By PATRICK GILLESPIE
June 1 officially started the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, with experts – once again – predicting a busier-than-normal season, putting Florida in the crosshairs for activity.
In 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted a “normal” hurricane season with 12 to 17 named storms and 1-4 Category 3 to 5 storms. Hurricane Idalia that battered the Big Bend area of Florida before moving inland was the only U.S. landfalling hurricane last year, peaking as a Category 4 hurricane.
For 2024, NOAA is forecasting 17 to 25 named storms with eight to 13 forecast to become hurricanes. Additionally, NOAA experts believe the season will produce four to seven major hurricanes, which are categorized as 3, 4, or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher.
“The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation,” NOAA stated in news release in May.
Not only can hurricanes create significant concern for residents as they prepare for impacts, but storms have environmental impacts as well. The strong impacts of winds and storm surge can destroy buildings and release pollutants into the ground, beaches can be impacted, and wildlife habitat destroyed. Hurricane Idalia, for instance, created 8 to 12 feet of storm surge and did considerable damage to farming operations throughout much of the area, affecting livestock, aquaculture, and farm equipment.
On June 1, the City of Tampa kicked off the season with its 2nd Annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo, where city and state officials, businesses, and organizations provided information and tips for preparedness, from pet care to drinking water.
The state started the first of two sales tax holidays designed to encourage Floridians to buy goods to get them ready. The first holiday was June 1-14 and the second will be Aug. 24 to Sept. 6.
Items include manual can openers, pet supplies, batteries, fire extinguishers and smoke alarms to portable generators that cost $3,000 or less. An analysis by legislative staff estimates that $80 million in tax revenue will be saved through the disaster preparedness holidays.
“I want to thank the Governor and the Florida Legislature for continuously taking action to support Floridians and providing them with cost-effective ways to be prepared,” said Kevin Guthrie, Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director. “I urge all residents to prioritize preparedness during these tax-free holidays and make any necessary updates to their disaster supply kit and plans.”
The Division’s annual hurricane guide provides information about common storm terminology, including definitions of hurricane categories, food safety after loss of power, generator safety tips, floodwater danger, and other key information. The guide is available at https://www.floridadisaster.org/globalassets/fdem-hurricane-guide-2024.pdf
Tips for Hurricane Season
Know Your Zone to understand evacuation zones, whether flooding is a threat, and where you may be able to evacuate to, if needed
Prepare an emergency kit with supplies for you and your pets, including medicine, medical ID badges, and other key items
Have enough food and water for a week
Know how to shut off electricity, gas, and water, if needed
Know where important documentation is for quick accessFind these tips and more in the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s 2024 Hurricane Guide
