People living along the Gulf Coast on the Florida Panhandle are hunkered down or have moved out of harm's way due to the approaching major hurricane.

Emergency officials warned people to be out of the area by noon on Friday, but many people stayed behind to finish securing what they could before the onslaught begins.

Many people who CBS News Miami's Larry Seward spoke with were evacuating the area early to avoid a life-threatening storm surge and tornadoes.

On Pensacola Beach, it was a sign of the times.

Front yard coconut weather stations showed the wind building and stores across the area were shut down by noon.

Tourists hit the road, too.

Deb Mulinaro, of Indianapolis, took one last look at the Gulf before her umbrella turned upside down like her family vacation.

"Because we don't have to work until Tuesday, we were going to like take a leisurely drive up and kind of maybe stop and do something on the way, but since rain is going to follow us all the way, we're not going to," she said.

Escambia County authorities ordered evacuations of the island and other flood-prone areas.

A few people planned to hunker down and ride out the dangerous major hurricane.

Steve Mauriello can't. He lives there, and his home is a rebuild replacing structures wiped out by hurricanes Aaron and Opal in 1995, and by Ivan 22 years ago.

"We're going to head south," he said. "I have friends in Melbourne, Orlando," he said. "I'll stay with them. And decide whether to come back or not, or when to come back."

Hurricane Isaias could bring devastating storm surge flooding. So, he was busy picking up anything he thought could blow away.

Many of his neighbors didn't, but they're all hoping for the best.

Emergency managers in Escambia County have opened two shelters for evacuated residents and are providing free bus service so everyone who needs to get there can.

DeSantis and other Florida officials provide an update on Isias

Gov. Ron DeSantis provided an update on the hurricane, saying that major roads, such as I-10, will be closed when Isias makes landfall and winds exceed 39 miles per hour. 

"Colleges, state universities in the Panhandle have also announced closures, and it could stay closed until either Monday or Tuesday next week, depending on damage," said DeSantis.

DeSantis also warns residents to prepare as soon as possible, and not wait until Friday evening to get supplies. 

"There's going to be a point in the not-so-distant future where the storm has not made landfall yet, but conditions will still be hazardous and not safe to be driving, so remember to finish preparations now and don't wait until the evening," said DeSantis.  

He also advises not to just look at severe weather alerts, but to pay attention to the weather, since hurricane winds could bring other dangerous weather events. 

"Pay attention to all local alerts and the weather in the coming days. If you don't pay attention to the weather as well, there could be other natural disasters like tornadoes that you would need to be conscious of," said DeSantis. 

Other Florida officials, including Attorney General James Uthmeier, warned of crimes during hurricanes like Isias. Uthmeier noted that people caught stealing during emergencies will face severe punishment. 

On Thursday morning, members of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force One and Miami Fire Rescue Task Force Two packed up essential equipment and gear to offer assistance before, during and after the hurricane.

"We start preparing days in advance," Florida Task Force One Capt. German Leal told CBS News Miami. "We have a big supply and equipment. We have a medical doctor. We have four medical specialists. We have K-9s. We have 88 members total."

The team has equipment capable of swift- and high-water rescues, and will be canvassing the impacted areas to conduct search and rescue missions, if needed, disaster recovery and damage assessments after the storm.

"Knowing the Panhandle, I've been there a couple of times, we have heavy flooding," Leal continued. "It's going to be a lot of windstorm damage. But we anticipate a lot of flooding."

Florida Task Force Two is also headed to the region, with the 80-member team also capable of assisting with swift- and high-water rescues.

Hurricane Isaias prompts mandatory evacuations along parts of Florida Panhandle

Counties along the Florida Panhandle have issued local states of emergency and have even told residents and tourists to evacuate and move inland as Hurricane Isaias approaches.

"We take disaster preparedness and response seriously in Okaloosa County and want to make sure every individual has the resources they need to keep themselves and their family safe," Okaloosa County Board Chairman Trey Goodwin said in a statement. 

Okaloosa County, home to cities like Destin and Fort Walton Beach, has also opened some shelters for evacuated residents to hunker down during the storm.

Florida Panhandle prepares for Hurricane Isaias 

Residents on the Florida Panhandle have been busy preparing for Hurricane Isaias, with Gov. Ron DeSantis declaring a state of emergency for 25 counties as the system threatens to bring heavy rain, strong winds and flooding to parts of the state by the end of the workweek.

DeSantis signed the executive order Tuesday night, allowing state agencies to position resources ahead of potential impacts across the Panhandle and Big Bend regions.

Isaias, which developed from Tropical Depression Nine on Wednesday morning, has strengthened into a hurricane late Tuesday evening before approaching the northern Gulf Coast on Friday.

"Today, I signed an Executive Order issuing a state of emergency ahead of potential impacts from Tropical Depression 9," DeSantis said in a press release Tuesday. "This order will allow the Florida Division of Emergency Management to stage critical preparedness resources and ensure Florida is ready to respond."

DeSantis urged Floridians to review their disaster plans and make sure their hurricane supply kits are stocked.

Hurricane Isaias is the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic Season

Isaias is expected to pass north of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula on Thursday before approaching the U.S. Gulf Coast on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The NHC expects Isaias to rapidly strengthen and become a hurricane before reaching the northern Gulf Coast.

Isaias became the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season. It is already the ninth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30.

Isaias is also expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall to the Gulf Coast and Southeast into the weekend and early next week. Between 3 and 6 inches of rain are forecast from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, with isolated totals of up to 10 inches possible.

Heavy rainfall, strong winds, coastal flooding, and isolated tornadoes are among the potential threats to North Florida. Additional rain could also further saturate soils and increase the risk of flash flooding following recent significant rainfall in the state.

Florida stages emergency resources

The Florida State Emergency Response Team is mobilizing resources ahead of the storm, with supplies being strategically staged in Tallahassee and the Santa Rosa area for rapid deployment if needed, DeSantis said.

The resources include generators, fuel, flood barriers, pallets of bottled water, shelf-stable meals, flood buckets, tarps, Tiger Dams, and sandbags.

Which Florida counties are under the state of emergency?

The state of emergency covers Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla and Washington counties.

State officials are urging residents to continue monitoring the storm and prepare for possible impacts as the forecast becomes clearer.

Florida state law prohibits an "unconscionable increase" in the price of essential commodities, like gas, as a direct result of a declared state of emergency due to a hurricane or other natural disaster.

Uthmeier is asking anyone who sees or suspects price gouging to report it.

What constitutes an essential commodity may change depending on the length and nature of the state of emergency, but could include supplies necessary for storm events like food, water, gas, ice, lodging, lumber and other services like tree removal, water remediation and roof service repairs.

DeSantis declared state of emergency in 25 counties ahead of Isaias

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency earlier this week for 25 counties as Hurricane Isaias threatens to bring heavy rain, strong winds and flooding to parts of the state by Friday.

DeSantis signed the executive order Tuesday night, allowing state agencies to position resources ahead of potential impacts across the Panhandle and Big Bend regions.

The state of emergency covers Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla and Washington counties.

South Florida sends first responders to Panhandle to help

On Thursday morning, members of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force One and Miami Fire Rescue Task Force Two packed up essential equipment and gear to offer assistance before, during and after the hurricane.

"We start preparing days in advance," Florida Task Force One Capt. German Leal told CBS News Miami. "We have a big supply and equipment. We have a medical doctor. We have four medical specialists. We have K-9s. We have 88 members total."

Members of Florida Task Force Two are also headed to the Florida Panhandle to help where it can.

Residents along the Panhandle have been busy preparing for the incoming hurricane by stocking up on supplies like food, water and sand.

Some residents are also included in mandatory evacuations. 

