With the potential for a busy Atlantic hurricane season, this year’s Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 9-15) is your best opportunity to communicate effective emergency response with your organization, its employees, and the surrounding community.

“Today you can determine your personal hurricane risk, find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies,” the National Weather Service (NWS) advises. “You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season. If you live in hurricane-prone areas, you are encouraged to complete these simple preparations before hurricane season begins on June 1.”

The NWS website also includes social media resources, CDC information on hurricane prep during COVID-19, public shelter locations, and much more.

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season could be potentially more active than last year. NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has updated the averages for the season with 15 named storms and 7 hurricanes, with major hurricanes (Category 3-5) maintaining at 3. The recent increase is based on both overall improvement of environmental satellites and the warming ocean and atmosphere due to climate change.