Pool Storm Prep Timeline
Follow this step-by-step timeline to protect your pool, equipment, and property before a storm hits.
How to Read the New 2026 Hurricane Cone in Central Florida
For the 2026 hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center’s standard forecast-cone graphic now includes tropical-storm and hurricane watches and warnings for inland areas—not only coastal locations. That makes the map more useful for Orlando and other Central Florida communities that may face damaging wind even when a storm approaches from either Florida coast.
The most important limitation has not changed:
What Central Florida pool owners should look for
- Inland watches and warnings: Check whether your home is inside a tropical-storm or hurricane watch or warning area, even when it is outside the white cone.
- Local forecasts and alerts: Follow the National Weather Service, local emergency management, and county or city alerts for wind, rainfall, flooding, tornado, and lightning information.
- Preparation timing: Do not wait for the forecast center line to point directly at Orlando. Bring in loose pool and patio items, document the pool and equipment, and finish outdoor preparation before conditions become unsafe.
- More than one graphic: Use the cone together with wind-arrival, rainfall, warning, and local-impact information. No single map shows every hazard.
Operational cone versus experimental cone
NHC is also publishing a separate experimental cone during 2026. The experimental version uses ellipses and represents a wider range of possible forecast-center tracks than the operational cone. It is being issued for testing and feedback and may be delayed or temporarily unavailable. CFPG recommends treating the standard operational cone, official watches and warnings, local National Weather Service forecasts, and emergency-management instructions as the primary decision tools.
Bottom line: For an inland Central Florida home, being outside the cone does not mean being outside the danger. Use official local warnings and finish pool preparation before wind, lightning, or flooding makes outdoor work unsafe.
Sources: NOAA/National Hurricane Center — 2026 forecast-cone update; NHC definition and usage guidance.
- Photograph your pool, equipment, and enclosure for insurance records
- Inspect screen panel fasteners and screws for looseness
- Address any sagging or torn screens before storm season if you can
- Secure or bring in pool furniture, floats, and loose deck items
- Remove loose items from inside the screen enclosure
- Clear loose furniture and equipment stored under the cage
- Shut off and, if advised for your area, cover or secure equipment
- Super-chlorinate (shock) the pool a day or two ahead of landfall for sanitation — but if you may need to lower or discharge water before the storm, check local discharge requirements (Orange County guidance is especially relevant for Orlando-area pools) before adding extra chlorine or salt
- Never fully drain the pool. If the water is already high and significant rain is forecast, lower it only a small amount to make room for rainfall, never below the pool’s safe operating range, and follow local discharge rules or guidance for your specific pool
- Wait for an official all-clear before going outside
- Check for downed lines or debris hazards before approaching the pool
- Check breakers and GFCI outlets before powering anything back on
- Rebalance chemistry once the system is running again — watch for cloudy or green water in the first 48 hours
Never fully drain the pool — an empty shell can pop out of the ground from groundwater pressure, especially after heavy rain.