Above-normal hurricane season on its way

Get ready to batten down the hatches! The Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1, is expected to be above-normal. That means residents along the East and Gulf coasts could see a lot of storms coming their way.

According to forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center there’s a high likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms, which have winds of 39 mph or higher. As many as nine of those could become hurricanes, and up to four could become major hurricanes.

An average season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, according to NOAA. So this year’s prediction is definitely higher. The 2016 season was also above normal, with seven hurricanes, four of which were major. Residents of North Carolina and other East Coast states will remember Hurricane Matthew in September, which caused 34 deaths and $10 billion in damage in the U.S. alone.

"Regardless of how many storms develop this year, it only takes one to disrupt our lives," said Robert Fenton Jr., acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "Get ready now with these easy, low-cost steps that will leave you better prepared and will make all the difference: Have a family discussion about what you will do, where you will go and how you will communicate with each other when a storm threatens; know your evacuation route; tune into your local news or download the FEMA app to get alerts, and finally, listen to local authorities as a storm approaches.”

With months of possible hurricane threats ahead — the Atlantic season runs through Nov. 30 — you’ll also want to have lots of supplies stored. Make sure your preparedness kit includes a three- to five-day supply of water and non-perishable food, with one gallon of water stored for each person per day. Set aside enough food and water for pets, too.

Your supply kit should also include a first-aid kit, manual can opener, flashlight, batteries, a battery-operated radio, clothing and bedding, copies of important documents, hygiene supplies and hand sanitizer. And don’t forget a battery-operated or solar-powered charger for your cellphone.

For more tips, check out our Get Ready hurricanes fact sheet.

Photo: A downed palm tree in Brownsville, Texas, shows the strength of Hurricane Dolly in July 2008. Photo courtesy FEMA/Jacinta Quesad