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With the official start of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, federal, state, and local authorities gathered at the National Hurricane Center in Miami-Dade to send a strong message to residents of South Florida: preparation cannot wait for a storm to appear on the radar.
Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Red Cross, the Miami-Dade Fire Department, and Senator Rick Scott participated in an event aimed at raising public awareness about the risks of hurricane season and the necessity for every family to have a defined action plan.
During the meeting, the authorities expressed several concerns that they consider particularly relevant this year.
One of them is that South Florida has not received the direct impact of a hurricane since Irma's passage in 2017. This prolonged absence of significant impacts may have created a sense of overconfidence among part of the population.
Additionally, thousands of people have moved to Florida in recent years and have never had direct experience with a hurricane. According to emergency officials, many new residents are unaware of evacuation procedures, the risks associated with storm surges, and the importance of taking action in advance.
Another element that raises concern is the forecast for a less active season than the historical average. Authorities emphasize that a prediction of lower activity does not mean that the danger has disappeared, as a single cyclone can cause catastrophic damage regardless of the total number of storms that form in a year.
Additionally, the region is preparing to welcome a significant influx of international visitors due to the celebration of FIFA World Cup matches, which adds an extra challenge to emergency plans.
On this point, Miami-Dade's emergency manager, Pete Gómez, warned: "Thousands of international visitors will arrive in the area during the FIFA World Cup. And those people will come from all over the world and have never experienced an event like these cyclonic ones, such as a hurricane."
"We are concerned, and that is the importance you have, to send that message to be prepared, to know where you are if you need to evacuate," he added, cited by Telemundo 51.
As part of those preventive measures, Miami-Dade is already conducting emergency drills at Hard Rock Stadium, one of the venues that will host events related to the World Cup.
At the same time, the authorities are in contact with diplomatic representatives to ensure that foreign visitors receive clear information on how to act in the event of a weather emergency.
During the day, the increasing use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to gather information on weather phenomena was also addressed. However, the responsible parties stressed that these platforms should not replace official sources.
Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, noted that artificial intelligence can facilitate quick access to data and informational summaries, but he emphasized that any information should be cross-checked with communications issued by emergency agencies, the media, and government authorities.
Experts reminded that, unlike earthquakes or other sudden disasters, hurricanes usually provide days of advance notice to prepare. For this reason, they emphasized that families should not wait for an alert to start organizing themselves.
Among the recommendations disseminated are the development of a family emergency plan, the identification of evacuation routes, the verification of whether the home is located in an area susceptible to mandatory evacuation, and the prior definition of the location they would go to in case of receiving an evacuation order.
FEMA reminded that the primary responsibility for preparedness falls on each household. Therefore, it recommended obtaining supplies in advance, reviewing insurance policies, and ensuring that all family members are familiar with emergency procedures.
Authorities also advised storing non-perishable foods, drinking water, and enough medications for at least seven days. They also recommended checking shutters and hurricane protection systems, making digital copies of important documents, and developing plans that include pets.
For its part, the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department suggested having a reserve of one gallon of water per person and pet each day for a week. Additionally, it recommended filling containers with tap water as soon as a hurricane warning is issued.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its official forecast on May 21, in which it anticipates below-average activity.
According to that projection, between eight and 14 named storms could form, of which between three and six would reach hurricane status and between one and three could become major hurricanes, meaning category 3 or higher.
The agency estimates a 55% probability that the season will end below usual levels, a 35% chance that it will remain close to average, and only a 10% likelihood that it will be more active than average.
According to specialists, the main factor behind this scenario is the possible consolidation of El Niño conditions in the Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon typically increases wind shear over the Atlantic, making it difficult for tropical systems to organize and strengthen.
However, experts reminded us that historical statistics show that an average season records about 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes, and that the total number of cyclones does not necessarily determine the level of destruction that a community may experience.
For this reason, the final message from the authorities was that no resident should interpret the moderate forecasts as a reason to let their guard down. They insisted that early preparation remains the most important tool for protecting lives and reducing risks when the next tropical threat arrives.
The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1 and officially runs until November 30.
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