Hurricane Season Is Here: How to Prepare Before It’s Too Late

Why You Should Care — Even If You’re Not on the Coast

Hurricanes are not just a coastal threat. In fact, many of the most dangerous impacts — flash flooding, power outages, downed trees, and road closures — often strike hundreds of miles inland. As the American Red Cross warns, now is the time to act before a major storm forms and leaves little time to prepare.

While the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30, the most dangerous stretch is beginning now — with August through October marking the most active period for storms. Historically, September brings the highest number of hurricanes.

Forecast: Busy and Dangerous

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this year’s outlook predicts between 13 and 19 named storms. Of those, up to 10 could become hurricanes, and as many as five may escalate into major hurricanes, with winds exceeding 111 mph.

These forecasts are not just statistics — they are signals to prepare. In its advisory, the Red Cross emphasizes that hurricanes can trigger power outages, close highways, disrupt water supplies, and displace communities. Every household should take the forecast seriously.

How the Red Cross Is Getting Ready

Behind the scenes, the Red Cross is already ramping up nationwide readiness. Volunteers are being trained. Shelters are being staged. Supplies — including cots, hygiene kits, blankets, and cleanup tools — are being pre-positioned in strategic locations.

Emergency response vehicles are fueled and checked. Partnerships with state and federal agencies are being activated. In short, the Red Cross isn’t waiting for landfall — and neither should the public.

What You Can Do — Today

If you live in a hurricane-prone area, preparation means more than buying bottled water. You need a complete evacuation plan that answers key questions: Where will you go? How will you get there? What will you bring? And how will your family stay in contact if networks go down?

Equally important is a shelter-at-home plan. If you choose or are forced to stay, make sure you can survive without electricity, gas, clean water, or internet for several days. That includes storing non-perishable food, flashlights, medications, and hygiene essentials.

Not Everyone Can React the Same Way — Plan for That

Preparedness isn’t one-size-fits-all. The Red Cross offers customized guidance for different needs, urging people to think ahead for family members with physical or developmental disabilities, senior adults, children, and pets. A few key resources include:

• Readiness for Older Adults
• How to Help Children Feel Safe
• Emergency Planning with Disabilities
• Pet Disaster Safety Guide

Stay Connected, Stay Safe

Another key step is to register for your local emergency alert system — most cities and counties offer free text and email alerts that can notify you instantly of evacuation orders or road closures.

In an emergency, information is power. Being able to receive, share, and act on alerts can make all the difference in how fast you respond — and how well you recover.

The Bottom Line

Disasters don’t wait. The 2025 hurricane season is entering its most dangerous months, and families must be ready. Whether you live on the coast or hundreds of miles inland, you’re still in the path of potential destruction. Take the time now to make a plan, stock your supplies, and help others around you do the same.

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