Storm Season 2025: Preparing for an "above normal" Atlantic Hurricane Season

• 51% for the entire U.S. coastline (average from 1880–2020 is 43%).
• 26% for the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula (average from 1880–2020 is 21%).
• 33% for the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville, Texas (average from 1880–2020 is 27%).
• 56% for the Caribbean (average from 1880-2020 is 47%)

"Hurricane disasters can occur whether the season is active or relatively quiet.... Therefore, residents, businesses, and government agencies of coastal and near-coastal regions are urged to prepare for every hurricane season regardless of this, or any other, seasonal outlook. NOAA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the NHC, the Small Business Administration, and the American Red Cross all provide important hurricane preparedness information on their web sites."

“As we saw with [the 2022] Hurricane Ian, it only takes one hurricane to cause widespread devastation and upend lives. So regardless of the number of storms predicted this season, it is critical that everyone understand their risk and heed the warnings of state and local officials. Whether you live on the coast or further inland, hurricanes can cause serious impacts to everybody in their path.”

• As noted by Medicare, if you have Original Medicare, you can always visit any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare.  You can also contact your Medicare Supplement or Medigap provider for more information.
  
  
• People enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan should check with their Medicare plan (you can call the telephone number on your Member ID card), and you may find that your Medicare Advantage plan allows you to get healthcare from another provider (doctor or hospital without a referral or prior authorization at in-network cost-sharing even when the healthcare is out-of-network).

• Educate yourself and know where you want to go
  Learn about your community’s emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and location of emergency shelters.  For example, during Hurricane Matthew, many of the barriers islands along the eastern coast were evacuated and residents were required to show passes or car tags for readmission onto the islands. Check with your local authorities to see whether your community requires some form of pass or identification after an evacuation.
  
  
• Be aware of potential home hazards
  Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water or a fallen power line, or before you evacuate.  Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate.  Secure structurally unstable materials (building material, grills, and propane tanks).
  
  
• Own a fire extinguisher (and know how to use it)
  Buy a fire extinguisher and make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it.  If you have an older extinguisher (over a year old), be sure that it is still functional and inspected by a professional.
  
  
• Secure important documents
  Locate and secure your important papers, such as insurance policies, wills, licenses, and stock certificates.
  
  
• Collect contact information
  Post emergency phone numbers at every telephone or save the number in your mobile phone.  Some examples of important numbers include your insurance agent, local hospitals, local utilities, local law enforcement, and fire/rescue.
  
  
• Do you or someone in the house have special needs?
  Inform local authorities if your household includes someone with special needs (such as, a person who is bed-ridden or disabled and has mobility issues).
  
  
• Prepare a disaster supply kit
  Stock your home, car, and workplace with supplies that may be needed during the emergency period (such as, food, water, prescriptions, and non-prescription medications). You should stock food and water for a minimum of a three-day period.  If you are diabetic, be sure to have a means to keep your medications cool while traveling or during a power outage (such as a well-insulated mini-cooler).  If you have a pet, look now for a pet-friendly shelter and have pet supplies ready.  Do not forget to have some cash on hand as ATM and credit card readers may not be functional if there is no electricity.  The government's site (www.ready.gov/build-a-kit) provides some additional information.
  
  FEMA's Basic Disaster Supply Kit includes: 
  
  
  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
    
  • Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
    
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
    
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
    
  • First aid kit
    
  • Whistle to signal for help
    
  • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
    
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
    
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
    
  • Manual can opener for food supplies
  • Local maps
    
  • Cell phone with chargers, automobile power inverters / adapters or solar charger