Hurricane prep guide for Miami-Dade County

Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Coral Gables Preparing for Hurricanes page and hurricane guide (PDF), Miami-Dade County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Revenue.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, and the City of Coral Gables says it is particularly exposed between June and November. The coastal neighborhoods along Biscayne Bay face storm surge; the whole city faces wind, falling trees and power outages. Miami-Dade County decides evacuations and opens shelters; the city handles alerts, debris and its own services.

Who to call

• Emergencies: 911
• City resident hotline (activated during a storm): 305-460-5401
• Police non-emergency: 305-442-1600
• Recorded emergency information: 305-800-NEWS (6397)
• Evacuation centers, bus pickup, special needs: Miami-Dade 311
• Power outages: FPL, 1-800-4OUTAGE (468-8243), fplmaps.com
• City alerts: text CoralGables to 888-777, or sign up for Everbridge

Know your zone

Miami-Dade orders evacuations by storm surge planning zone, or part of a zone, based on the storm’s track and projected surge, not its category alone. A zone is an area that could see a surge of 1.5 feet or more.

Look up your address on the county’s storm surge zone map. The city’s hurricane guide includes a map of the zones inside Coral Gables. Surge zones are not the same as flood insurance zones; your home can be outside a surge zone and still flood.

Evacuation centers and help leaving

• The county opens evacuation centers storm by storm and announces them on miamidade.gov and through 311. Not every center opens for every storm.
• County buses run from emergency bus pickup sites once an evacuation is ordered.
• If you or someone you care for has limited mobility or complex medical needs, register now for the county’s Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program. Call 311.

Alerts

The city’s Everbridge alerts cover severe weather, water advisories, missing persons and other threats. You can choose calls, texts, email or the Everbridge app; life-threatening alerts always come by text and call. For forecasts, use the National Weather Service in Miami and the National Hurricane Center.

Tax-free storm supplies

Florida made many disaster items permanently exempt from sales tax on Aug. 1, 2025, according to the Department of Revenue’s tax information publication (PDF), so there is no need to wait for a sales tax holiday. The list includes portable generators up to 10,000 running watts, certain battery sizes, waterproof tarps up to 1,000 square feet, ground anchors and tie-down kits, gas or diesel cans of 5 gallons or less, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers. Questions: Florida Department of Revenue, 850-488-6800.

Impact windows help for some owners

The city’s Hurricane Protection Program waives city permit fees and some engineering requirements for impact windows and doors for eligible owners. You must own and live in a single-family home of no more than 3,000 square feet and 25 feet tall, own no investment property, and meet an income limit ($54,600 for one person, $78,000 for four). Approved providers have agreed to a 25% discount.

Before the next storm

From the city’s hurricane guide (PDF):

• Make a family plan and supply kit, and review your evacuation plan.
• Finish putting up shutters before the storm arrives.
• Check whether you live in a flood zone and whether you have flood insurance.

After the storm: debris

The city’s guide asks residents to:

• Keep tree debris separate from household trash, and keep construction debris out of vegetation piles.
• Cut tree trimmings to 4 to 6 feet long.
• Keep piles off the road, away from fire hydrants, signs and storm drains, and not under wires, streetlights or tree limbs.

Questions about storm trash pickup: the city’s Solid Waste Division (see trash and recycling).

What this means for you

• Look up your surge zone today; coastal Coral Gables is the most exposed.
• Text CoralGables to 888-777 so city alerts reach your phone.
• Save 305-460-5401, the city’s storm hotline, and FPL’s outage number.
• Buy a generator or tarps any time; they are tax-free all year.

More: power outages and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

Is Coral Gables in a hurricane evacuation zone?

Parts of it are, mainly the coastal neighborhoods along Biscayne Bay. Miami-Dade County orders evacuations by storm surge planning zone, A through E; check your address on the county’s zone map.

How do I get Coral Gables emergency alerts?

Text CoralGables to 888-777, or sign up for the city’s Everbridge alerts by phone, text, email or app. The city sends only emergency notifications.

What number do I call in Coral Gables during a hurricane?

The city’s resident hotline, 305-460-5401, is activated during a storm. Call 911 for emergencies and 305-442-1600 for police non-emergencies.

Is there a hurricane sales tax holiday in Florida?

Since Aug. 1, 2025, many storm items are tax-free all year in Florida, including portable generators up to 10,000 running watts, some batteries, tarps, tie-down kits and gas cans of 5 gallons or less.

How do I get help evacuating if I have a disability?

Register in advance for Miami-Dade County’s Emergency and Evacuation Assistance Program, which provides transportation for people who cannot evacuate on their own. Call 311.