ATLANTIC OCEAN - SEPTEMBER 3: In this NOAA GOES-East satellite handout image, Hurricane Dorian, now a Cat. 2 storm, inches northwest away from the Bahamas on September 3, 2019 in the Atlantic Ocean. Dorian moved slowly past the Bahamas at times just 1 mph as it unleashed massive flooding and winds of 150 m.p.h. (Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)
The Atlantic hurricane season officially began yesterday (June 1st). Experts are predicting that hurricane activity will slightly greater in intensity compared to 2019’s season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a 70 percent chance of 13 to 19 named storms with six to ten becoming hurricanes. Meanwhile, The Colorado State University predicts 14 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes. On Friday (May 29th), forecasters said there have already been at least two tropical storm systems and possibly a third, which would be the most on record before the official start of the hurricane season. The experts say this year is especially challenging because hurricanes may force people to seek safety in evacuation shelters even with pandemic-related restrictions, and emergency management officials are adjusting their plans and messaging appropriately.