Updated June 2026, original article published June 2020.
NOAA's 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook predicts a below-normal season, driven largely by a developing El Niño pattern. Forecasters are calling for between eight and fourteen named storms, with three to six becoming hurricanes. But "below-normal" is not the same as "no risk." Last year's 2025 season is a good reminder of that: though it produced fewer storms than average, it also generated three Category 5 hurricanes (the second-highest total on record) including Hurricane Melissa, which caused catastrophic destruction across Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas.
The strength of a hurricane's winds determines its intensity, and hurricanes can have different intensities and levels of damage. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale categorizes hurricane severity on a scale from 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (most intense). Regardless of whether an impending hurricane is Cat 1 or Cat 5, if you live in affected areas, you will need to prepare for hurricane season in order to weather the storm.
From the Tempest article The Hurricane Ranking System, Explained
Read on to learn a few ways to prepare for hurricane season.
1. Keep emergency supplies on hand
The United States Department of Homeland Security has created a website, www.ready.gov, where visitors can learn more about putting together a disaster supplies kit. This kit can be useful for hurricanes and other severe weather events that may happen where you live.
Ready.gov's basic emergency supplies kit includes the essentials you'll want on hand before a storm arrives:
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Cell phone chargers and a portable power bank
- Prescription medications and any other health essentials
- Basic hygiene and sanitation supplies: soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and cloth face coverings
- Digital or physical copies of important documents (a USB drive or cloud backup works well)
It is a good idea to prepare an emergency supply kit before hurricane season begins. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)'s full recommended emergency supply list can be found here.
2. Create an evacuation plan
If you live in a situation of heightened vulnerability such as along the coastline or in a mobile home, you may need to evacuate your house if impacted by a hurricane. That's why you will want to create an evacuation plan well before hurricane season. Learn about the nearest shelters, remember to include your pets in your plan, and take important documents with you.
You may also consider doing a trial run of your evacuation. Identify multiple routes out of your area in case roads are closed or congested, and make sure every member of your household knows the plan. Keep your gas tank at least half full during active storm watches.
3. Review insurance policies and protect your home
Before hurricane season, review insurance policies and make sure your home has proper coverage. It is also a good time to take steps to protect your home from the potentially devastating impacts of a hurricane. Trim extraneous and weak branches of trees and shrubbery which could land on your house.
Consider installing storm shutters, or fitting plywood panels to your windows, which can be nailed to the window frames in the event of an approaching storm. Sliding glass doors are particularly prone to wind damage, and should be covered with wind shutters or plywood during a hurricane. If you live in a mobile home, take steps to secure it against high winds and anchor it to the ground.
4. Invest in a home weather system to track storms
NOAA and other weather agencies will be able to tell you a lot about developing hurricanes, and forecasting technology is improving all the time. However, sudden changes in weather conditions are becoming increasingly frequent and harder to predict, making it more important for those at risk to keep a close eye on local conditions. A home weather station is a wise investment, particularly if you live in regions prone to severe weather, such as hurricanes, thunderstorms, and wildfire. In the case of a hurricane, having access to wind direction and speed, as well as air pressure and precipitation, can provide some indication of the severity and path of the storm as it approaches. Always follow evacuation orders, but if you are sheltering in place outside of the direct path of a hurricane, having real-time updates of the weather outside can be incredibly helpful.
Stay safe this Hurricane Season
Preparing for hurricane season may seem like a chore, but it is essential for you and your family's safety. Each hurricane season brings its own risks and some years are quieter than others, but no season is without potential for a dangerous storm. A little preparation can go a long way to help you stay safe.
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