Hurricane season runs to Nov. 30. Find your storm surge zone, text MBAlert to 888777 for city alerts, and call Miami Beach Emergency Management at 305-673-7736.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Miami Beach Division of Emergency Management and its hurricane guide, Miami-Dade County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Revenue.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Miami-Dade County decides evacuations and opens evacuation centers. The City of Miami Beach’s Division of Emergency Management sends alerts, plans the city’s response and handles re-entry after an evacuation. Its advice to residents: have a plan, build a kit and stay informed.

Who to call

  • Emergencies: 911
  • Miami Beach Division of Emergency Management: 305-673-7736, dem@miamibeachfl.gov
  • Police non-emergency: 305-673-7900
  • Evacuation centers, bus pickup, special needs: Miami-Dade 311
  • Power outages: FPL, 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243)
  • Poison control: 1-800-222-1222
  • City alerts: text MBAlert to 888777, or sign up for text, email and phone alerts at mbalerts.com

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.

Zone At risk of storm surge from
A Category 1 and stronger storms (greatest risk)
B Category 2 and stronger
C Category 3 and stronger
D Category 4 and stronger
E Category 5 storms

Look up your address on the county’s storm surge planning zone map, linked from the city’s Emergency Management page. Surge zones are not the same as flood insurance zones; a home outside a surge zone can still flood. The city’s flood awareness pages cover king tides and heavy rain.

Evacuation, re-entry 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.
  • 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.
  • Condo and hotel managers can register for the city’s Condo/Hotel Emergency Response Team and re-entry program on the re-entry after evacuation page.

Alerts and forecasts

Text MBAlert to 888777 for the city’s emergency texts, or register at mbalerts.com for email and phone calls too. Forecasts for Miami Beach come from the National Weather Service in Miami and storm watches and warnings from the National Hurricane Center.

Sandbags

Before hurricane season the city gives away “sandless” sandbags filled with silica gel beads that swell when soaked. In 2026 residents could take up to four per household, with proof of residency, at the municipal lots at 3501 Collins Ave. and 7940 Collins Ave. on May 29 and June 6, according to the city’s announcement. Spray or soak the bags until full before use. Throw away any bag that has touched floodwater, in a garbage bag; never put the beads in a toilet, sink, storm drain or the water.

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.

After the storm

From the city’s hurricane guide:

  • Stay off the roads until city officials say they are safe. Some roads may be restricted and curfews may be imposed; if you must drive, treat every intersection as a four-way stop.
  • Stay away from downed power lines and standing water, which may be live even when your power is out. Report outages to FPL at 1-800-468-8243.
  • Never run a generator indoors, on a balcony or near open windows; carbon monoxide kills.
  • Drain standing water around the house to keep mosquitoes down.
  • If the Building Official declares your home uninhabitable, you must leave until repairs are made. The Building Department can issue emergency permits for storm repairs.

Storm debris and bulk pickup: see trash and recycling.

What this means for you

  • Look up your surge zone today on the county map.
  • Text MBAlert to 888777 so city alerts reach your phone.
  • Save 305-673-7736 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 Miami Beach in a hurricane evacuation zone?

Miami-Dade County orders evacuations by storm surge planning zone, A through E. Check your Miami Beach address on the county’s storm surge zone map, which the city links from its Emergency Management page.

How do I get Miami Beach emergency alerts?

Text MBAlert to 888777 for text alerts, or sign up at mbalerts.com for text, email and phone call alerts from the city.

Who do I call about hurricane preparation in Miami Beach?

The city’s Division of Emergency Management, 305-673-7736. Call 911 in an emergency and 305-673-7900 for the police non-emergency line.

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.