Forecasting a Comeback: Why Meteorologists—and Florida—Want Publix to Bring Back Hurricane Cakes
A Sweet Storm Tradition
Hurricane season in Florida is no joke. Between the bottled water, batteries, and plywood runs, nerves get stretched tight. But once upon a time, Publix gave Floridians a little something to smile about: the Hurricane Cake.
These round cakes, decorated with colorful icing swirls and cheeky storm graphics, became an unexpected cult favorite. They weren’t just desserts—they were symbols of shared humor, resilience, and community spirit in the middle of chaos.
Now, thanks to a fast-growing petition and a chorus of news coverage, people are asking Publix to bring them back.
The Petition Gaining Momentum
A Change.org petition titled Bring Back Publix Hurricane Cakes! has already gathered nearly 31,000 signatures and counting. Organizer Tim Lawler calls the cakes “edible morale boosters”—a small but meaningful comfort during storm prep.
What started as a nostalgic nudge has turned into a statewide movement, showing just how deep these cakes baked themselves into Florida’s culture.
Meteorologists Weigh In
It’s not just everyday shoppers rallying behind the cakes—local meteorologists have chimed in too, showing the lighter side of storm reporting:
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Bill Walsh, a Southwest Florida meteorologist, once shared hurricane cakes from a Citrus County Publix on social media, capturing the playful side of an otherwise serious storm forecast.
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Denis Phillips, a beloved Tampa Bay weatherman, couldn’t resist the humor either:
“The petition for Publix to bring back hurricane cakes cracks me up.”
When the experts who spend their careers tracking hurricanes find joy in these cakes, it says a lot about their role as lighthearted storm companions.
The Policy Storm
So why did they vanish? Publix discontinued the cakes after Hurricane Ian in 2023, citing a policy against making light of natural disasters.
As ClickOrlando reported, this was part of a broader push to avoid products that could be seen as insensitive during crises. And yet, not everyone agreed with the move.
Local shopper Crystal Sprenkel told FOX-35 Orlando:
“I’m a little sad that they’re not making them anymore. They brought a few laughs to our hurricane days. I get why they won’t make them anymore, but it brought us a few laughs!”
The reaction highlights a divide: some see the cakes as inappropriate, while others see them as pure comfort.
Why They Matter
For many Floridians, the Hurricane Cakes weren’t just sugar and frosting. They represented:
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Cultural Identity – Something uniquely Florida that outsiders wouldn’t quite understand.
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Stress Relief – A laugh and a slice of cake before the storm hit.
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Community Bonding – A talking point in grocery aisles and on social media.
In short, they turned anxiety into solidarity.
A Recipe for Their Return
The good news? There may be a path forward. Ideas floating in the community include:
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Reintroducing Hurricane Cakes with proceeds donated to relief funds.
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Keeping the playful icing designs but pairing them with preparedness tips.
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Inviting local meteorologists to help promote them as part of hurricane awareness campaigns.
With the right framing, Publix could turn this quirky dessert into both a morale booster and a force for good.
Call to Action
Floridians know how to laugh through the storm—and Hurricane Cakes were part of that resilience. If you’d like to see them return:
✅ Sign the petition and help push it to 35,000 signatures.
✅ Share your memories using #BringBackTheHurricaneCake.
✅ Encourage Publix to consider a relaunch that blends humor with compassion.
Because when the winds pick up, sometimes the sweetest thing you can have is tradition.