Each year, ‘Hurricane Season’ last for five months. Since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina decimated the Gulf Coast States, most people have paid more attention to forecasts about potential storms. This week’s post will discuss general information that you need to know as we get ready for hurricane season or any natural disaster.

1) June 1st marks the start of Hurricane Season, but the peak of the season is between August and September which occurs because of the warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Katrina hit on August 29th.

Now, bear with me – for a little “weather” alphabet soup.

2) The National Weather Service (NWS)/National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) monitors the weather and issues forecasts on all tropical cyclones/storms (some may develop into hurricanes). The NHC’s mission is to save lives, mitigate property loss, and improve economic efficiency by issuing the best projections, watches, warnings, and forecasts of hazardous tropic weather.

3) The names of all storms are decided years in advance by the groups mentioned above. Also, the storms names are given in alphabetical order each year. Since Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the number of storms has risen, and preseason tropical systems occur regularly. Because of the increase in hurricanes, there is a supplemental list of names if it is needed, but let’s hope that does not happen.

Be sure you check my next BLOG post for the 2025 Hurricane Season Series. Until then, stay safe.