Hurricane season is full of uncertainty, but one thing is always true. Misinformation can be dangerous. Every year, people make critical decisions based on myths that leave them unprepared when a storm actually hits.
To help prepare you for the 2025 Hurricane Season, the Climate Adaptation Center wants to break down some of the most common misconceptions and why believing them could put you at serious risk.
Myth #1. If I Don’t Live on the Coast, I’m Safe
It is easy to think hurricanes are only a problem for beachfront properties, but storms do not stop at the shoreline. Some of the worst impacts sometimes happen well inland, where wind, flooding, and tornadoes can cause just as much damage.
Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was a perfect example. It made landfall in Texas as a major hurricane, but its slow movement dumped so much rain that areas hundreds of miles away were devastated by flooding.
Cheri Pachota, co-owner of Snook Haven, provided this photo showing flooding at Snook Haven on the Myakka River after Hurricane lan. (Cheri Pachota, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
The same happened in 2022 with Hurricane Ian, where floodwaters reached across Florida, even in places that never expected serious impacts. The storm brought so much heavy rainfall to Sarasota County, it led to the Myakka River reaching a record flood stage of 12.55 feet on September 30. This unprecedented rise caused extensive flooding and was so severe that a 12-mile portion of Interstate 75 near Port Charlotte was closed due to the river inundating parts of the highway.
Even if you live away from the coast, you still need a hurricane plan.
Myth #2. The Storm Track Won’t Change This Late
A hurricane’s path can shift at any time, even in the final hours before landfall. Many people in Southwest Florida learned that the hard way during Hurricane Ian. For days, the forecast pointed to Tampa. But just before landfall, the track suddenly moved south, putting Fort Myers directly in the storm’s path.
Relying on an early forecast and assuming you are safe can be a huge mistake. Always stay prepared, even if you are outside the projected cone. A small shift can mean a major difference in who takes the worst hit.
Myth #3. I Will Just Evacuate if It Gets Bad
A last minute evacuation is not always an option. If too many people wait, roads clog, gas stations run dry, and the window to leave safely closes fast. In some storms, flooding and debris can make it impossible to escape at all.
Storm surge from Hurricane Helene re-opened the pass between Siesta Key and Casey Key. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune)
If you live in an evacuation zone, do not wait until a hurricane is knocking on the door. Have a plan in place well before a storm forms. Know your route, have a full tank of gas, and be ready to leave early if an evacuation order is issued.
Myth #4. My House Made It Through the Last Big Storm, So I Will Be Fine
No two hurricanes are exactly the same. A house that survived one storm could be in serious danger from another, even if it is the same category. Storm surge, wind speeds, and rainfall amounts can vary dramatically from one system to the next.
Building codes have also changed over the years. Older homes may not meet modern standards, making them more vulnerable to high winds and rising water. Regular maintenance and upgrades, like storm shutters and reinforced roofing, can make all the difference when the next hurricane comes through.
Myth #5. I Do Not Need Flood Insurance
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. That coverage must be purchased separately, and waiting until a storm is on the way is too late. Most flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.
We learned last season when Hurricane Debbie moved through, it caused massive inland flooding in areas that had never experienced a flood before. This event made it clear that flood zones based on 100-year flood maps, which rely on past data from the last century, are no longer providing adequate protection. Just because your home is not in a designated flood zone computed using 100-year flood maps does not mean it will not flood in today’s climate.
Many people do not realize their lack of coverage until they are standing in knee deep water inside their own homes. Do not assume you are protected. If you live in a flood prone area, now is the time to check your policy and make sure you have the right coverage in place.
Myth #6. Climate Warming Is Not Making Hurricanes Worse
Hurricane Helene in 2024 proved otherwise.
Helene rapidly intensified due to unusually warm ocean waters, which were nearly four degrees above normal in the Gulf. Climate scientists at the CAC found that climate warming increased Helene’s rainfall by ten percent and wind speeds by eleven percent. A small percentage that makes a big difference in a major storm.
