Get Ready for the Season During Hurricane Preparedness Week

As the start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is quickly approaching, the National Weather Service has designated May 5-11 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. During this week, people and businesses are strongly encouraged to identify their hurricane-related risks, develop or update response plans, and gather any needed supplies.

Forecasters are expecting a significant amount of storm activity throughout the 2024 hurricane season. According to the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Weather and Climate Research Center, 2024 is expected to have 170% of the average hurricane activity compared to the seasons between 1991 and 2020.

CSU's April outlook predicts the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is most likely to be an active, above-average season with a total of 23 named storms, with 11 of these storms that could become hurricanes and five with a high probability of becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or above).

The outlook also includes the probability of major hurricanes making landfall this year:

• 62% for the entire U.S. coastline (average from 1880-2020 is 43%)
• 34% for the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula (average from 1880-2020 is 21%)
• 42% for the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville (average from 1880-2020 is 27%)
• 66% for the Caribbean (average from 1880-2020 is 47%)

For a complete breakdown of landfall probabilities broken out by county, state and country, visit the report here.

CSU reminds all residents and businesses in their forecast, "As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them."

Additionally, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced new changes to the forecast and tracking graphic, known as the "cone." Beginning on or around Aug.15, 2024, NHC will begin issuing an experimental version of the cone graphic that will now include inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings. Previously, the cone graphic only showed watches and warnings for these storms along the coastline of the affected areas.

Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Now is the time to prepare your business and home for severe weather. For further hurricane preparedness resources and information, visit the NAHB Disaster Resources Toolkit or contact Jonathan Falk.