CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season begins Tuesday and weather forecasters are predicting it will be an active one.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced last month it expects another “above average” Atlantic hurricane season this year.
Forecasters with NOAA predict between three and five major hurricanes, with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour, will form in 2021.
Between six and 10 hurricanes with winds of at least 74 mph were expected out of 13-20 tropical storms in 2021, NOAA forecasters said. Tropical storms have winds of at least 39 mph.
The American Red Cross’ Spokesperson Siara Campbell said there are three things all families need to do in order to prepare for hurricane season.
“The first is to make sure that you have an evacuation plan, making sure that you know what you and your loved ones are going to do in case of an emergency. And that second part is to build your emergency kit. Now, a long list of what those items are can be found online at redcross.org/prepare. But that last piece of this is to make sure that you stay informed. Find out how your local officials will contact you during the disaster. How you will get that important information such as your evacuation orders if you need to leave your home. You need to know that information.”
American Red Cross spokesperson Siara Campbell
Campbell stressed it’s important to keep those tips in mind even if you live in an inland state since those areas can also be impacted by a hurricane.
She also gave advice on how best to prevent a carbon monoxide incident after a power outage.
“Make sure that you’re never using a generator of grill, a camp stove or any other gasoline, propane or natural gas devices inside of a home or garage or basement, anything that’s going to be an enclosed area. Keeping these devices outdoors away from doors, windows vents, anything that could allow the carbon monoxide to come indoors is crucial and making sure you know what to look for in case you have been there has been CO build up in the home. If you’re feeling sick, dizzy weak while you’re using a generator or one of these items. Make sure you get to fresh air right away. Do not delay too. Do not stall, make sure you get to an area where you can have fresh air.”
American RED CROSS spokesperson Siara CAMPBELL
Although forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, experts do not expect it to be as busy as last year.
The Atlantic hurricane season continues through Nov. 30.
The 2020 hurricane season was the most active on record producing 31 cyclones, of which 30 were named tropical storms.
NewsNation affiliate WFLA and Reuters contributed to this report.