Hurricane Season Runs from June 1 to November 30

It’s important for people in hurricane-prone areas to prepare for the season.

This includes having a hurricane plan, an emergency supply kit, and staying informed about the latest warnings and advisories.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be above average, with 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.
The official season begins on June 1, 2024, and ends on November 30, 2024.
Experts warn that conditions could create a “perfect storm” for hurricane formation due to:

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Record warm ocean temperatures:

Sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic are already 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2 degrees Fahrenheit) above normal.

La Niña:

This climate phenomenon is expected to shift to La Niña during the peak of hurricane season, reducing wind shear and favoring hurricane formation.
This combination of factors increases the risk of significant storms affecting the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Here are some resources for more information on the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): https://www.noaa.gov/
National Hurricane Center: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Tropical Storm Risk (TSR): https://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/

It’s important for people in areas prone to hurricanes to prepare for the season.
This includes having a hurricane plan, an emergency supply kit, and staying informed about the latest warnings and advisories.

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Make a plan.

The hurricane season begins on May 15 in the northern Pacific area and on June 1 in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. It ends on November 30.
Before hurricane season starts each year, make sure you and your family are prepared by planning ahead.
Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them on the refrigerator or near every phone in the house. Also, program them into your cell phone.

Prepare an emergency supply kit.

Locate the nearest shelter and the different routes you can take to get there from your home. If shelters have not been identified for your area, find out how to locate them in case of a storm.

Pet owners:

Identify in advance a shelter or hotel that accepts animals, or a friend or relative in another city where you can take your pets in case of evacuation. Local animal shelters may be able to advise you on what to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home.

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Gather emergency supplies.

During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane can disrupt water and power supplies. Additionally, the storm may damage your car, making it unusable. Streets could be flooded or blocked.
That’s why it’s best to be prepared: stock up now on everything you might need. Make sure to prepare the following:
A supply of emergency food and water.
An emergency supply of medications.
Emergency power sources, such as flashlights (don’t forget to have extra batteries).
Safety and personal items.
Important documents, including medical records, wills, passports, and personal identification.
A fire extinguisher. Make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it! Read the National Fire Protection Association’s tips on how to use fire extinguishers.

Know the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning.

Stay alert for alerts issued by the National Weather Service on television or radio, or look for information online. There are two types of alerts:
Hurricane watches indicate that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour [mph] or higher) are possible in a specific area. Experts issue hurricane watches 48 hours before tropical-storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected.
Hurricane warnings are more serious. They mean that hurricane-force winds are expected in a specific area. Experts issue them 36 hours before these winds are expected in the area to give people enough time to prepare for the storm.
For more information on hurricane watches and warnings, visit the National Weather Service Hurricane Center’s website. If you learn that there is a hurricane watch or warning in your area, you can take steps to prepare.

Prepare your car.

Make sure your car is ready before the storm arrives.
Fill the gas tank.
Store cars and trucks inside the garage or under cover.
Always keep an emergency kit in your car.
Visit Ready.gov for information on how to prepare your car and what to include in the kit.
If you don’t have a car, consider making plans with friends or family, or call authorities to arrange a pickup if you need to evacuate.

Prepare your family and pets.

Review your emergency plan with your family.
Continuously check for updated storm information. Watch TV, listen to the radio, or look online.
Call the hospital, public health department, or police if you have special needs. If you or a loved one is elderly or has a disability and may not be able to leave quickly, seek advice on what to do.
Place pets and farm animals in a safe location. Learn more about pet safety during an emergency.

Prepare your home.

Clear your yard. Make sure there is nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. Store bicycles, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building materials indoors or in a sheltered area.
Cover doors and windows. Close storm shutters or nail plywood over the outside window frames to protect them. This can help protect you from broken glass shards.
Be prepared to turn off the electricity. If your home floods, you see downed power lines, or you must leave your home, turn off the electricity.
Fill clean water containers with drinking water. It’s recommended to do this in case the water supply is cut off during the storm. You can also fill sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.
Check the battery on your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Be prepared to evacuate or stay in your home.

Always listen to authorities about whether to evacuate or stay in your home.
If a hurricane is approaching, you may be ordered to evacuate (leave your home). Never ignore an evacuation order. Even sturdy, well-built homes may not withstand a hurricane’s force. It’s not worth staying and risking your health and safety to protect your property.
You may also be ordered to stay home. If driving conditions are dangerous, staying home may be safer than leaving.

If you must evacuate your home:

Bring your emergency supply kit and only what you truly need, such as your cell phone, charger, ID (e.g., passport or driver’s license), medications, and cash.
Unplug appliances. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
Follow the routes recommended by emergency workers, even if there is traffic. Other routes may be blocked or flooded. Never drive through a flooded area: water currents as shallow as 6 inches deep can stall or sweep away cars and other vehicles.
Contact your local emergency management office and ask if they have pet-friendly shelters. Learn more about how to evacuate your home with your pet.

If you need to stay in your home:

Keep your emergency supply kit in an easily accessible location.
Listen to the radio or watch TV to stay informed about the hurricane.
Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, do not go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane has passed. Sometimes, the weather calms in the middle of the storm but quickly becomes severe again.
Stay away from windows to avoid injury from broken glass or debris blown by the wind. Stay in a room without windows or go into a closet.
Be prepared to leave. If emergency authorities order you to leave or your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

Written by

Federico Rodriguez

1,592 stories published

Writes for El Hispano Para Todos, the newspaper of the Latino community of Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast.

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