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The 2024 hurricane season is here, and already we’ve seen flooding along the Gulf Coast and Florida due to storms. The National Weather Service’s outlook for the 2024 hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicted an 85 percent of an above normal season.

The main culprits this year are record water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, where the hurricanes enter the Gulf of Mexico, and lower wind shear due to the presence of a La Niña in the Pacific, as opposed to the storm-suppressing El Niño. Climate change has also contributed, making conditions more conducive to the formation of major storms.

It’s very rare that a hurricane affects East Tennessee, but it can. It can bring high winds and heavy rains to the area, resulting in flood risks. Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the nation, a costly threat exacerbated by hurricanes and major storms. Hurricane-related flooding could inundate areas with low to moderate flood risk.

Whether we live along the Gulf Coast or in the mountains of East Tennessee, we need to always be weather alert. Remember January 1998? Carter County experienced flood waters, as a result of melting snow and heavy rains, causing the Doe River to overflow its banks from Roan Mountain to Elizabethton. Lives were lost, roads were washed out, and homes destroyed. You don’t have to be in a hurricane to experience flooding or storm conditions.

We should always be prepared for major storms and flooding by planning ahead. Consider the specific needs of your household such as transportation, prescriptions, medical equipment, and food and water.

Include emergency phone numbers, transportation options, and any special needs. Keep this information somewhere safe in case of power outages.

Assemble an emergency kit. Gather basic supplies for at least three days, including food, water, and medications (and don’t forget to include the needs of pets!).

Know evacuation routes. Locate the nearest shelter and different routes to get there. If shelter locations in your area have not been identified, learn how to find them.

Talk to your children. Discuss emergency preparedness and what to do in case you are separated.

Otherwise, the classic tips still apply. Update all paperwork that you may need. Make sure you have plenty of water – experts estimate a gallon per person per day and enough for three days. Solar or battery-powered phone chargers are also important. Make sure your prescriptions are all up to date and fully stocked.

Storms, whether it be hurricanes, tornades, or snow storms, are by definition, scary events. To those who live in storm-prone areas, to remove some of the anxiety, prepare to evacuate early. And those who decide to ride it out should stock up on essentials – and be prepared for the inevitable disruptions. In all cases make safety a priority.

Remember, flooding can strike in any season, and no area is immune.