Hurricane Season Fuel Checklist for Florida Businesses
Seasonal Context
Florida's Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with peak activity between August 15 and October 15. For businesses that depend on backup generators, fuel supply during and after a hurricane is not a convenience — it is an operational necessity that requires advance planning.
The window to secure fuel supply closes rapidly as a storm approaches. Forty-eight hours before landfall, fuel terminals begin closing, tanker trucks are pulled off roads, and delivery capacity drops to zero. Businesses that have not pre-arranged their fuel supply by that point are dependent on post-storm recovery — which can take 3-7 days in the worst-hit areas.
This checklist covers everything a Florida business needs to do before June 1 and in the critical 72-hour window before a storm makes landfall.
Your Checklist
Inventory all generator fuel requirements
Calculate the gallons needed for 96 hours of continuous runtime for every generator on your property. A 100 kW generator burns approximately 7-8 gallons/hour — that is 700+ gallons for 96 hours.
Fill all generator tanks to 95% before June 1
Start hurricane season with full tanks. Do not wait for a named storm to top off — by then, every other business is trying to do the same thing and supply is constrained.
Establish a fuel delivery priority agreement
Contact your fuel provider and confirm you are on their priority customer list for hurricane response. BettyJet offers Priority 1 status with guaranteed 4-hour response for healthcare, water treatment, and critical infrastructure.
Test all generators under load
Run every generator at full load for a minimum of 2 hours to verify operation. Check fuel lines, filters, transfer switches, and automatic start systems. A generator that fails during a hurricane is worse than no generator.
Pre-position portable fuel containers
Keep 50-100 gallons of diesel in approved portable containers for small generators, pumps, and vehicles. Store in a cool, shaded location away from building interiors.
Document alternate fuel delivery routes
Work with your fuel provider to identify alternate access routes to your facility. Primary roads may be blocked by debris, flooding, or downed power lines after a storm.
Verify fuel quality in long-term storage tanks
Diesel fuel that has been sitting for 6+ months should be tested for microbial growth and water contamination. Treat with biocide and stabilizer. Bad fuel in a generator during a hurricane is a disaster within a disaster.
Create a 72-hour pre-storm activation checklist
When a storm is 72 hours from landfall: top off all tanks, confirm delivery priority with provider, test generators one more time, verify fuel quality, and brief staff on generator operations.
Secure fuel storage against storm damage
Anchor above-ground tanks to concrete pads. Remove loose items near tanks that could become projectiles. Verify containment berms are intact and drains are closed.
Post-storm fuel plan
Plan for 3-7 days of generator-dependent operation post-storm. Calculate total fuel requirements for that period and confirm your provider's post-storm delivery commitment and timeline.
Planning Timeline
Fill all tanks, test generators, verify fuel quality, establish priority agreements
Top off all tanks, confirm provider priority, final generator test, brief staff
Final delivery window — accept any available fuel, secure tanks, shelter fuel trucks
Assess damage, contact fuel provider, prioritize generator runtime for critical systems
Receive emergency fuel deliveries, manage generator runtime to conserve fuel
How BettyJet Helps
BettyJet activates its hurricane preparedness protocol every year on May 15 — two weeks before the official season starts. We pre-stage fuel inventory at inland storage locations, confirm alternate delivery routes for every customer, and lock in Priority 1 response commitments for healthcare and critical infrastructure customers.
During active storms, BettyJet's operations team monitors the National Hurricane Center and begins customer outreach 96 hours before projected landfall. We top off all scheduled customer tanks, confirm emergency contact numbers, and pre-position delivery trucks outside the projected impact zone for rapid post-storm deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gallons of generator fuel should a business store for hurricane season?
Calculate 96 hours of continuous runtime at full load for every generator. A 100 kW diesel generator consumes approximately 7-8 gallons/hour, requiring 700-800 gallons for 96 hours. A 500 kW unit needs 3,500-4,000 gallons. Add 20% buffer for extended outages.
When is the last opportunity to get fuel delivered before a hurricane?
Most fuel terminals and delivery services shut down 24-36 hours before projected landfall due to safety protocols and road closures. Your last reliable delivery window is 48-72 hours before landfall. After that, supply is extremely limited and pricing spikes.
How quickly can BettyJet deliver fuel after a hurricane passes?
BettyJet commits to 4-hour response for Priority 1 customers (hospitals, water treatment, emergency services) once roads are passable. Standard customers receive delivery within 12-24 hours of road clearance. We pre-position trucks outside the projected impact zone to minimize post-storm deployment time.
Plan Ahead with BettyJet
Tell us your fuel type, volume, and delivery location. We'll match you with the best supplier and return a quote in under 30 minutes.