insurance Claims Quickly

Homeowners should notify their insurance company as soon as possible after a storm. Keep policy numbers, contact information, and photo documentation ready to speed up the claims process. Orange County notes that insurance adjusters may take longer to respond after major storms, so filing early is crucial.

Stay Connected with Local Updates

According to the City of Orlando, official recovery information—including storm debris pickup schedules, trash collection updates, and utility restoration notices—will be shared on orlando.gov and the city’s verified social media channels. Residents are encouraged to rely on these official sources rather than unverified online reports.

FAQs About Hurricane Season in Orlando 

When does hurricane season start and end in Orlando?

Hurricane season in Orlando, as well as the rest of the Atlantic basin, officially runs from June 1 through November 30. The most active months are August, September, and October when ocean waters are at their warmest and storms are more likely to intensify. In recent years, there have even been storms forming before and after the official season, which is why experts recommend keeping a hurricane kit prepared as early as May and maintaining it year-round.

Is Orlando at risk from storm surge during hurricanes?

Orlando is not directly exposed to storm surge because it is located about 40 miles inland from the Atlantic Coast. This geographical advantage makes Orlando safer than coastal cities where storm surge poses the greatest danger. However, storm surge on the coast can still push large amounts of water inland, especially when combined with heavy rainfall, which increases the risk of flooding in parts of Orlando. Residents should be more concerned with flash flooding than direct surge impacts.

Can Orlando experience hurricane-force winds?

Yes. While hurricanes tend to weaken as they move inland, Orlando is still vulnerable to strong winds from tropical storms and hurricanes. Depending on the track and intensity of the storm, Orlando can experience winds over 70 miles per hour that are strong enough to uproot trees, damage roofs, and knock out power. During Hurricane Irma (2017), the National Hurricane Center reported wind gusts of 91 mph at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and 79 mph at Orlando International Airport. Hurricane Charley (2004) also produced gusts exceeding 100 mph across Central Florida, with NOAA documenting widespread wind damage in the Orlando area (NHC, Hurricane Charley Report).

What are the biggest hurricane threats to Orlando?

The most common hurricane threats in Orlando are heavy rainfall, flash flooding, power outages, and tornadoes that spin off from tropical systems. Rainfall totals of six to twelve inches are not unusual during a major storm, which can overwhelm storm drains and cause neighborhood flooding. Power outages are common after high winds knock down trees and power lines, and some outages can last for days. Another unique risk to Orlando is sinkholes, which can form when heavy rainfall saturates the region’s porous limestone foundation.

How can I stay informed during hurricane season in Orlando?

The best way to stay safe is to rely on multiple official sources. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends using a NOAA Weather Radio, which provides continuous forecasts and emergency alerts, even if cell service goes down. For mobile access, hurricane-tracking apps like My Hurricane Tracker, Storm Radar, and Clime provide real-time storm alerts and evacuation notices.

Locally, the City of Orlando posts updates on orlando.gov and its verified social media channels, including information about shelter openings, trash collection schedules, and storm recovery resources. Orange County Emergency Management also issues alerts through their official website, where residents can sign up for OCAlert, the county’s emergency notification system.

Hurricane season 2025 is shaping up to be above average in activity. While Orlando enjoys some geographic protection, climate-driven storm behavior is making inland areas more vulnerable to extreme weather. Your best defense? Plan early, secure your home, stock smart, and stay informed. At Align Real Estate, we are committed to your safety. If you are looking to move to Orlando, we can help you find a safe property and advise you on how to prepare for hurricane season. Call 407-565-9359.