WeatherNation's "Hurricane Preparedness Week" is here from May 26- June 1. Join us as we help you get your plan together, understand the science behind tropical systems, and much more so you can be prepared. Whether you live on the coastline or inland, it is important to know your risks when it comes to tropical systems.  Coastal communities are most at risk of destructive winds, dangerous storm surge, and are more likely to have to evacuate. Communities even hundreds of miles away from coastlines are still at risk, with the threat of high winds, flooding rainfall, severe weather & tornadoes, and the longer-lasting threat of flooding and power outages that could occur days or weeks after a storm hits.

Between Hurricanes Beryl, Helene and Milton, here's a look back at what happened last year:

KNOW YOUR RISKS

After a destructive and dangerous 2024 hurricane season, we are looking ahead to 2025. Hurricane season begins on May 15 for the Eastern Pacific Basin, and on June 1 for the Atlantic basin.

WHAT'S THE FORECAST THIS SEASON? Forecasters from NOAA have issued their 2025 Season Outlook for Atlantic Basin. Early predictions expect this year's hurricane season to be busier than average. This year they anticipate 13-19 named storms, 6-10 of which expected to become hurricanes and 3-5 of those to become major hurricanes (CAT 3 or greater).

This year is expected to be above average thanks to warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic. Although we aren’t expecting the same extreme, record-breaking ocean heat from the last two years. While ENSO Neutral conditions are forecast to develop this summer, La Niña conditions that traditionally support tropical development could sneak back in by the fall. Despite uncertainty, forecasters feel that the lack of El Niño conditions is enough to warrant an active forecast. El Niño means would mean warmer-than-normal water in the central and eastern [tropical] Pacific Ocean. That tends to create more wind shear to tear apart hurricanes in the Atlantic. Because El Niño is not expected to limit development, more hurricanes may form.

While seasonal outlooks give us some idea of what to expect, there is no way to know for certain just what the season will have in store for YOUR area.  Seasonal outlooks cannot forecast exactly when, where, or if storm will strike. Remember, it only takes one to impact your area to become a "bad season".  So, it's important to prepare before a storm threatens.

In preparation for the upcoming season, NOAA's National Hurricane Center is incorporating new tools and processes to keep the public better informed. Here's what's new this season:

LIVE INLAND? YOU AREN'T IMMUNE TO HURRICANES! Even if you live nowhere near a coastline, impacts from tropical systems can still occur. This lesson was learned during Hurricane Helene with historic, catastrophic flooding as far north as North Carolina. Inland rain and water are the deadliest parts of Tropical Storms and the impacts can spread far away from the immediate coastline.

UNDERSTANDING STORM SURGE Along the coast, storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane.  Storm surge has come along with some of the most powerful storms in history.

PREPARE AT HOME

GET YOUR SUPPLY KIT READY Once your know your risks, you should put together an essential hurricane supply kit. There are two types of "kits" you should put together: one if you're sheltering at your home during a storm, and one that you can grab and go should you need to evacuate. Get your supplies ready to shelter at home Click here for a full list of essentials from FEMA 

Additional Helpful Tips: 

• Learn much more and get storm ready by visiting Ready.Gov/Hurricanes

• Make sure your home is Hurricane Ready with IBHS

• Check your insurance coverage. If you are uninsured, apply BEFORE a storm threatens, as it may be too late if you wait

• Sign up for emergency alerts with your local county, city, or town to ensure you are receiving the most up to date information before and during a storm.

• Talk through your emergency plan with your family ahead of hurricane season

• Understand tropical weather terminology

ABOUT THE SCIENCE

We get it. There's A LOT of jargon, phrases, and information that can make understanding tropical cyclones difficult. Understanding the basics may help when a storm threatens.

WATCHES VS. WARNINGS Do you know the difference between a watch and a warning? What about all of the alerts issued during tropical season? Whenever a tropical cyclone (a tropical depression, tropical storm, or hurricane) or a subtropical storm has formed in the Atlantic or eastern North Pacific, the NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues tropical cyclone advisory products at least every 6 hours at 5 am, 11 am, 5 pm, and 11 pm EDT. A WATCH is issued when hurricane, tropical storm or storm surge conditions are expected within 48 hours. A WARNING is issued when life-threatening conditions are expected within 36 hours.

WHAT IS THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE? The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed, with 5 being the highest. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and require preventative measures.  (Source: NHC)

UNDERSTANDING THE FORECAST "CONE" Listening to forecast details can mean the difference between being prepared and caught off guard. Before a storm strikes, you'll often see a forecast "cone" to represent the expected forecast track of a system. The forecast cone represents the probable track of the center of a tropical cyclone. The width of the cone is based on historical forecast error percentage and uncertainty in the forecast. In 2024, NHC released an experimental version of the cone to not just communicate the center track, but to also show the widespread nature of potential impacts. They plan to fine tune and continue to use this concurrently until it becomes the primary forecast.

WHAT PART OF A HURRICANE IS THE MOST POWERFUL? When a hurricane threatens landfall, most often the most impacts will be felt on the "front right quadrant" in relation to the direction of movement. Impacts can and will be felt on all "sides" of a storm, but the threat of highest winds, storm surge, and indirect impacts, such as tornadoes, are often increased in the front right quadrant.

Still have questions? Be sure to watch Hurricane Prep Week on WeatherNation, or get in touch with us on Facebook or X.