The official start to the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season is less than a month away, beginning on June 1. To encourage individuals and communities in areas that can be impacted by hurricanes to start preparing themselves for these potential storms the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced May 5 to 11 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. As part of this campaign, multiple preparedness and resilience resources are being shared to help communities plan for potential impacts.
Experts forecast an “extremely active” season, with early outlooks indicating there could be a near-record number of storms this year. Forecasters are calling for as many as 25 named storms with four to six having a direct impact on the U.S. For instance, WeatherTiger’s Hurricane Watch vlandfall risk model predicts a 55% chance the 2024 season’s impacts to the continental U.S. will be in the upper third of impacts out of all hurricane seasons recorded since 1900. In a statement released by the White House, President Biden said, “as we approach hurricane season, every American can take steps to plan, prepare, and better protect their families and homes. Review emergency plans and insurance policies and make sure they are up to date. Store important documents in a secure and accessible place, learn local evacuation routes, and prepare an emergency kit.”
NOAA and the National Weather Service (NWS) have compiled a compendium of resources and guidance to help infrastructure organizations and individuals prepare for hurricane season. Find out more at NOAA, NWS, the White House, and the American Red Cross.
Additional Resources:
- EPA – Incident Action Checklist – Hurricane
- EPA – Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities
- CISA – Extreme Weather and Climate Change
In addition, WeatherTiger Co-founder, President, and Chief Meteorologist Dr. Ryan Truchelut will join WaterISAC for its next Water Sector Natural Disaster Threat Briefing, scheduled for Wednesday, May 15 from 2 to 3 pm. During this briefing, which will focus on preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season, Dr. Truchelut will provide an overview of WeatherTiger’s 2024 forecast. Register here.
