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Hurricane Season 2025

What to Expect. How to Prepare.

2025 Outlook

As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season commences on June 1, residents of Southwest Florida—encompassing Estero, Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers—are reminded of the importance of proactive preparation. The region’s vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes necessitates community awareness and readiness to ensure safety and resilience.

Season Forecast Overview

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts the potential for an above average season.

  • 13 to 19 named storms (winds ≥ 39 mph)
  • 6 to 10 hurricanes (winds ≥ 74 mph)
  • 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher, winds ≥ 111 mph)

There’s a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. 

Colorado State University (CSU) aligns with this outlook, revising its forecast in July to 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes for the season. (2025 Hurricane Outlook)

June 1 - November 30

Hurricane Season lasts six months:  June 1 – November 30. Every household should have a family emergency plan.

Shelters
Who to Call
AlertLee
Flyer to Print
For HOAs

How to Prepare

The Village of Estero has a specific webpage dedicated to hurricane preparation and the village underscores the significance of individual and family readiness. Residents are encouraged to visit the site and download the Lee County All Hazards Guide, which provides detailed information on evacuation zones, emergency supply kits, and shelter locations. Notably, the Estero Recreation Center (9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd) and Hertz Arena (11000 Everblades Parkway) are designated emergency shelters. Additionally, Estero Fire Rescue offers sandbags to residents preparing for potential flooding. Please visit the  Village of Estero Hurricane Preparedness WebPage.

Tips

You may do several things to prepare before the season starts, and, hopefully, you will not need to use them. The Insurance Information Institute3 has provided the following information.

Know the evacuation routes

While you will undoubtedly get instructions from the local government, it is wise to create your evacuation plan well before a disaster strikes. This way, you can know about the nearest shelters ahead of time, take your pets into account in your plan, and make sure to take important papers.

Keep non-perishable supplies on hand

Get ahead of the rush by having the following on hand:

  • Extra batteries
  • Candles or lamps with fuel
  • Matches (keep these dry)
  • Materials and tools for emergency home repairs include heavy plastic sheeting, plywood, a hammer, a wrench, other basic tools, etc.
  • Prescription drugs
  • A three-day supply of drinking water
  • Food that you do not have to refrigerate or cook
  • First-aid supplies
  • A portable NOAA weather radio
  • A flashlight

If you need to evacuate, you should take these supplies with you!

Take an inventory of personal items

Taking inventory will help ensure that you have purchased enough insurance to replace your possessions. It can also speed the claims process, substantiate losses for income tax purposes, and is helpful should you need to apply for disaster aid. Take it with you if you evacuate.

Special Needs Shelters

Special Needs Shelters: Register Now—Don’t Wait

uppose you or someone you care about relies on electricity for medical devices, such as oxygen concentrators or feeding pumps, needs skilled nursing care, or has mobility challenges that would make navigating a general shelter difficult. In that case, you might qualify for a special needs shelter.

Lee County Emergency Management offers specialized shelters designed to accommodate medical needs during a storm; however, pre-registration is required. The Village of Estero encourages eligible residents to sign up in advance to avoid last-minute stress. Visit https://estero-fl.gov/special-needs-shelters to review qualifications and register online.

medication

Chronic Health Conditions? Be Proactive

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reminds all individuals with chronic health issues or disabilities to begin planning now for the possibility of power outages, evacuations, or delays in care. Their 2025 Hurricane Preparedness Toolkit includes checklists and guidance for families, caregivers, and providers.

A few top tips:

  • Keep a 7-day supply of medication and back-up batteries for devices.
  • Familiarize yourself with your pharmacy’s disaster procedures.
  • Create an easy-to-grab folder with your medical information, emergency contacts, and care plans.

You can find the complete CMS resource here: https://mailchi.mp/centers4ms/2025preparehurricanes 

pets

Don’t Forget Your Pets – Plan Ahead

In the chaos of preparing your home and family, it’s easy to forget that your pets need an emergency plan too. According to Lee County All Hazards Guide, here’s what you need to know:

  • Prepare a pet emergency kit with food, water, leash, medications, vaccination records, and a recent photo.
  • All shelters are pet friendly. Pets allowed include cats, dogs, and other non-venomous domesticated species. You will be responsible for the care of your animal(s).
  • No registration is required. For the safety of other sheltered people and animals, make alternate plans for any animals posing a danger.

 

Review your insurance cover: Consider flood insurance.

Keep in mind that your homeowner’s insurance covers the cost of temporary repairs for hurricane damage and reasonable additional living expenses (ALE). Coverage is above your ordinary living expenses if you must relocate (such as the extra expense of getting to work or school if your temporary home is in a different community). However, your homeowner’s policy does not cover flood damage, so you may consider looking into flood insurance.

Protect your home

Hurricane-force winds can turn landscaping materials into missiles that can break windows and doors. Much of the property damage associated with hurricanes occurs after the windstorm when rain enters structures through broken windows, doors, and openings in the roof.

  • Replace gravel or rock landscaping materials with shredded bark, which is lighter and will not cause as much harm.
  • Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house and keep shrubbery trimmed.
  • Install storm shutters to protect your windows from breakage. Alternately, fit plywood panels to your windows, which can be nailed to window frames when a storm approaches.
  • Ensure exterior doors are hurricane-proof and have at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock that is at least one inch long.
  • Sliding glass doors should be made of tempered glass and, during a storm, covered with shutters or plywood. These doors are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors.
  • Replace old garage doors and tracks with a door approved for wind pressure and impact protection.
  • Seal outside wall openings such as vents, outdoor electrical outlets, garden hose bibs, and locations where cables or pipes go through the wall. Use a high-quality urethane-based caulk to prevent water penetration.
  • If you live in a mobile home, make sure you know how to secure it against high winds and review your mobile home insurance policy.
  • If you have a boat on a trailer, know how to anchor the trailer to the ground or house—and review your boat insurance policy.

Who to Call

Some further guidance from the Estero Village2 is as follows: –

  • In case of an emergency, always call 911.
  • Everyone should have an emergency supply kit for their family and pets, with enough supplies to last at least three days without power.
  • To report a power outage, call Florida Power & Light at 1-800-468-8243.
  • If you cannot resolve your situation, contact the Village of Estero at 239-221-5035.
  • The county’s All Hazards Guide outlines storm preparations and is available in multiple languages.
  • Estero Fire Rescue, 21500 Three Oaks Parkway, will have sandbags available for those who need them.
  • City of Bonita Springs provides residents with local information at: https://www.cityofbonitasprings.org/news/what_s_new/storm_preparedness_2024 

Where are the Safe Places to Shelter?

Emergency Shelters open when determined by Emergency Management officials. Not all shelters are always open. Local radio and TV stations will announce which shelters are open during a storm. Pet-friendly shelters will be available for every storm, although locations may vary. No registration is required. Visit www.leegov.com/hurricane for the latest information at the time of a storm event.

Shelters in or near Estero are sometimes activated at: 

  • Estero Recreation Center, 9200 Corkscrew Palms Blvd
  • Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway (The upgrades at the privately-owned Hertz Arena are designed to withstand winds of 170 mph)
  • Alico Arena, 10501 FGCU Boulevard S., Ft. Myers

Stay Informed.

In Estero, there are several options to keep abreast of the latest storm information, evacuation plans, and available resources. Here are a few:

References

    1. Village of Estero: Hurricane Preparation. https://estero-fl.gov/hurricane-season-june-1-november-30/
    2. How to Prepare for Hurricane Season. The Insurance Information Institute. https://www.iii.org/article/preparing-hurricane