According to the Insurance Information Institute, only 18% of Florida residents have flood insurance, and many may not know whether they're in a flood zone.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updates its flood maps regularly, basing its information on rainfall amounts, storm surges, canal locations and other data points. And, South Florida is no exception. South Florida is no exception, where heavy rainfall, king tides and other coastal flooding can increase the risk in vulnerable areas.

These maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), illustrate flood hazards throughout the area and can be used when determining insurance policy rates and helping you residents and businesses identify their flooding risks.

Use these maps below for Miami-Dade and Broward counties to help you take the necessary precautions and better understand your flood risk before the next heavy rain or king tide:

Miami-Dade flood zones map

Can't see the Miami-Dade County flood zones map? Click here.

Broward flood zones map

Can't see the Broward County flood zones map? Click here. 

The Great Miami Hurricane made landfall on Miami Beach on Sept. 18, 1926, before its eye passed directly over Downtown Miami. The massive storm brought destructive winds and storm surge across a wide swath of South Florida, with damage stretching from Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to Hallandale Beach, Everglades City and the Lake Okeechobee region.

An estimated 372 people were killed across the region, including 114 in what is now Miami-Dade County and 45 in Broward. Damage was estimated at about $100 million at the time. Some modern estimates put the potential cost of a similar storm today as high as $235 billion.

Unlike Hurricane Andrew, a relatively compact but exceptionally intense storm that struck South Florida in 1992, the 1926 hurricane affected a much broader area.

South Florida had little warning before the hurricane

The hurricane largely caught South Florida by surprise. Weather officials did not take serious notice of the threat until the storm reached the Bahamas on Sept. 17, just a day before landfall.

There were no weather satellites or radar to track the hurricane, and residents did not have access to the modern warning systems that provide days of notice ahead of approaching storms.

The danger was compounded by Miami's booming population. Many residents had recently moved from northern states and had little or no experience with hurricanes.

That unfamiliarity proved deadly when the hurricane's eye passed over Miami. Some residents mistook the sudden calm for the end of the storm and ventured outside.

Richard Gray, the chief meteorologist in charge of the Miami Weather Bureau, reportedly shouted warnings from his downtown office window before taking to the streets to tell residents that the storm was not over.

Then the hurricane's backside arrived.

"There were a lot of people that were swept into the river," Miami historian and documentarian Casey Piket told CBS News Miami.

Piket, a fifth-generation Miami resident, grew up hearing stories about the hurricane from relatives who survived the storm but lost their home.

"They left there to a friend's house but had to crawl across the street just to get there," Piket said.

Hurricane's winds battered some of Miami's best-known buildings

The hurricane's storm surge claimed lives while its winds ripped apart wooden homes and tore roofs from masonry structures.

Some of Miami's major buildings survived, although several sustained extensive damage.

Among the most dramatic examples was the 17-story Meyer-Kiser Building in Downtown Miami. The structure was battered by winds estimated at 145 to 150 mph.

"It was damaged so badly they said steel was twisted because of the wind," Piket said. "What they ended up doing was lopping off the top 10 stories, and now it is a seven-story building."

On Miami Beach, the Browns Hotel also took the brunt of the hurricane. Built with sturdy Dade County pine, the building survived and remains standing a century later. It now houses the restaurant Prime 112.

The hurricane's consequences extended well beyond the physical destruction. It struck as South Florida's land and construction boom was already beginning to falter, worsening the region's economic troubles years before the 1929 stock market crash ushered in the Great Depression nationally.

"It really kind of catapulted Miami into the Great Depression three years before the rest of the country," Piket said.

Some accounts suggest South Florida did not fully recover from the hurricane and the economic downturn that followed until well into the 1930s or even the World War II era.

A century later, Piket said the Great Miami Hurricane carries an enduring warning for the millions of people who now call South Florida home, including newcomers who have never experienced a major hurricane.

"It should serve as a reminder that natural disasters are part of our ecology, our ecosystem in Miami," Piket said.

