How busy is this hurricane season?

Hello and welcome to the AP Climate Watch newsletter. I am Natalia Gutiérrez , Climate Engagement Manager at AP. Today I’m writing about storms, how active this hurricane season will be and what you can do to protect yourself.

Hurricane season is here. Forecasters?had predicted the 2024 season will be one of the?busiest Atlantic hurricane seasons on record? due to unprecedented ocean heat.

After Beryl became the first-ever Category 4 hurricane to form in June, they are now expecting something like the record-busy year of 1933 , and deadly 2005 –the year of Katrina, ?Rita, Wilma and Dennis.

Scientists are debating what exactly?climate change does to hurricanes, but they agree it makes storms more likely to rapidly intensify.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted between 17 and 25 named storms. Their forecast includes as many as 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven of them hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

This summer’s record heat nationwide means earlier storms. Hurricane season typically runs June 1 to Nov. 30, with the most hurricanes usually hitting in September and October, said Jaime Hernandez, the emergency management director for Hollywood, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast.

“That’s a little bit different this year because of the reality we’re dealing with global warming, warmer sea surface temperatures, atmosphere conditions that are more favorable to tropical cyclone development,” Hernandez said. “It could develop at any time.”

Hurricane Beryl ’s formation in the Atlantic Ocean in June as a Category 4 was abnormally early. Beryl was also the earliest storm to rapidly intensify with wind speeds jumping 63 mph (102 kph) in 24 hours, going from an unnamed depression to a Category 4 in 48 hours.

Hurricanes often drive major flooding, which FEMA has called?the most common disaster ?in the United States. Since 2011, FEMA handed out more than $41 billion in aid following hurricanes, the most of any disaster type.

So, how does one prepare for the threat of a hurricane? You can do a few things.

Hernandez, the emergency management director, said his team encourages people to do three key things : make a plan, have an emergency kit and stay informed.

• Get supplies in advance, including nonperishable foods and water.
• Include medical items and medications you or your family will need.
• Some examples of supplies are flashlights, batteries, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and portable power banks. It’s also a good idea to have cash on hand.
• Keep documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and other important papers in a go-bag.

If you live in a low-lying or flood-prone area you should plan on evacuating prior to the storm’s arrival.

Do you have questions about hurricanes? Let us know in the comments.

Check out all our climate coverage here .

Here’s what else you need to know

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?? The Galapagos Islands and many of their unique creatures are at risk from warming waters

? Climate Solutions

The federal government is giving more than a half-billion dollars to coastal communities to help them use nature-based preventive measures to address climate-related flooding and other disasters.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced it is allocating $575 million to 19 resiliency projects in several states, with a particular emphasis on Native American, urban and traditionally underserved communities that experience repeated floods, wildfires and other weather-related disasters. Read the full story here .

Thank you for reading this newsletter. We’ll be back next week. For questions, suggestions or ideas please email [email protected]

This newsletter was written and produced by climate engagement manager Natalia Gutiérrez , and edited by Doug Glass, an editor for climate and environment.

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