Unfortunately, our annual storm warning reminder comes a little late for many parts of the southwest that are already having a Spring with higher than expected rainfall. But for those people who are living in coastal areas or affected by coastal weather, we wanted to remind you that June 1
st began the start of the 6-month 2015 Atlantic hurricane season.
The good news is that, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting that the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season will be below-normal.
What does this mean? A "below-normal" hurricane season means that for the next 6-months, NOAA is predicting a 70 percent chance of 6 to 11 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher (as compared to 8 to 13 named storms last year). Of these named storms, 3 to 6 storms could develop into hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher and include up to 2 major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or higher.
However, as noted by NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D., “A below-normal season doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. As we’ve seen before [referring to the 1992 Category 5 hurricane Andrew that hit South Florida], below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities,”
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Outlook:NOAA’s 2015 outlook for the Eastern Pacific hurricane basin, is for a
70 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season. That outlook
calls for a 70 percent probability of 15-22 named storms, of which 7-12
are expected to become hurricanes, including 5-8 major hurricanes. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15th and, like the Atlantic hurricane season, also ends November 30th.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Outlook:NOAA’s 2015 outlook for
the Central Pacific hurricane basin, is for a 70 percent
chance of an above-normal season with 5-8 tropical cyclones likely. The Central Pacific hurricane season, like the Atlantic hurricane season, begins June 1st and ends November 30th.
Are you prepared? If you would like to learn how to prepare for the 2015 hurricane season, take a look at the suggestions provided on the NOAA Hurricane Preparedness site:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php.
- Educate yourself: Learn about your community’s emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and location of emergency shelters.
- Be aware of potential home hazards: Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water or a fallen power line, or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable materials (building material, grills, and propane tanks).
- Own a fire extinguisher: Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it. If you have an older extinguisher (over a year old), be sure that it is still functional and inspected by a professional.
- Secure important documents: Locate and secure your important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, and stock certificates.
- Collect contact information: Post emergency phone numbers at every telephone or save the number in your mobile phone. Some examples of important numbers include your insurance agent, local hospitals, local utilities, local law enforcement, and fire/rescue.
- Do you have special needs? Inform local authorities if your household includes someone with special needs (such as, bed-ridden or disabled).
- Prepare a disaster supply kit: Stock your home, car, and workplace with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period (such as, food, water, prescriptions, and non-prescription medications). You should stock food and water for a minimum of a three-day period. If you are diabetic, be sure to have a means to keep your medications cool while traveling or during a power outage (such as a well-insulated mini-cooler). If you have a pet, look now for a pet-friendly shelter and have pet supplies ready. The government's (http://www.ready.gov/kit) Basic Disaster Supplies Kit includes:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger