The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins today, June 1 and continues through November 30.

Hurricane Season Forecast

NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Weather Prediction Center predict below-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year.

For the 2026 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a range of 8 to 14 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 3 to 6 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 3 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). Forecasters have a 70% confidence in these ranges.

Regardless of how many storms are predicted, we need to be prepared at all times for the possibility of a direct hit.

Free Sandless Sandbag Distribution

The City of Miami Beach will be hosting free sandless sandbag distribution events to help residents stay prepared this hurricane season.

Saturday, June 6 from 9 AM – 12 PM & Sunday, June 14 from 9 AM – 12 PM

Two surface parking lot locations: South/Mid Beach: 3501 Collins Avenue & North Beach: 7940 Collins Avenue

The sandless sandbags come prefilled with silica gel beads that expand in water. There is a limit of 4 per household while supplies last. Residents are required to show proof of residency via a government-issued ID or utility bill.

Have A Plan & Build A Kit

If you have not taken steps to prepare your household, now is the time to make sure you have a plan and build a disaster supply kit.

Always keep a preparedness kit at home stocked with essential emergency supplies. Some items will help you shelter in place, others may be necessary if you need to evacuate and many will be useful once you return home after a storm.

Parking

The City of Miami Beach will open public parking garages to Miami Beach residents when a Flood Watch is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). Residents may park vehicles at no cost with proof of residency when exiting the parking facility.

In the event the NWS issues a Flash Flood Warning for Miami Beach, the city’s two approved towing companies — Beach Towing and Tremont Towing — will offer a $50 towing service for any Miami Beach resident to any location within city limits. Residents must provide proof of residency and their vehicle registration address must match their driver’s license.

Report Flooding

If you come across any flooding that obstructs access or causes damage to public or private property, please report it to the Miami Beach 24/7 Public Works Control Room by calling 305.673.7625, using the Miami Beach Gov app or emailing flooding@miamibeachfl.gov.

what3words

Miami Beach is using what3words to help emergency responders locate people faster and more accurately. The what3words system has divided the world into small 10-foot squares and assigned each one a unique three-word address.

Whether you’re on the beach, in a park, at a large event, or simply unsure of your exact location, sharing your three-word address can help first responders find you quickly when every second counts.

If you call 911 and are unable to provide your precise location, a dispatcher may send you a text message with a secure what3words link. Simply open the link and read the three words displayed on your screen in the order shown. Those three words identify your exact location and help emergency personnel reach you faster.

The what3words app is free to download for iOS and Android devices, but you do not need to have the app installed to use the service during an emergency.

Tree Pruning

Make sure to properly prune your trees to reduce the risk of storm damage. Don’t wait! Once a storm is on its way, it is too late to prune.