Hurricane Season Officially Starts on Sunday!

Brace yourselves! Meteorologists say the 2025 hurricane season will be another busy one.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a 60% chance of a well above average hurricane season this year. That’s due to what they call a confluence of factors, including El Niño, warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon.

There’s only a 30% chance it will be a normal hurricane season. That’s not good news considering last year was the deadliest and third most expensive hurricane season since we’ve been tracking them.

The first named storm this year will be Andrea and experts predict we’ll have 13-19 named storms from June 1 to November 30. That means they’ll hit winds of 39 MPH or more. Six to ten of those will kick up to more than 74 MPH, making them officially hurricane strength. Half of them are expected to be major hurricanes.

While it’s not a perfect science, weather predictions, especially tropical ones, get more refined every year. Last year’s prediction was spot-on.

Unfortunately, many communities on the Gulf Coast of Florida are still reeling from hurricanes in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

What to Do

It’s never too early to prepare for a potential hurricane strike. The first step is putting together your emergency supply kit. All of these items can keep for a while, so put it together now. You don’t want to be rushing to Publix or Aldi in the days or hours before landfall, hoping they aren’t sold out of what you need.

Start your emergency kit with a flashlight, first aid kit, and plenty of extra batteries. Invest in a battery powered or hand-cranked radio. Even better – get a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.

Stock up on water. You’ll want 1 gallon a day per person for at least three days. Add to that three days of non-perishable foods such as granola bars, dried jerky, and canned foods. Just remember, you may not be able to cook. And don’t forget a manual can opener either.

Have a supply of plastic sheeting and duct tape to repair holes and leaks, especially if you’re sheltering in place. Keep a wrench or good pliers handy that you can use to turn off water and gas and remember - before you turn off the water, fill up your bathtubs.

Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties are essential for when nature calls. Make sure you have your cell phone and charger and an external battery to recharge. You’ll also want to grab a local map - even if your cell phone is charged, towers may be down, and we rely too much on technology to get us from point A to place B.

FloridaDisaster.org has a full checklist you can print out and work from.

Plan for the Unexpected

The safest plan is not to be around when the hurricane strikes. Preparation, not panic, is the key to staying safe. Plan your evacuation route, including where you’ll stay along the way or if you get cut off. If you have pets, make sure your route includes pet-friendly shelters and know their requirements. Keep essential documents in a fire safe or a thick poly plastic sleeve with a zip-sealed closure.

Before you leave your home, unplug all non-essential appliances and fixtures. Fasten approved hurricane storm shutters to outside windows and doors. Don’t leave loose items in your yard. If you do have to stay, keep your generator and gasoline in a well-ventilated area of your home.

After the storm, there’s a greater chance insects and rodents may invade your home looking for food or shelter. We’re here to help. Good News Pest Solutions’ Go Green Perimeter Plus protects your home from ants, spiders, roaches and others, and we can always send one of our highly trained technicians out to reassess your home and insect entry points. For more details, or to get protected before the storms come, please give us a call!