Hurricane Season Getting Busy ─ Time to Get Ready Now

The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season is heating up with multiple storms forming almost simultaneously in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico due to record warm water temperatures and moisture in the atmosphere.

There are currently several storms in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico that could grow stronger, including Tropical Storm Franklin which may strengthen to a hurricane and cause high surf and rip currents along parts of the East Coast.

Storms could strengthen much faster this year and the American Red Cross urges people who live in areas which are prone to hurricanes to get ready now.

The busiest time for tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin runs from mid-August through October, with September 10 being the peak of hurricane season. Hurricane season runs until November 30.

The climate crisis, according to scientists, is making hurricanes worse in the United States by increasing their intensity. It’s uncertain whether there will be more hurricanes, but certain that the intensity and severity will continue to increase. As extreme weather increases, more people need help from the Red Cross. Find out more about the Red Cross and its work on the climate crisis at redcross.org/climate.

HOW TO PREPARE Take these steps to get your household ready.

1. Create an evacuation plan. Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you have to evacuate. Coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans. Plan multiple routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for pets. If you already have an emergency plan, update it and review with family members so everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs.

2. Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for an infant and pets if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information. Because of the pandemic, include a mask for everyone in your household. If you already have a disaster kit, now is the time make sure the food and water is still okay to consume and that copies of important documents are up to date.

3. Be informed. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.

4. Download the free Emergency app for instant access to full weather alerts, help preparing for emergency situations and open Red Cross shelter locations. Choose whether you want to view the content in English or Spanish with an easy-to-find language selector. The Emergency app is accessible so that people with disabilities can use it and is compatible with Apple Watch and Android Wearable devices. Find all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

5. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. It’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, please visit the National Flood Insurance Program website at www.FloodSmart.gov.