Florida hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November 30. The window between now and June 1 is when you have the most options, the most available installer capacity, and the most time to handle permit approvals without rushing. Here's what to do — whether you already have a generator or are starting from scratch.

If You Already Have a Standby Generator

A generator that hasn't been tested or serviced since last season may fail to start when you need it. The annual checklist for existing systems:

  • Schedule your annual service appointment. Most generator manufacturers recommend annual service: oil change, air filter, spark plug inspection, battery check, and coolant level (on liquid-cooled units). Schedule this before May 1 when service calendars fill up.
  • Run a manual test. Switch the generator to manual mode, start it, and let it run under load for 20 to 30 minutes. Listen for unusual noises and watch for any fault codes on the control panel.
  • Verify the automatic transfer switch. Have your service technician confirm the ATS is transferring correctly and that the generator starts on simulated outage test.
  • Check your fuel supply. If you're on propane, schedule a fill to 80% capacity before May 15. Natural gas customers simply confirm the service line is active and unobstructed.
  • Clear the generator area. Remove any vegetation, debris, or storage that has accumulated around the generator pad. Maintain 3-foot clearance on all sides.
  • Replace the battery if it's over 3 years old. Generator starter batteries fail more often than any other component. A $50 battery replacement eliminates the most common reason generators fail to start automatically.

If You Don't Yet Have a Generator

The timeline reality: installing a whole-home generator before hurricane season requires starting the process by April 1 at the latest in most Florida counties. Here's why:

  • Permit approval: 1 to 3 weeks depending on your county and current permit office workload. Miami-Dade and Broward typically run longer than Central Florida counties.
  • Equipment lead time: Standard residential generator models (18–26 kW) typically ship within 1 to 2 weeks. Less common sizes or specialty models can take 4 to 6 weeks.
  • Installer scheduling: Quality licensed installers in Florida have backlogs that grow significantly from April onward. In the weeks after a major storm watch is announced, booking windows can extend 6 to 8 weeks.

The math: if you start your quote process in late April, receive permits in mid-May, and install in late May — you're ready for June 1 opening day. But this assumes everything goes smoothly. Starting in April gives you margin for delays.

Florida Hurricane Season Facts

Knowing the statistics helps calibrate urgency:

  • Florida has been struck by more hurricanes than any other state in the continental US.
  • The peak of Atlantic hurricane season is August 20 to October 10.
  • Since 2000, Florida has experienced nine major hurricanes (Category 3+) making landfall.
  • Average power outage duration after a major Florida hurricane: 7 to 14 days for worst-affected areas.

These aren't hypothetical risks. They're the historical record of a state that sits in the primary path of Atlantic hurricanes every year.

The Bottom Line on Timing

If you're reading this before March, you have comfortable time. If you're reading this in April or May, you need to move quickly to beat the seasonal backlog. If you're reading this after June 1 and you don't yet have a generator — you're in hurricane season right now, and the window to install before the peak is narrow but still open.