Parking during severe weather in Florida: Where to keep your car safe in Miami during a hurricane or tropical storm. What residents should know.
When hurricane season strikes, it’s hard not to picture the iconic “cars floating in water” scenario.
That effect typically occurs due to storm surge.
Residents in South Florida, which usually has the highest hurricane potential, know to move their vehicle to higher ground, if possible.
In the event of flood threats − aside from tropical storms or hurricanes − cities in South Florida may allow residents to park for free in select public garages, although proof of residency is frequently required.
But as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season nears, many Floridians are bracing for the storm, and that includes buying a hurricane preparedness kit, getting the hurricane shutters out of the garage, and/or devising what to do with your car.
Countdown clock: How many days until hurricane season starts?
Keep reading for more information on where to park in Miami in the event of a flood threat such as a hurricane.
When is 2026 hurricane season in Florida?
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov. 30 every year, with August, September and October being the most active months, particularly in Florida. In several years past, however, hurricane season has started early, with tropical systems named as early as April or May.
In addition to building damage or palm trees that bend from strong wind, the image of car tops peeking through floodwaters has become synonymous with Florida hurricanes.
Photos of hurricane damage, flooded cars in Florida
If there’s a hurricane in Miami, Florida, some public garages will be open to protect cars from floods
Those living in low-lying areas could see their homes flood in the event of a tropical storm – but there are ways to mitigate damages.
For instance, while you can’t uproot and move your entire property, you and your family can evacuate, and you can move your vehicle to higher ground. In the event of flood threats, cities in South Florida may allow residents to park for free in select public garages, although proof of residency is frequently required.
The city of Miami Beach, for one, is located in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, according to the city government. It provides qualifying residents – those with properties on streets where the elevation is low enough to experience flooding from King Tides – with free temporary parking accommodations at three of its municipal parking facilities. Residents must register, and will receive a notification via email when a flood event is “activated.”
Miami and Miami Beach allow residents to park free during floods. How to apply
For GPS and web searches, here are the addresses of participating parking garages:
- Garage 1 at 200 7th St., Miami Beach, FL 33139
- Garage 9 at 500 17th St., Miami Beach, FL 33139
- Garage 6 at 400 W. 42nd St., Miami Beach, FL 33140
The city of Miami and Miami Parking jointly offer a similar initiative – the hurricane parking program – which allows residents and employees of the city of Miami to park one vehicle per household in select garages during flood events.
Participating garages for that include:
- College Station Garage, 190 NE 3rd St., Miami, FL 33132
- Knight Center Garage, 100 SE 1st St., Miami, FL 33131
- Regatta Harbour Garage, 3351 Pan American Drive, Miami, FL 33133
Applications for the hurricane parking program are open year-round, but anyone interested must provide either proof of residency or employment – utility bills, vehicle registration and city of Miami employee badges are all acceptable forms of documentation, according to the MPA’s website.
Registration for the program expires one year from the date it was initiated, and must be renewed on a rolling basis to maintain access. If there’s a storm or flood alert, the program could be activated “at the discretion of the CEO of the Miami Parking Authority,” but is guaranteed to be activated once the National Hurricane Center or Emergency Operations Center issues a hurricane watch, according to the MPA.
Will my car at a Miami parking garage be accessible during a Florida tropical storm or hurricane?
Once a hurricane warning is issued, all MPA facilities will be shut down until the Emergency Operations Center deems them safe to reopen. So while your car may be safe from flood threat, it may not be accessible.
How much does parking cost in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida?
Normally, hourly rates for parking vary in Miami and Miami Beach, Florida, usually depending on the time and day of the week. Parking garage rates in Miami Beach can range from $2 an hour to $20 for 15 hours. In the event of an emergency such as a tropical storm or hurricane in the Miami-Dade County area, parking fees can be waived.
If you do live in a low-lying area that’s prone to flooding, it may be safer to evacuate entirely if there’s a severe weather threat. The Florida Division of Emergency Management maintains a website to help you determine whether you live in an evacuation zone – just click the link and enter your address.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Find a USA TODAY Network newspaper near you.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
