Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins Sunday, and Maryland Emergency Management Agency officials are warning residents to prepare now, before a major storm strikes.
The National Weather Service predicted 12 to 16 named storms will affect the Eastern Seaboard this season. Two to five of those storms could be major hurricanes ? Category 3 or stronger.
Colorado State University researchers are expecting about 13 named Atlantic storms ? which is two above the national average.
MEMA spokesman Ed McDonough talked with The Examiner about what lies ahead.
What can Marylanders expect this hurricane season?
Based on [Federal Emergency Management Agency?s guidance], they are looking at a normal to slightly above normal hurricane risk this year.
For the last two years, they have expected busier than usual hurricane seasons, and fortunately that hasn?t come to fruition.
But we still need to be on guard.
What should people do to prepare?
The biggest thing I tell people early in the season is to talk to their insurance agencies about purchasing flood insurance.
After you sign up for flood insurance, there is a 30-day waiting period.
If you are in an area that is prime for flooding or have any concerns about flooding, now is the time to [contact] your insurance agency.
Also, try to have a supply of bottled water around the house, [and] nonperishable food, a manual can opener, and a go-kit with supplies if they have to get in their car and evacuate quickly.
The time to think about this is not when there is a hurricane rumbling off the Atlantic coast.
[People should] try and get as much of those items as they can now.
The one other thing we try to let people know is to try not to drive through standing water on roads.
Just 6 to 12 inches of water can carry a car downstream.
Just practice some good common sense if you are in a storm situation.