The hurricane of 1926 showed the potential price of living in paradise, a lesson that remains relevant 100 years later.

Sixteen-year-old Elise Raurell created Storm Smart as her 2025 Girl Scout Gold Award project after realizing hurricane preparedness was largely absent from what students were learning in school, despite the annual threat storms pose across South Florida.

"Growing up in South Florida, going to public school, I realized that we weren't really learning anything about hurricane preparation safety, even though it's super important," Raurell said.

The program teaches students how to assemble hurricane emergency kits, prepare their homes, and stay safe during and after a storm through classroom presentations, printed materials, social media and online resources. Storm Smart also offers educational content on YouTube and Instagram, along with additional information through its website.

"Module 3 covers the details of during and after the storm, which might be the most important part, how to stay safe when the hurricane is actually happening, and after it occurs," Raurell said.

Storm Smart program reaches hundreds of students across South Florida

Unlike traditional presentations led by adults, Storm Smart relies on students to teach fellow classmates, allowing participants to build leadership and public speaking skills while sharing life-saving information.

So far, the program has reached nearly 500 students and is continuing to expand to more schools throughout South Florida.

"One of the most rewarding parts of this program is seeing students learn the material and then go on to teach their peers about it, and through that learn leadership and teaching skills," Raurell said.

Raurell said the idea for Storm Smart was inspired by her own experience during Hurricane Irma, when she witnessed the damage left behind in her neighborhood.

"I was scared about the destruction on my street, and the trees that had fallen down. I want to make sure that every student is prepared for that, and they know what to expect," she said.

Her mother, Abbie Raurell, said watching her daughter develop the project has been a source of pride.

"So proud and just impressed with her ability to come up with a project and work on it in such a self-sufficient and independent way," Abbie Raurell said.

Raurell hopes to continue expanding Storm Smart into more South Florida schools, giving more students the knowledge and confidence to prepare before the next hurricane threatens the region.

• Emergency blanket
• Meals ready to eat
• Flashlights
• Ponchos
• First aid kits
• Electrolytes
• Detergent sheets
• Makeup
• Cases of water
• Dog food

"I mean, you don't want to be caught off guard with supplies," said Jay Marrero of GEM.

CBS News Miami staff were on hand to help load trunks as people drove up and distribute the station's hurricane preparedness guide. A copy of the guide is available here.

Safety is a top priority for Florida Power and Light and is the cornerstone of the utility company's commitment to customers and its employees.

Whether you've lived in Florida for your entire life or you're new to the region, having an emergency plan in place is the best way you and your family can stay safe during hurricane season.

Here's what you can do before, during and after a hurricane:

What is a hurricane emergency plan?

• You should determine whether your home or business is located in a flood zone, and review your local evacuation routes.
• You should also consider whether you will shelter in place at your home during a hurricane or evacuate the area, and also have a plan for where you'll go and if you need a separate plan for your pets.
• The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends that drivers keep their gas tanks at least half-full throughout hurricane season. Electric vehicle should aim to maintain a charge between 50% and 80% at all times.
• In addition, you should reach out to your local emergency management office if you or anyone you know has special medical needs, in case of an evacuation. Apply for FLPs Medically Essential Service designation if someone in your home relies on electric-powered equipment.

What should be in a hurricane emergency kit?

• Florida residents are urged to build an emergency kit and fill it with non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, batteries, medications and a first-aid kit.
• Determine a backup power source. Don't forget to include phone chargers, power banks and a waterproof container for important documents.
• And don't forget information such as insurance policies, health cards, birth certificates, Social Security cards, a list of emergency contacts and a recent copy of your FPL bill.

How to prepare your home for a hurricane

• Move your patio furniture and outdoor items inside. Fasten your doors and windows and cover valuables and furniture with plastic and move away from windows.
• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electronics, including pool equipment, and set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest temperatures to keep food fresh and frozen for as long as possible after a hurricane.
• DO NOT attempt to trim trees or vegetation near overhead power lines by yourself. Only hire qualified, line-clearing professionals to trim trees and other vegetation near power lines. Here where to find more information on tree trimming policies.
• Look up and find the location of power lines before you begin to work on a ladder. Make sure that any ladders or scaffolds are far enough away so that you – and the ends of your tools – don't come within 10 feet of power lines.

How to stay safe after a hurricane

If you're planning to use a portable generator, make sure to read and follow all the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to set it up outside – not in your home or garage – and connect appliances directly to it. Do not wire your generator directly to your home's breaker or fuse box, as the power you generate may flow back into power lines and cause injuries.

Stay far away from and do not touch any downed power lines or flooded and debris-laden areas that may be hiding downed power lines. If you see damaged electrical equipment, call 911.

How can Floridians stay informed after a hurricane?

• Bookmark FPL.com and save 1-800-4-OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) to your cell phone to report and check the status of your restoration.
• Stay informed by following your local news and FPL's social media pages for updates on storm conditions and heed warnings.

     Facebook: @fplconnect

     Instagram: @insidefpl

     X: @insideFPL

• FPL works year-round to be ready for severe weather and urges customers to prepare by making safety a priority this storm season. For more tips, visit FPL.com/storm.

This content is sponsored by Florida Power & Light

While seasonal outlooks call for a less active year than recent seasons, meteorologists stress that it only takes one hurricane to have a major impact. Florida avoided a direct hurricane strike in 2025, but the NEXT Weather team says residents should not let their guard down.

The CBS News Miami special "Survive the Season: Hurricane 2026," takes a closer look at the risks facing South Florida and the steps families can take now to prepare. From building an emergency kit and creating a family evacuation plan to understanding insurance coverage and protecting your home, the program offers practical guidance for hurricane season.

South Floridians can also access the CBS News Miami 2026 Hurricane Season Guide, which includes preparedness checklists, evacuation information, forecast resources and expert advice to help families stay safe before, during and after a storm.

Here are some of the key topics featured in the special:

• FPL's stronger power grid: Florida Power & Light said years of infrastructure upgrades, including burying power lines and reinforcing critical transmission lines, are helping improve the electric grid's resilience and restore power faster after major storms.

• Finding your safe room: Broward County emergency officials say every household should identify an interior room without windows where family members can quickly shelter during a hurricane or tornado warning.

• Understanding flood insurance: Flood damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. Experts explain what flood insurance covers, how much it can cost and why waiting until a storm is approaching may leave homeowners without protection.

• Inside the Hurricane Hunters: The U.S. Air Force and NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft fly directly into tropical systems to collect critical data on a storm's track, intensity and structure, providing forecasters with information that helps improve hurricane forecasts and warnings.

• Florida's changing insurance market: Experts say Florida homeowners are entering the 2026 hurricane season with more insurance options than in recent years as new companies enter the market, but recent law changes mean policyholders should review their coverage and understand claim filing deadlines before a storm strikes.

The organizations will host hurricane preparedness distributions at four locations across South Florida from 9 a.m. to noon, providing families with essential storm-preparedness supplies and resources ahead of what forecasters expect to be another active hurricane season.

Hurricane season officially begins June 1, and organizers said preparation remains one of the most important steps families can take before a storm threatens the region.

South Florida hurricane preparedness supplies distribution points

Beginning at 9 a.m. on June 6, residents will be able to receive hurricane preparedness supplies and information designed to help communities get ready before severe weather impacts South Florida and beyond.

"At Neighbors 4 Neighbors, our commitment alongside CBS Miami is rooted in serving and strengthening the communities we call home," organizers said in a statement. "Hurricane preparedness can save lives, and by working together before a storm arrives, we can help families feel safer, supported and ready for whatever this season may bring."

The distribution sites will be located at:

• Antioch Missionary Church, 21311 NW 34th Ave., Miami Gardens
• Harris Field Park, 1034 NE 8th St., Homestead
• Amerant Bank Arena, 1 Panther Pkwy., Sunrise
• Vincent Torres Park, 4331 NW 36th St., Lauderdale Lakes  

Organizers encouraged residents to arrive early, as supplies will be distributed while they last. Additional event information, preparedness resources and updates are available through Global Empowerment Mission.

You can explore the 2026 CBS News Miami hurricane season guide below in both English and Spanish.

The guide includes everything from ways to safeguard your home and loved ones to a checklist of essential supplies to have before a hurricane strikes.

Click on the cover of each guide to view or download.

CBS News Miami 2026 hurricane season guide

CBS News Miami 2026 hurricane season guide (Español)

The warning comes even after Florida experienced a relatively quiet 2025 hurricane season. According to Mark Friedlander, Florida spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute, the lack of major storms last year did not lead to significant changes in flood insurance rates, but timing remains critical for anyone seeking coverage.

"There are no policies available at the last minute," Friedlander said. "In fact, there are moratoriums that are in place on all insurance coverage when storm warnings are issued."

Friedlander said homeowners and renters ideally should have secured flood insurance before June 1, the official start of hurricane season, because most policies carry a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect.

The warning is especially relevant in South Florida, where flooding remains a persistent threat even outside of hurricanes.

In May, Broward County public works crews cleared debris from storm drains in Oakland Park's North Andrews neighborhood, much of which lies within a designated special flood hazard area.

Flood damage can happen quickly, Friedlander said, even during routine rain events.

"Just one inch of flood water can cause $25,000 of damage in your home," he said. "So you can imagine if you had a foot of flood water in your home how much damage that is and you would be on the hook to pay that out of pocket if you don't have flood insurance. So it's really important."

The risks are not theoretical. In April 2023, heavy rainfall flooded neighborhoods across parts of Broward County, damaging homes and vehicles.

Flood insurance is separate from homeowners coverage

Friedlander said many property owners mistakenly believe their standard homeowners insurance policy covers flooding. In reality, flood insurance must be purchased separately from both homeowners and hurricane windstorm policies.

Policies are available through the National Flood Insurance Program, which is backed by the federal government, as well as through private insurers.

According to Friedlander, the average flood insurance premium in Florida is about $894 per year.

National Flood Insurance Program policies cover up to $250,000 in damage to a single-family home. Homeowners with higher-value properties may need additional protection.

"If you have a more expensive home, meaning it's going to cost more for replacement after a natural catastrophe, you want to look at the private market because you want to make sure you have adequate financial protection far beyond what the national flood insurance policy offers," Friedlander said.

Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation currently lists 57 private flood insurance providers operating in the state.

Some South Florida residents remain skeptical

Despite the risks, some residents remain unconvinced that flood insurance is worth the cost.

Retired Oakland Park resident James Wertz said purchasing additional insurance is not high on his priority list.

"You know, I don't want to buy any kind of insurance," Wertz said. "My brother paid 30 years on insurance on his house that flooded and they cancelled it. Why should that happen to me?"

Wertz said he has no plans to move from the neighborhood, but after hearing Friedlander's advice, he acknowledged he may need to take another look at flood coverage before the next storm threatens South Florida.

The utility's Storm Secure Underground Program, launched after Hurricane Irma in 2017, focuses on making the power grid more resilient by burying power lines underground and reinforcing critical overhead infrastructure.

Since the initiative began, FPL said approximately 2,000 miles of power lines have been relocated underground across Florida. According to the company, underground lines performed five to 14 times better than overhead lines during Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton in 2024.

FPL said the undergrounding effort is designed to reduce storm-related outages and help restore power more quickly after severe weather.

For major transmission lines that cannot be placed underground, the company has reinforced them with concrete or steel structures. These lines provide power to critical facilities, including hospitals, 911 call centers and first responder stations.

