Before hurricane season, have your lift serviced, test its battery lowering and, for any elevator whose cab could descend below the base flood elevation, confirm it has a float switch, which FEMA says ASME A17.1 requires. When a storm is coming, park the elevator on an upper floor, charge the stair lift on its charging point and stop using lifts once water starts rising.
Before hurricane season
- Book a service. Ask the technician to test the battery lowering, the door locks and the alarm.
- Check the float switch. FEMA says a float switch or equal system is required under ASME A17.1 for any elevator whose cab could descend below the base flood elevation.[1]
- Know your zones. Look up your flood zone on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and your evacuation zone on Know Your Zone.[3][4]
- Register if you may need help. Florida's Division of Emergency Management offers a Special Needs Registry for people with disabilities.[5]
- Outdoor lifts in Miami-Dade and Broward: check that enclosures and doors are in good repair; these counties are in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.[6]
When a storm is coming
| Lift | What to do |
|---|---|
| Home elevator | Park on a floor above expected flood level; follow the maker's shutdown advice |
| Hydraulic elevator | Confirm battery descent will not lower the car into a floodable pit |
| Stair lift | Park on the charging point and charge fully; stair lifts include a back-up battery |
| Outdoor platform lift | Raise or park as the maker advises; fit covers |
FEMA explains that most elevator controls stop the cab when power is lost, which could leave it below the flood level, and that some hydraulic elevators lower themselves to the lowest landing on battery.[1] That is why parking high before the storm matters.
After the storm
- Do not use an elevator that may have taken in water. Call for a service check first.
- Check outdoor lifts for debris, damaged covers and wet controls before use.
- Recharge stair lift batteries fully once power returns.
What this means for you
Ten minutes of planning before June saves a lot of worry in September. Put the parking floor, the service number and the battery check on your family's storm list.
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Frequently asked questions
Where should I park my home elevator during a hurricane?
On a floor above the expected flood level, with the doors closed. Then leave it switched as the maker advises.
Will my stair lift work without power?
Battery stair lifts keep running for a number of trips in a short power cut if they are parked on the charger beforehand.
Is there a special shelter registry?
Florida's Division of Emergency Management runs a Special Needs Registry for people who may need help in an emergency.
Sources
- NFIP Technical Bulletin 4: Elevator Installation for Buildings Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (June 2019), FEMA. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Stairlift Installation Cost (national cost guide, updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Know Your Zone, Know Your Home, Florida Division of Emergency Management. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Access and Functional Needs Planning (Florida Special Needs Registry), Florida Division of Emergency Management. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Product Control brochure: Ensuring Strict Standards for Construction Materials, Miami-Dade County. Accessed October 27, 2026.
