How to prepare your AC for a hurricane in Jacksonville

JaxReady is the City of Jacksonville's site for emergency planning. It says "Tropical storms and hurricanes are among the most dangerous risks to Duval County." This guide covers what these sources say as of October 2026:

• the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
• JaxReady
• Ready.gov
• the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
• Florida law

The guidance we found does not tell you to cover the outdoor unit. The section on covers and shutoff explains what we checked.

When is hurricane season in Jacksonville?

The National Hurricane Center says "the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30." Its climatology page says the season peaks on September 10. It says most activity occurs "between mid-August and mid-October." It also notes that tropical cyclone activity "sometimes occurs before and after these dates." JaxReady's hurricane page gives the same season dates. It describes the peak as running from mid-August into late October.

The NHC bases its averages on the 30 years from 1991 to 2020. It says an average Atlantic season brings 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

Raise heating and cooling equipment if your home can flood

JaxReady's hurricane page lists a step for flood and storm surge: "Elevate water heater, electric panel, and heating/cooling systems if susceptible to flooding." It is the only instruction we found on that page that names heating and cooling equipment.

Flood risk in Jacksonville is not limited to hurricanes. JaxReady's flooding page says: "With many low-lying areas, the St. Johns River, and other waterways, Duval County is always at risk for flooding regardless of whether a tropical cyclone is affecting our area." JaxReady's advice to raise heating and cooling systems applies if your outdoor unit or air handler could flood.

What Florida law says about AC stands and slabs

Florida law covers how exposed equipment outside a home is judged for wind. Florida Statute 553.844(4), in the 2026 Florida Statutes, reads:

"Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, exposed mechanical equipment or appliances fastened to a roof or installed on the ground in compliance with the code using rated stands, platforms, curbs, slabs, walls, or other means are deemed to comply with the wind resistance requirements of the 2007 Florida Building Code, as amended. Further support or enclosure of such mechanical equipment or appliances is not required by a state or local official having authority to enforce the Florida Building Code."

The statute applies to equipment installed to code on rated stands, platforms, curbs, slabs, walls or other means. If you are not sure your unit's stand or slab meets that test, ask a licensed contractor. You can also ask your local building department.

Should you cover or turn off your AC before a storm?

We checked the hurricane guidance from the NHC, Ready.gov, JaxReady and the CPSC. We found no step telling you to cover, tarp or turn off an outdoor AC condenser before a storm.

Ready.gov's hurricane page gives broader yard advice: "De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and consider hurricane shutters." JaxReady says to "Anchor objects that are unsafe to bring indoors." Neither line names air conditioners.

Ready.gov's power outage page says to turn off or disconnect appliances during an outage. It explains that "power may return with momentary surges or spikes that can cause damage." JaxReady also lists steps for when you evacuate. One of the final actions is to "Turn off power at main electrical panel using the main switch to flip all circuit breakers to the 'off' position."

Step	Who says it	When it applies
Elevate heating and cooling systems	JaxReady	If your home is susceptible to flooding
Turn off power at the main electrical panel	JaxReady	One of the final actions if you evacuate
Turn off or disconnect appliances	Ready.gov	During a power outage
Don't touch wet electrical equipment	Ready.gov	After a hurricane
Run generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages	Ready.gov	During a power outage

Floodwater and electrical safety after the storm

Ready.gov's hurricane page warns, "Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water." It adds, "If it is safe to do so, turn off electricity at the main breaker or fuse box to prevent electric shock." Its flood page adds that floodwater "can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris." It also warns that "underground or downed power lines can electrically charge the water."

Generator safety during power outages

Generators bring carbon monoxide (CO) and shock risks. The CPSC's portable generator safety alert is dated October 2021. It says most generator incidents reported to the CPSC "involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces." The alert's rules include these:

• Never use a generator "inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation."
• Place the unit "outdoors and far from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors." Point the exhaust away from nearby buildings.
• Install CO alarms that run on batteries or plug in with battery backup. The alarms should be certified to UL 2034, IAS 6-96 or CSA 6.19.01. Test the batteries monthly.
• Never power house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. The CPSC calls this "backfeeding." It says backfeeding puts utility workers at risk of electrocution. Neighbors served by the same utility transformer face that risk too, it says.

Ready.gov says generators and fuel "should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages." It also says to keep the generator dry. It warns that "touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock." JaxReady's power outage page says generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows.