July is a unique month in the Atlantic hurricane season. It can be a forgiving month for the U.S., a month when storms begin to form farther away, temporarily lessening the risk closer to home.
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It’s also a month when the odds of a hurricane become a little higher, reminding us the heart of hurricane season is right around the corner.
July is a transition month across the Atlantic and, as we’ve written in previous newsletters, might be your best month to avoid a summer vacation cancellation along U.S. shorelines.
Any month of hurricane season is fair game for storm threats, but the risk ramps up quickly in August and September.
Historically Texas and Florida, while still the most at-risk states for tropical systems due to their extensive coastlines, see a slight bump down in tropical storm and hurricane impacts in July when compared to June.
Texas in particular tends to face a lower overall risk of tropical impacts in July – the month it’s recorded fewer hurricane landfalls than any other month from June to September – but the risk of hurricanes in Texas doubles historically when August rolls around - the month the “Lone Star State” is most likely to see a hurricane hit.
Some hurricane supplies could soon be permanently tax-free for Floridians
Even during early months like June and July when the threat is slightly lower from an historical perspective, destructive storms can hit (see Beryl last July that walloped the Houston metro), so use quiet periods like the one we’re experiencing to your advantage.
Floridians have grown accustomed to the state’s twice-yearly disaster preparedness sales tax holiday – typically once at the beginning of the hurricane season and another later in the season.
These two-week periods are great opportunities to stock up on hurricane supplies without having to pay sales tax.
Items like batteries, smoke detectors, waterproof tarps, and portable generators are usually included.
With the 2026 budget passed by the Florida legislature late Monday night, the sales tax exemption on some disaster preparedness items could become permanent as soon as July 1, assuming the Governor signs off on the spending plan.
Though the permanent tax cuts would cover some hurricane supplies, other items typically covered in past sales tax holidays like pet supplies, flashlights, lanterns, and non-electric coolers are not covered in the tax cut bill.
Roughly 9% of the $1.3 billion tax cut package is slated for the permanent elimination of sales tax for qualifying disaster preparedness items.
No immediate threats in the wake of Erick
As officials in Mexico work to assess the damage from powerful Erick that struck parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero on Thursday, the Pacific looks to take a breather, at least through the weekend.
Meanwhile the Atlantic will keep its stormless streak alive, with forecast models continuing to advertise inhospitable conditions across the western Atlantic over the upcoming weeks.
CLICK HERE to download the Local 10 Weather Authority’s 2025 hurricane survival guide.
