National Hurricane Preparedness Week is here!

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is less than a month away, so it's high time to make sure that you and your family are ready in case one hits.

This annual week is a nationwide effort to inform the public about hurricane hazards and to provide knowledge to help people prepare and take action. This year's daily themes include:

Originally observed as National Hurricane Awareness Week prior to 2004, the name of the week was changed to better indicate the ultimate goal: preparedness, not just awareness. 

The record-breaking 2020 hurricane season saw two tropical systems hit the tri-state area, Fay and Isaias, with the latter knocking out power over a week for some. Early forecasts for 2021 predict another above-average season.

Last year's unrivaled number of hurricanes couldn't have come at a worse time with the pandemic still in full effect. Dozens of storms forced folks across the Deep South into shelters -- putting health and safety measures to the test.

The dangers of tropical storms and hurricanes include damaging winds, flooding from storm surge, and flooding from rain. Since the hurricane is a rotating storm, tornadoes are also possible.

Despite Isaias causing mainly wind damage last year, storm surge and coastal flooding has been the most noteworthy aspects of tropical cyclones for our area over the last decade, culminating with Superstorm Sandy. 

Nationally, it has statistically been the deadliest aspect over the past half century, accounting for nearly 50% of storm-related deaths.

Visit our local New York National Weather Service Office's hurricane preparedness page to learn more!