The 2020 Atlantic and Central Pacific Hurricane Seasons begin in less than a month away on June 1. To prepare vulnerable communities ahead of the season, the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service are kicking-off Hurricane Preparedness Week this week from May 3 to May 9. “It only takes one storm to change your life and community,” the National Hurricane Center says. “Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena. If you live in an area prone to tropical cyclones, you need to be prepared.”
On the first day of Hurricane Preparedness Week, the government agencies encourage people to determine what risks they could be exposed to this upcoming season. Hurricanes bring a variety of storm impacts, some of which can be felt far inland. At the coast, storm surge and rip currents could be problematic even if the center of a tropical cyclone is far away. At the coast and inland, flooding rains, tornadoes, and damaging winds are all possible. Whether you live at the coast or inland, you should understand how these different threats could impact you; people should begin planning against those threats.
With the COVID-19 Pandemic impacting where people are taking shelter, they may be in some place different than they usually are. Others are hoping to take a summer vacation as quarantine restrictions are lifted in their areas. Hurricanes and tropical cyclones don’t take a vacation, but could impact your travel plans. Beyond developing a plan for your area, also be aware of the weather risks you could be exposed to along your journey and at either your vacation destination or your safe place of shelter from the pandemic. Especially in hurricane season, make sure you are weather aware and understand the meteorological threats that you and your loved ones could be exposed to away from home.
For more information on hurricane season preparedness and safety, visit the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Preparedness Week website here.
