Officials Urge Preparedness as Hurricane Season 2023 Kicks Off

With the start of summer season, also comes the start of hurricane season. 

June 1 marks the official start of hurricane season, lasting until the end of November. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its annual projections for the 2023 hurricane season, predicting a near-normal hurricane season. 

However, an expected near-normal season does not equal a walk in the park. NOAA found a 40% chance of a near-normal hurricane season, while both above and below normal each had a 30% chance. Overall, NOAA forecasters are predicting 5-9 hurricane-level storms during the 2023 season. 

The NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard both urge people in potentially affected areas to prepare for the future. 

An emergency kit filled with water, food, first-aid supplies, flashlights, and a radio is highly recommended. Some sort of communication device is recommended in the event cell services go down. More information can be found at ready.gov. 

Staying aware is also key. Keeping an eye on the weather and announcements from local officials can help stay prepared. 

For those with boats, make sure in the event of an oncoming storm you can strap down the boat ashore. If your boat is at a marina, check for its hurricane procedure.