According to FPL, about 85% of the main power lines in its service area have either been hardened or buried underground. While much of the work completed so far has been concentrated in Florida's Panhandle, the company says it plans to harden 100% of its main power lines over the next decade.

The improvements come as Florida has avoided a direct landfall from a tropical system in South Florida for nearly nine years, though utility officials continue preparing for future storms and the potential impact they could have on the state's power grid.

Broward County Emergency Management Director Clay Pacheco said every home should have a designated "safe room," an interior space without windows where residents can shelter during hurricanes, tornadoes or other severe weather.

"The thing with the safe room, there's no windows," Pacheco said. "First and foremost, that's the most important point."

What can be used as a "safe room" during a hurricane or tornado?

Safe rooms can include interior bathrooms, closets or hallways. The key, Pacheco said, is knowing exactly where the space is and how to get there quickly if dangerous weather develops.

That preparation becomes especially important during hurricanes, when tornadoes can form with little warning.

"Especially if we get an out-of-the-blue tornado warning, which we get many in the northwest quadrant of hurricanes, you may have 5 to 10 minutes' notice that it's coming on top of you," Pacheco said.

Emergency managers recommend keeping a few essential items near the shelter area before a storm arrives, including a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio and something to protect your head, such as a pillow or small mattress.

Pacheco said head protection can be critical if hurricane-force winds or a tornado causes part of a structure to collapse.

What should you keep in your hurricane safe room?

Officials also stress that a safe room works best when paired with a well-protected home. Impact-resistant windows and doors provide an additional layer of protection against wind-driven debris that can shatter traditional glass.

"It really gives you a layer of protection that regular windows don't," Pacheco said, noting that impact-rated products are tested to withstand major hurricane conditions.

The protection can be especially important when loose objects such as patio furniture, planters and grills become airborne during a storm.

Are impact windows enough protection during a hurricane?

For homeowners who have accordion shutters, Pacheco said they can provide additional protection. However, he said impact-rated windows alone are sufficient.

"You are more than fine with impact windows," he said.

With hurricane season underway, emergency officials said residents should focus on both securing the outside of their homes and identifying the safest place to shelter inside. 

Taking those steps before a storm arrives can help families react quickly when severe weather threatens.

The Air Force's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance squadron flies 10 Super Hercules aircraft out of Biloxi, Mississippi. NOAA pilots fly three more specialized jets out of a base in Lakeland. All of the aircraft collect real-time data used for focusing on a hurricane's track. 

"These aircraft can fly directly into a tropical storm or hurricane and provide us direct measurements of how strong a storm is. How big it is and tell us where it's located," said Michael Brennan, Director of the National Hurricane Center.

The Super Hercules aircrafts cost $80 million each. They are known amongst meteorologists as flying laboratories that plunge into the strongest winds of category three, four and five hurricanes. 

"The temperature, humidity, wind speed and the pressure. When were in the center of the hurricane, that's vital information the hurricane center is looking for," said Major Joyce Hirai, U.S. Air Force Reserves Weather Officer. 

"That data comes back to us in real time for our forecasters to look at the hurricane center.  It also goes into the forecast models so we can tell you where it is going to go and how strong it's going to be," said Brennan.

The winds are the strongest in the eyewall and are used to determine the category strength of the storm. The eyewall winds provide for more than a bumpy ride. 

"The eyewall is really intense. Lots of wind and rain, turbulence, lightning, and hail. You hit the eyewall and the airplane is getting beat up," said Jordan Mentzer, a Hurricane Hunter pilot.

The hurricane hunter planes are normally cargo planes that are temporarily outfitted with meteorological equipment, including a dropsonde station. 

It is a key tool used to track hurricanes in real-time and is the size of a paper towel roll. 

The tracking device is dropped through a tube out of the aircrafts floor and falls through the storm clouds. As it drops, a parachute pops open and slows its decent. While dropping to Earth, it collects the storms' wind speed and pressure and transmits that back to the aircraft.  The data is reviewed and then fowarded to the National Hurricane Center for use in its forecasts. 

