This article was originally published in 2021 and has been updated.
Tropical Storm Alberto, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico on June 19, became the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. It is expected to be the first of many, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicting an “above normal” number of storms this season.
The agency is predicting between 17 and 25 named storms this year, compared with about 14 named storms per season in general. The projections reflect more than a dozen expert forecasts for the season, which officially ends on Nov. 30.
Climate scientists agree that climate change is making major hurricanes more likely this year: Global warming allows the atmosphere to hold more moisture, allowing storms to bring more rain, and warmer oceans give storms more energy to harness.
The busier forecasts are also due to the potential formation of a weather pattern known as La Niña, which occurs due to changes in ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and affects weather patterns around the world.
Experts warn that it doesn't have to be a major hurricane to cause damage, but that extreme flooding and strong winds can occur not only along the coastline but also hundreds of miles inland.
If a hurricane approaches and authorities issue evacuation orders, you may not have much time to protect your home and family from the storm and flooding before you have to flee to safety.
Here are some things you should prepare in advance:
Make a family plan.
Prepare an emergency kit that includes cash, prescription medications, and a three-day supply of food and water (for you and your pets). These are essential if your home floods and you can't return immediately. Don't forget to consider preparing for people with special needs, such as seniors. If you're having trouble putting together a list, check out this list of suggestions from The New York Times Wirecutter that will work for any household.
If you live in a coastal area, it is important to become familiar with your local evacuation plans, evacuation zones and evacuation routes.
Plan a family reunion spot: Forgetting to do so was one of the most common mistakes people made when Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas in 2017 as a Category 4 storm, said Deanna Frazier, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“They may not have cell phone access, they may not have cell phones,” she said. “There were a lot of people who were looking for their loved ones and couldn't get in touch. Those are the kinds of things you have to think about.”
Listen to local news reports for the latest information on how to prepare and when to evacuate. “The biggest problem people face is waiting too long,” says Alberto Moscoso, former public affairs director for the Florida Department of Emergency Management. “When it comes to preparing for a hurricane or storm, now is always the right time.”
Protect your documents and valuables.
Take photos or scans of important documents such as your driver's license, Social Security card, passport, prescriptions, tax returns, and other legal documents. Upload and store the images online. Store physical documents in a fire-resistant, waterproof container or carry them with you. FEMA's Emergency Financial First Aid Kit has a checklist of documents you may need when claiming for insurance or other benefits.
When evacuating, take irreplaceable keepsakes with you if possible. If not, move mementos or possessions of monetary value to a second floor or higher shelf where they may not be damaged by floodwaters.
It's common to underestimate where and how high the water levels will get.
“Anywhere it rains there can be flooding,” Ackley said.
[What do storm categories mean? Here’s what you need to know.]
If possible, make sure you have flood insurance on your home: Most homeowners insurance policies don't cover flood damage, and it usually takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to go into effect.
Bottle water and freeze food.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends setting your refrigerator and freezer temperatures as low as possible during a power outage and moving any food in your refrigerator to the freezer to keep it cold longer. A packed freezer can keep food cold for up to 48 hours during a power outage. If you can't fit all your food in your freezer, add containers of ice to your refrigerator.
Keep a thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer so you can check the temperature when you get home — if it's below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it's safe to eat.
Move food pantry supplies and bottled water to higher, safe shelves where they will not be damaged by floodwaters.
Take inventory of household chemicals.
Check your garage and your home for potentially dangerous products, such as bleach, ammonia, and drain cleaners. Make sure all lids are tightly closed and move these products to higher shelves where they can't get flooded. Chemicals mixed in floodwaters are hazardous to your health and can cause fires or explosions.
Let's think about power.
Move electronic devices, small appliances, portable heating systems, and anything else with wiring to a higher floor or high shelves, as far away from water as possible. If you have a portable generator, keep it away from moisture. (Don't use it indoors or plug it into a wall outlet.)
Tidy up your yard and lock your windows.
Trim and safely dispose of tree branches that may break and fall in hurricane-force winds or fly off if left on the ground. Secure gutters and downspouts and remove any clogs that may prevent water from draining off your property. Move bicycles, trash cans, outdoor furniture, grills, tanks, and building materials indoors or secure them to a safe location as they may be blown away by high winds. Board up windows to prevent leaks and broken glass, and secure doors with storm shutters if necessary.
Take care.
Avoid driving or walking in floodwaters as they are dangerous in many ways. They may be electrically charged from downed or buried power lines. They may harbor debris such as glass, dead animals or poisonous snakes. They may be contaminated with sewage or dangerous chemicals. Just 6 inches of water can knock a person over, and even 1 foot of rushing water can destabilize a vehicle.
Do not enter your home until authorities have determined it is safe. To avoid electrical hazards caused by flooding, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or breaker panel or call a professional for help. Enter your home with caution. Do not touch any electrical equipment and use a flashlight to light your way rather than anything flammable.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Only bottled water, canned foods, and properly packaged foods are safe to eat after a flood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises discarding any food that may have come into contact with water. If cans get wet, remove the labels and wash them in a bleach solution before opening them.
There is also a risk of waterborne illnesses: drink fresh bottled water if it is available, and if not, follow CDC guidelines to boil water before drinking it.
Please clean it properly.
Dangerous chemicals, mold, asbestos, lead paint, etc. are some of the potential hazards after a flood. Therefore, when you are in a flood-damaged building, follow the official recommendations and wear gloves, eye protection and a face mask. Before you start cleaning and removing debris, take photos of the general condition and damage of the house and contact your insurance company. Then ventilate the house and remove any water-damaged items. This is the most important step to minimize mold growth, which can cause asthma attacks, eye and skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
Johnny Diaz Contributed report.
