Hurricane Preparedness Week, day 6: Use caution after storm has passed
May 9 is day six of Hurricane Preparedness Week and focuses on using caution after a storm hits.
The 2025 hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. The National Hurricane Center will begin issuing daily tropical outlooks on May 15.
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To raise awareness about the dangers posed by hurricanes and tropical storms and encourage people to prepare early for storms, the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service have established May 4-10 as Hurricane Preparedness Week.
The week covers various topics each day, providing valuable information for those new to hurricanes and good reminders to seasoned Florida residents.
Early predictions are for a "volatile hurricane" season in 2025, with above-normal activity.
Colorado State University forecasters ranked Florida No. 1 among all 50 states when it comes to the probability of a named storm coming within 50 miles, at 92%.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
The National Hurricane Center will begin issuing tropical outlooks on May 15, highlighting any tropical disturbances showing potential for development.
Hurricane Preparedness Week 2025 is scheduled for May 4-10, focusing on a different topic each day. Here's the lineup:
May 4: Know your risk: Wind and water
May 5: Prepare before hurricane season
Tuesday, May 6: Understand forecast information
May 7: Get moving when a storm threatens
May 8: Stay protected during stormsMay 10: Take action today
Just because a storm has passed does not mean the time has come to let your guard down, NOAA warned.
"Nearly half of hurricane fatalities occur after the storm." Follow these five tips to stay safe:
If you evacuated, only return home only when told to do so
Remain vigilant, as hazards remain
Clean up safely: don't push yourself, and check on neighbors
Practice portable generator safety
Remember, help and communications may not be readily available
Let's go into each one.
"Return home ONLY when officials say it is safe. Check with local officials both where you're staying and back home before you travel," NOAA said.
Many areas may not be accessible due to damage or flood waters. There may be no power. Stores may not be open or, if they are, shelves may be bare until supplies are able to be sent in.
NOAA offered these tips to stay safe even after the storm has passed by:
Be careful near damaged buildings. Walk carefully around the outside of your home to check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage, including dangerous debris such as nails or glass. Leave your home if there's shifting or unusual noises. If you smell gas, get outdoors immediately and call 911.
Avoid electric shock by staying far away from downed power lines. Stay alert: they may be on the ground, hidden in water, or dangling overhead.
Flooded roads are very dangerous. It can be difficult to judge how deep or swift the water is moving — just 12 inches of water can float a car. Never drive through flooded roads, even if you are seeking supplies or trying to check on someone. Floods can also compromise bridges and roads. Avoid flooded river areas, as they can continue to rise long after a storm passes.
Don't walk in floodwaters. They can contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, sharp objects, and dangerous animals.
Now is not the time to push yourself.
"Straining the body can lead to heart attacks, heat strokes, and other serious issues. Perform cleanups slowly, taking lots of breaks," NOAA said.
"Stay hydrated, wear light, loose-fitting clothing, and clean up during cooler hours if possible. If your area is under a heat advisory, use extreme caution and consider cleaning up when the heat has subsided.
"Make sure to check on your elderly neighbors and other vulnerable people in your community."
Be very careful with portable generators.
"Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death in areas dealing with power outages." Follow these guidelines:
Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open.
Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
"After a hurricane, emergency responders may be overwhelmed. Be aware that it could take hours or days for them to reach your area.
"Communication systems may be impacted, and making phone or video calls might be difficult due to network congestion. If possible, communicate via text, email, or social media," NOAA said.
The National Hurricane Center will release its predictions for the 2025 hurricane season later this month. Early forecasts released so far predict:
: Predicting 2025 could be a year with "volatile hurricanes" and warns storms could rapidly intensify shortly before making landfall.
Named storms: 13 to 18
Hurricanes: 7-10
Major hurricanes: 3-5
Direct U.S. impacts: 3-6
Colorado State University: Season will be above normal. Florida ranked No. 1 when it came to the probability of a named storm coming within 50 miles, at 92%.
17 named storms
9 hurricanes
4 major hurricanes
Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist with WeatherTiger, said 2025 has a "50-50 shot of landing in the ranges of":
16-21 tropical storms
7-9 hurricanes
3-4 major hurricanes
Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them:
Andrea: AN-dree-uh
Barry: BAIR-ree
Chantal: shahn-TAHL
Dexter: DEHK-ster
Erin: AIR-rin
Fernand: fair-NAHN
Gabrielle: ga-bree-ELL
Humberto: oom-BAIR-toh
Imelda: ee-MEHL-dah
Jerry: JEHR-ee
Karen: KAIR-ren
Lorenzo: loh-REN-zoh
Melissa: meh-LIH-suh
Nestor: NES-tor
Olga: OAL-guh
Pablo: PAHB-lo
Rebekah: reh-BEH-kuh
Sebastien: se-BAS-tee-en
Tanya: TAHN-yuh
Van: van
Wendy: WEN-dee
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage as conditions warrant and daily beginning May 15. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Hurricane preparedness week 2025: Use caution after storm hits
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