Hurricane season begins on June 1st and goes all the way through November. If you're new to Florida, that thought can be unsettling. My advice? Prepare, don't panic. Here's a checklist to help you. And don't make the same mistake I did after moving here and experiencing my first hurricane season: I let mysefl get some serious 'storm fatigue.' Once a hurricane is spotted, no matter how far away, it becomes big news and you'll hear or read about the approaching storm for a couple of weeks before it is even near northeast FL. Don't let the hysteria worry you, but don't be complacent either. Be prepared.
One more pro trip: if you decide to leave the area before the storm hits and will be traveling with pets, identify pet-friendly hotels (or friends!) in advance and make reservations. Also be sure to have a copy of your pet's vaccination records...