Preparing for the 2024 Hurricane Season: What You Need to Know
by Pete Duncanson
Hurricane season begins soon, and this year, meteorologists and weather experts are forecasting another memorable season. This hurricane season is forecasted to be extremely active. With the potential for 30 named storms, the 2024 hurricane season would be the most active of all time.
Over the last few years, extreme weather events have become more common. The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season was memorable, with 20 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 storms reaching major hurricane strength. This is the fourth-most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, with 2024 forecasted to top this record. Even though this sounds like a really active season, it was one of the least active in the last decade. 2023 was an El Niño year, evolving into a La Niña year for the 2024 season which is one reason for the activity. And La Niña seasons tend to yield more storms.
Here’s what you need to know about
hurricane season 2024:
• The National Hurricane Center issues the yearly tropical weather forecast a few weeks ahead of the beginning of hurricane season in the United States, which begins June 1, 2024, and ends November 30, 2024. But hurricanes don’t wait for an “official season.”
• Emerging from low-pressure systems over tropical waters, tropical storms or cyclones manifest with enclosed wind circulation and a defined core known as the “eye.” Although they typically generate less wind and flooding than hurricanes, they remain capable of causing significant harm to homes, including wind-driven rain, mud accumulation, debris impact, and persistent mold issues.
• As wind speeds escalate to 74 mph, a tropical storm escalates into a hurricane, bringing forth catastrophic repercussions for homes and businesses. From inundating floods caused by relentless rainfall to structural devastation from mighty winds, and the looming danger of storm surges for coastal areas, the impact is profound.
How to Prepare for the 2024 Hurricane Season
• Stock up on emergency supplies. Have a week’s supply of water, plenty of nonperishable food items, and refill necessary prescriptions for all family members, including pets.
• Create an evacuation route for all family members. Identify two meeting places: one outside your home and one outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home. Make sure all parties have the address and phone number of the meeting place outside your neighborhood.
• Identify the location of community
shelters.
• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank and make sure you have a car charger for your cell phone.
• Review and understand your insurance coverage. Understand your deductibles for hurricane damage. Investigate flood
insurance.
Protecting Your Property If You Must Evacuate
• Bring in loose items outside your home that can be picked up by strong winds.
• Close windows, doors, and hurricane shutters. If you don’t have hurricane shutters, board up windows and doors with 1/2” marine plywood.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances. If you lose power or you’ll leave your property, shut off the main switches in the circuit breaker box.
• Take photos/videos of the exterior and interior of your home. Take vital documents (birth certificates, social security cards, bank records, etc.) that must be with you.
Homeowners must be prepared to respond to disasters when Mother Nature strikes; it makes all the difference in a family’s safety.
Pete Duncanson is the Vice President of Training and Development at ServiceMaster Restore. For more information, visit their website. servicemasterrestore.com/residential/weather-damage/hurricane-damage/