Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1; experts predict ‘near

The start of the Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1. This year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a near-normal hurricane season with potentially 12 to 17 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes and 1 to 4 major hurricanes.

The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, which does not end until Nov. 30, is expected to be less active than recent years, due to competing factors — some that suppress storm development and some that fuel it — driving this year's overall forecast for a near-normal season.

"After three hurricane seasons with La Nina present, NOAA scientists predict a high potential for El Nino to develop this summer, which can suppress Atlantic hurricane activity. El Nino's potential influence on storm development could be offset by favorable conditions local to the tropical Atlantic Basin. Those conditions include the potential for an above-normal west African monsoon, which produces African easterly waves and seeds some of the stronger and longer-lived Atlantic storms, and warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea which creates more energy to fuel storm development," according a statement from NOAA.

When the weather is sunny and the skies are clear, it may be easy to brush off warnings of a near-normal hurricane season, but it is important to remember that these storms have the potential to cause catastrophic damage and they can spring up within a matter of days. Those who survived the destruction and devastation of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 will remember the challenges after the storm, when people had to go to extra effort to repair their homes and businesses, and gain access to goods and services.

So what steps can individuals take to prepare for a hurricane? Firstly, it is important to be aware of the risks in your area. Look up the evacuation routes and shelters nearby and ensure that you have a plan in case of emergency. Liberty County is a pass-through county, meaning that shelters will not be established for those fleeing other counties. Sheltering in place is generally advised for Liberty County residents, except for those in low-lying, flood-prone areas.

If Liberty County residents prepare for a storm ahead of time, then they can avoid getting on the highways at the same time that hurricane evacuees from coastal counties are trying to move to higher ground.

"We want people to be part of the solution, not part of the problem," said Liberty County Office of Emergency Management Director Bill Hergemueller. "We try to make accommodations to get people to their families in times of needs, but we also depend on families to have a plan of their own for the storms."

Here are some suggestions for preparing your home for hurricane season:

Every home should have an emergency supply kit, not just for hurricane season but all natural disasters. Here are items you should consider putting in your supply kit, according to Texas Ready:

Your first aid kit should contain these items:

Here are emergency documents you should have gathered in a waterproof bag to prepare for a hurricane:

If you are evacuating by vehicle, here are things you should consider taking with you:

Before you leave home: