Downed trees and fallen tree limbs on powerlines are the major cause of power outages during hurricanes and other severe weather events.
Get ready for an active 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts “a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph 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 said it had 70% confidence in those ranges, adding that the period from June 1 through November 30 will be seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season.
“The increased activity anticipated this hurricane season is attributed to several climate factors, including the ongoing La Niña that is likely to persist throughout the hurricane season, warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, weaker tropical Atlantic trade winds and an enhanced West African monsoon,” said NOAA’s forecast.
Do you know what to do before, during and after a hurricane? OUC’s Storm Center can help you prepare an action plan, show you how to report an outage and enroll in proactive alerts. Our online resource also offers safety tips, storm videos and a tropical weather guide in English and Spanish.
Now’s also the time to stock up on supplies you may need when severe weather hits, as the 2022 Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs until June 10. Click here to see a list of items that qualify for the sales tax exemption.
