We're making exceptional strides to keep you safe this hurricane season. Take a peek at the hurricane preparedness video presented by President Joe Biden Jr.
Prepare Now: 2024 Hurricane Season
SUMMARY
The video revolves around the upcoming hurricane season, with a focus on the unprecedented forecast provided by the National Hurricane Center.
Forecast for the Hurricane Season
- The National Hurricane Center predicts an exceptionally active season, forecasting between 17 and 25 named storms.
- Out of these storms, 8 to 13 could potentially develop into hurricanes, with 4 to 7 reaching major hurricane status (Category 3 or stronger).
- The forecast is particularly significant due to recent severe weather events in the Southern US, leading to widespread flooding.
- Emphasis is placed on the importance of preparedness and resilience in facing potential risks associated with hurricanes and tropical storms.
- While coastal communities are typically impacted, inland areas can also suffer from damaging winds and deadly flooding during these events.
Key Takeaways
- The hurricane season commences on June 1st and extends through November.
Hurricane Survival Toolbox: Commissioner’s Corner
Are you a Commissioner or in a position of authority where you can help your Department/Agency prepare for the peak of hurricane season or help your department recover after a hurricane? If you answered yes, then this Hurricane Survival Toolbox Kit is made especially for you! See what you can do to help your department/agency prepare for hurricane season. The more prepared you are, the lower the downtime and the faster you can act on response and recovery operations. Don’t be caught off guard! Be prepared!
VIDOSH Hurricane Survival Toolbox Kit is a 4-part series that provides the tools and guidance needed to prepare your Department/Agency for a hurricane and guide your department through the general safety hazards that occur during hurricane response and recovery operations in the event of a devastating storm.
Part 1: Are You Ready?
Part 2: Preparation Tools
Part 3: General Hazards Toolbox Kit
Part 4: Sandbag Safety
Reflection of Hurricanes Irma and Maria:
This year marks the 7th anniversary of Hurricanes Irma and Maria’s landfall in the U.S. Virgin Islands. With the double wrath of back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes, both hurricanes caused major catastrophic destruction in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma tore through the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, causing catastrophic destruction in the USVI and Puerto Rico. The strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever measured, the Category 5 storm brought 185 mph+ winds that wreaked havoc and devastation. Irma took down power grids and communications in Culebra, St. Thomas, St. John, and portions of eastern Puerto Rico, impacting over 1 million people.
Twelve days later, September 19-20, 2017, Hurricane Maria – another intense Category 5 hurricane – brought cataclysmic devastation to St. Croix and Puerto Rico. Maria damaged or destroyed 70% of the buildings on St. Croix, including schools and the island’s only hospital. The remaining power grid and communications networks in the USVI went down.
Both territories remained under 24-hour curfew for weeks after the storms. The severely damaged power grids would take approximately four months to restore in the USVI. To date, recovery is still ongoing as “blue roofs” or tarpaulins can still be seen on some houses and buildings.