Hurricane season will be busy, experts say
Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, said he anticipated a busy hurricane season and urged people to start preparing.
The National Hurricane Center monitored a low-pressure trough off the Atlantic coast of northern Florida on Monday, July 14, saying it could cause heavy rain to the area, as well as some Gulf states.
A predictor at the Hurricane Center said the trough is currently producing disturbed showers and thunderstorms in Florida, the Bahamas in the northwest and adjacent Atlantic waters.
“The system is expected to move west across Florida the following day or so, and west to the Bay by late Tuesday,” the Hurricane Center said on July 14, with environmental conditions favorable enough to support the progressive development of the system.”
“Regardless of development, heavy rain could cause local flash floods to light parts of Florida and parts of the Northern Gulf from central to late this week,” the Hurricane Forecaster said.
Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1st and continues until the end of November.
Aggressive hurricane weather usually peaks between mid-August and mid-October.
Atlantic Storm Tracker
This predicted track shows the most likely path in the center of the storm. The full width of the storm or its impact is not shown, and the storm center can move out of the cone for up to 33% of the time.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes originate in the tropical regions above warm waters. Thunderstorm clusters can develop across the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are correct, clusters are swirling into tropical waves and storms known as tropical depression.
Tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm when its sustained wind speed reaches 39 mph. When the wind reaches 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Get ready for a hurricane now
Potentially delaying preparations for salvation can mean waiting until it’s too late. “Get disaster supply while the shelves are still in stock and flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, so get that insurance inspection early,” NOAA recommends.
- Establish an evacuation plan: If you are at risk of a hurricane, you will need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to plan where you will go and how you will get there.
- Assemble disaster supply: Whether you’re evacuating or evacuating, you’ll need supplies not only to get through the storm, but also for the potentially long aftermath.
- Get an insurance inspection and document your property: Contact your insurance company or agent now to ask for an insurance inspection and make sure you have sufficient insurance to repair or replace your home or belongings. Remember that home insurance and tenant insurance don’t cover floods, so you’ll need a separate insurance for that. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or through your national flood insurance program. Flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, so take action now.
- Create a family communication plan: NOAA said he took the time to write down your hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine where family gatherings are to be located and include out-of-town locations in the event of evacuation.
- It strengthens your home: Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand the effects of a hurricane. Trim the wood; attach storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass. Seal the wall opening.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can follow him with X @geuna Alternatively, email him at gdhauari@gannett.com.
