Preparing for the 2019 Hurricane Season: What You Need to Know

Forecast for the 2019 Hurricane Season

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is projected to be slightly below-average, according to I.I.I. non-resident scholar Dr. Phil Klotzbach. Dr. Klotzbach, an atmospheric scientist at Colorado State University (CSU), and his team are forecasting 13 named storms, five hurricanes, and two major hurricanes for the year. A typical year has 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Major hurricanes are defined as Category 3, 4, and 5 storms, where wind speeds reach at least 111 miles per hour.

The Importance of Preparation

A slower 2019 season might sound like welcome news after the 2018 Atlantic season saw 15 named storms, with eight of them becoming hurricanes (two major). However, major hurricanes can be potentially catastrophic, whether they hit during a relatively quiet year or not. Sean Kevelighan, the I.I.I.’s CEO, stressed that homeowners and businesses need to prepare for the upcoming season. “For one, make sure you have insurance; especially for homeowners, you need coverage for both wind and flooding. Remember, these are two different policies, as flood is primarily offered via the National Flood Insurance Program. Secondly, take steps to ensure your home is fortified for resilience, such as having roof tie-downs and a good drainage system. And, finally, take inventory of your belongings as well as map out a safe evacuation route. Americans far too often bet on the storm not hitting them, but the unfortunate truth lies in historical data which shows virtually every mile of our Gulf and Eastern coastlands have been hit at one point or another.”

Useful Tips for Hurricane Season

For more information on hurricane-proofing your home and business, check out the following: How to prepare for hurricane season and Five steps to disaster-proof your business. Additionally, it's important to note that while the 2019 season is projected to be below-average, the average cost of a major hurricane in the United States is around $20 billion. This highlights the importance of being prepared, regardless of the forecast.