Many still believe hurricanes are no worse than they were decades ago, but storms like Helene show that warming ocean temperatures are fueling stronger, wetter, and more damaging hurricanes.
Storms today are much more destructive due to their larger average size, slower movement, rising sea levels—which have increased by 11 inches since 1950—and a growing population in high-risk areas.
Communities need to adapt now by reinforcing infrastructure, improving drainage systems, and strengthening homes.
Myth #7. There Will Always Be Enough Gas and Supplies Before a Storm
Hurricane Milton in 2024 showed just how quickly essentials run out.
Ahead of landfall, gasoline shortages became a major issue. Gas stations across the west coast of Florida ran out of fuel, leaving many unable to evacuate. After the storm, more than two million people lost power, and supply chains struggled to meet demand.
Drivers rushing to leave Florida as Hurricane Milton draws near have found that many gas stations have run out of fuel. (Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times)
Many assume they can wait until the last minute to fill up on gas, buy supplies, or withdraw cash, but Milton proved that delays can be dangerous.
Prepare early. Keep your gas tank at least half full during hurricane season, stockpile essential supplies before a storm forms, and plan multiple evacuation routes in case of road closures or shortages.
Myth #8. Category 1 or 2 Storms Are Nothing to Worry About
Hurricanes are often judged by their category, but wind speed is only part of the story. Some of the most destructive storms in history have been lower category hurricanes.
Hurricane Florence in 2018 was a category one storm at landfall, but it caused catastrophic flooding in the Carolinas. Storm surge, flooding, and tornadoes can make even weaker storms deadly.
In June 2024, southwest Florida experienced record-breaking rainfall from a storm that never even reached tropical storm status. Fueled by a moisture-rich tropical air mass, the system triggered widespread flooding. This rare weather event, expected only once every 500 to 1,000 years, caused major disruptions across the region. Sarasota County saw some of the heaviest rainfall, with a National Weather Service station recording 6.5 inches on June 11, surpassing a record set in 1940. Some areas received up to 10 inches in a single day.
Never assume a lower-category storm is safe. Take every hurricane and even tropical storm seriously.
Myth #9. The Forecast Cone Shows Exactly Where the Storm Will Go
Many people assume the forecast cone shows where a storm will hit, but it actually represents only the probable center of the storm’s path. The effects of a hurricane can extend hundreds of miles outside the cone, with rain, wind, and tornadoes impacting areas far from the projected track.
A forecast cone for Tropical Storm Helene in 2024.
Even if you are outside the cone, stay alert and be prepared.
Myth #10. If I Stay in a Sturdy Building, I Will Be Fine
Having a solid house or shelter does not automatically mean you are safe. Many of the biggest dangers during a hurricane come after the storm passes.
Extended power outages, flooding, and heat waves following landfall have caused just as many deaths as the storm itself. Downed power lines, contaminated water, and blocked roads make it difficult for emergency responders to reach people in need.
Being in a well built structure is important, but having enough food, water, medications, and supplies to last for at least a week is just as critical.
Stay Informed and Be Ready
Hurricanes do not follow rules, and believing these myths can put you and your family in danger.
That is why events like Hurricane Season Forecast Day are so important. The first official hurricane forecast of the year will be released on April 1, giving Floridians a six week head start on preparing before NOAA releases its outlook.
The event will cover what to expect this season, what we learned from last year, and what homeowners should do now to get ready. Experts will also be available to answer questions about storm risks and insurance impacts.
Hurricane Season Forecast Day
Tuesday, April 1 | 8:30 AM to 12 PM
Selby Auditorium, USF Sarasota Manatee
Tickets and event details: https://bit.ly/4gyjGp9
The best way to stay safe this hurricane season is to be informed and prepared. Do not let common myths leave you unprotected when the next storm heads your way.