Florida has survived the first tropical storm (Arthur), before hurricane season has arrived. Hurricane season runs from June 1-November 30.
“It’s difficult to wrap your head around the idea of storm potential, when coming off quarantine or still in quarantine,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s largest independent homeowners insurance.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, NOAA announced today, it is expecting a busy Atlantic hurricane season. NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 13 to 9 named storms (winds of 39mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4, or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA stands behind their predictions with a 70 percent confidence. How does this forecast compare to previous hurricane seasons? The average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes.
“The combination of several climate factors is driving the strong likelihood for above-normal activity in the Atlantic this year. El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are expected to either remain neutral or to trend toward La Nina, meaning there will not be an El Nino present to suppress hurricane activity. Also, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, coupled with reduced vertical wind shear, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds, and an enhanced monsoon all increase the likelihood for an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season,” reports NOAA.
NOAA is not the only group expecting an active hurricane season. “Nearly all seasonal projections that have been issued by various agencies, institutions and private forecasting companies call for this season to be quite busy,” says Taylor Ward, CNN Meteorologist.
However, it is good to know NOAA and other weather agencies are not making a landfall forecast. It is possible to have an active hurricane season with no US hurricane landfalls. In fact, most don’t make landfall. However, it only takes one big hurricane landfall to cause destruction.
As with every hurricane season, hurricane preparedness is important. Keep in mind, you may need to adjust your current arrangements based on the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and your local officials.
GreatFlorida Insurance offers dependable property insurance for Floridians. Our homeowners insurance can cover hurricane damage incurred by windstorms. However, most home policies do not include flood damage.
We offer flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP. Floridians have another year before they see a hike in flood insurance premiums. New rates are expected in October 2021.
GreatFlorida Insurance has experienced, independent agents are located throughout the state to answer your questions and help you find the coverage you need and for the right price. To learn more about our services call 888-478-7801 or go online for a free quote at www.greatflorida.com.