The Hurricane Hunter fleet is standing by to be deployed this season if any storms approach the United States.

That's why a growing number of properties are being taken to court to stop their floodwater from flowing into the street.

Eileen Bicaba recorded a video of her dropping blue dye outside an elevated storage facility when it rained on May 17.

The video shows the water spilling onto the street and carrying the dye all the way from 135th Street to Northeast 3rd Court near her home.

"I wanted to prove a point that we do get the water, and we do get a lot of water from that facility," Bicaba said.

The City of North Miami sent the property a notice of violation in April of 2025 for deficiency in water drain and retention systems.

The notice said there was a deadline for compliance, but it didn't list a date.

CBS News Miami asked the city when the deadline is, and if the property complies. CBS News Miami is still waiting for a response.

"I want all these facilities to fix the problem," Bicaba said. "They need to retain the water on-site."

Just last week, Bicaba added the lot's property owner to a lawsuit she's filed against several other property owners near her house, demanding they build more drains.

She claimed that this lot's owner failed to "investigate, assess ,or remediate drainage deficiencies when it was acquired."

"With each project the flooding gets progressively worse," Bicaba said.

CBS News Miami reached out to the lawyer representing the business and all the defendants in the lawsuit, asking for comment on the suit and the city's violation notice.

CBS News Miami is still waiting for a response.

Bicaba's lawyer, Raul Gastesi, said many new South Florida developments are being built on higher levels – and said with that comes responsibility.

"They raised these properties anywhere between four and six feet," Gastesi said. "Of course the water is going to run off it. You know that, so you have to design it so the water stays on your property."

The city's notice of violation told the owners of the property that if it doesn't get into compliance, the property could be fined anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 per day.

According to Bankrate, only Nebraska and Louisiana outpace Florida in average home insurance costs.

In recent months, extreme weather already has underscored the risks.

An EF-0 tornado struck Palm Springs North ahead of the official start of hurricane season, damaging homes and forcing residents to rely on neighbors for help.

"It was so violent that you couldn't see anything," resident Carlos Varela said. "All you saw was stuff flying through the air".

For some families, recovery comes without the financial safety net of insurance.

In Fort Lauderdale's Edgewood neighborhood, historic rainfall three years ago led to severe flooding that left several feet of water inside homes, including those owned by Tony Schrieber."The water that day came very fast," Schrieber said.

Schrieber owns two houses on the same block. One was covered by flood insurance, the other was not. After restoring both properties, he said he recognized the value of flood coverage, calling it "reasonable compared to the damage it caused".

Still, Schrieber has chosen not to carry hurricane insurance on one of his properties.

"It's a risk decision," he said. "It's just one I've made on this property that I might not make on another. I'm not naive to hurricanes, it's just a calculation".

Industry experts say his decision is not uncommon.

Some homeowners opt to "self-insure" if not required to have coverage

An insurance agent with Keyes Coverage estimates that roughly 15% of South Florida homeowners without mortgages also go without home insurance.

Without lenders requiring coverage, some homeowners opt to "self-insure," setting aside personal savings instead.

Mark Bluh, an insurance agent with decades of experience, said the cost of insuring an average $400,000 home in Miami-Dade County can reach $10,000 per year. 

About 60% of that total is tied to hurricane and wind coverage.

Even Bluh said he understands the temptation to drop coverage.

"I am in the business, and I know how much it costs," he said. "I would seriously consider doing away with some of those expenses when I finally pay off my mortgage". 

However, he cautioned that self-insuring requires discipline many homeowners lack.

"A lot of people have the best intentions," Bluh said. "But after a couple of years, they see money accumulating and think they can hold off".

As South Florida enters another hurricane season, homeowners face a difficult balance between rising costs and the unpredictable threat of severe weather.