If It’s June, the Atlantic hurricane season is now underway. Here’s what to know
It’s time to get your plans in place – the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season is underway
Forecasters are predicting a “near-normal” season. However, Mike Brennan, the new director at the National Hurricane Center in Miami, stressed during a Wednesday news conference that there’s really nothing normal when it comes to hurricanes.
“A normal season might sound good in comparison to some of the hurricane seasons in the past few years,” he said. “But there’s nothing good about a near-normal hurricane season in terms of activity.”
WILL THE 2023 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON BE BUSY? Well… Maybe!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted in late May a 40% chance of 2023 being a near-normal hurricane season, a 30% chance of an above-average season, which has more storms than usual, and a 30% chance of a below-normal season, which has fewer.
“So we’re expecting a busy season with 12 to 17 named storms,” Brennan said, adding that five to nine of those storms could become hurricanes, with one to four growing into major hurricanes.
“It only takes one storm affecting your area to make it a busy season for you,” he said.
WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON?
It seems that more storms are being pushed inland – its not just the coast now.
WHAT IS THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY’S ROLE?
FEMA Director Deanne Criswell said her agency is working to protect residents in hurricane zones by getting them the “critical information that they need” and making it easier for people to apply for help.
She said the summer doesn’t just bring the start of hurricane season, but it’s also the beginning of wildfire season.
“So we are in the summer season of severe weather events, but I think as many of you know, it’s not just a summer season of severe weather anymore,” she said, noting weather-related events take place throughout the year.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE WORST HURRICANES TO HIT THE UNITED STATES?
Hurricane Andrew [ August 1992 ] struck south of Miami, crossing Florida and making a second landfall in Louisiana.. The Category 5 storm destroyed more than 65,000 houses.
Hurricane Katrina, which struck Louisiana as a Category 3 storm in August 2005, still ranks as one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the United States. Katrina caused about 1,400 deaths and produced catastrophic damage along the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Harvey struck Louisiana before slamming into Houston as a Category 4 storm in 2017, causing severe flooding. Harvey killed more than 80 people, including 50 in the Houston area.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Katrina and Harvey are listed as the two costliest U.S. hurricanes on record with total costs over $160 billion and $125 billion, respectively.
Hurricane “IAN” and the Bergen County NJ ‘Surprise”
The remnants of Hurricane “IAN” caused surprising and serious damage in Bergen County NJ Homes in Fort Lee (about 300ft above Sea Level) had flood damage from the heavy rain runoff. It CAN happen here!
Insurance Head Up:
Get your insurance Up To Date – review important items like:
- Amount of insurance – increase now : Once a storm is in play companies suspend binding “..once they know you need it – they won’t sell it to you!!”
- Deductibles – some policies have specific ‘Hurricane Deductibles’ Usually a % of the amount of the loss but with a minimum flat amount
- Prepare by making repairs and doing maintenance
- REMEMBER: Before and right after a storm building materials are in short supply and prices go up. Do what you can to mitigate possible losses
- FLOOD FLOOD FLOOD! The only thing that pays for flood damage is FLOOD INSURANCE – Buy it, NOW
Call us for a review & discussion BEFORE the “Bad Thing” happens.
PJ