Brace yourself—this year’s hurricane season is shaping up to be a wild one.

Experts are calling for an above-normal season, with a higher number of named storms and intense hurricanes expected to spin up across the Atlantic. If you’re imagining chaotic wind, relentless rain, and the kind of power outages that turn dinner into canned beans by candlelight—you’re not far off. But don’t panic. With the right preparation, you can face the storm like a seasoned pro.

Why Is This Season Expected to Be So Intense?

Let’s break it down in simple terms:

• Hotter ocean water = more fuel for hurricanes.
• Less wind interference = more stable conditions for storm growth.
• No major El Niño or La Niña = an open playing field for storm formation.
• More tropical waves rolling off Africa = more opportunities for those waves to become big, nasty storms.

In other words, Mother Nature’s got the perfect recipe brewing—and it might cook up something strong.

Your No-Nonsense Hurricane Prep Checklist

Whether you’re in a coastal city or hundreds of miles inland, hurricanes can reach you. Flooding, wind, and power outages don’t care about zip codes. So here’s your down-to-earth guide to staying safe and ready:

🧰 Step 1: Build a Go-To Emergency Kit

No, you don’t need to panic-buy five years’ worth of powdered eggs. But you do need essentials:

• 3-day supply of non-perishable food and water
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Flashlights + extra batteries
• First aid kit and any crucial medications
• Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag
• Multi-purpose tool
• Spare cash (because ATMs don’t work when the grid goes dark)

👨‍👩‍👧 Step 2: Make a Plan

Imagine the power’s out, cell service is gone, and your street looks like a river. Who do you call? Where do you go?

• Pick a meeting spot for your family.
• Plan how to evacuate if needed.
• Decide how you’ll communicate if phones go down.

Practice your plan at least once—just like a fire drill, but with more snacks.

🧾 Step 3: Review Your Insurance

Now’s the time to dig up that policy and really read it. Is your coverage up to date? Does it include flood damage? Spoiler alert: most basic policies don’t. Better to find out now than argue with your insurer from a flooded living room.

📻 Step 4: Stay Informed

Keep tabs on the weather, local alerts, and evacuation notices. During the storm, a good old-fashioned battery-powered radio might be your best friend.

Live Inland? Don’t Get Too Cozy

Even if you’re not on the coast, hurricanes can still mess up your weekend—and your basement. Expect:

• Flash flooding from relentless rain
• Uprooted trees and downed power lines from high winds
• Tornadoes spinning off from the storm like angry mini-twisters

Keep your yard tidy: trim trees, secure patio furniture, and clear those gutters. Your future self will thank you.

Final Thoughts: You Got This

Hurricane season doesn’t have to be a thriller movie you didn’t sign up for. With a solid plan, some common sense, and a stocked emergency kit, you’ll be ready to ride out whatever comes your way. Preparation isn’t panic—it’s power.

So go ahead, check that emergency kit, review your family plan, and keep one eye on the sky. When the winds howl, you’ll be the calm in the storm.

Stay safe. Stay smart. And remember: fortune favors the prepared.