Atlantic Hurricane Season Commences June 1st

Active Hurricane Season Predicted, Officials Urges Preparedness

Sussex County urges preparation for 2013 hurricane season in wake of Superstorm Sand

http://www.sussexcountyde.gov/docs/pressreleases/2013/05/hurricane.season.EOC.05-23-13.pdf

The 2013 Atlantic hurricane season will is an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The season officially started on June 1 and will end on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time. 

As the hurricane season begins, state and federal officials are urging residents to be prepared for what may occur over the next few months.

In its recently issued 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast an "active" or "extremely active" season this year.

The outlook indicates a 70-percent likelihood of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which seven to eleven could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including three to six major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher).

These ranges are well above the seasonal average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Last year, 19 named storms formed in the Atlantic with 10 of those becoming hurricanes. Only two of the named storms developed into major hurricanes, one of which was Hurricane Sandy that hit Delaware in late October and caused hundreds-of-millions of dollars in damage to neighboring New Jersey.

Delaware agricultural officials have issued a list of tips to help farmers and pet owners prepare for the hurricane season. "Preparing and acting early can save animals' lives," said Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee. "The time to take action is now, before storms create disaster conditions."

To see the complete list of tips from the Department of Agriculture, click the attached link. http://dda.delaware.gov/storm_preparedness.shtml

To see/print a copy of the Delaware Hurricane Evacuation Guide, click the attached link. http://dema.delaware.gov/Docs/HURRICANE_EVACUATION_BROCHURE_2013.pdf