Officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are forecasting an 85% chance of an above-average hurricane season in 2024. These forecasts include an estimated 17 to 25 named storms, of which eight to 13 have the potential to become hurricanes. Four to seven of these storms are expected to be Category 3 or higher. This will be the eighth season in the last decade to be above the 1991-2020 hurricane average.

According to NOAA, the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be more active than average. This is due to record high water temperatures in the Atlantic, the development of La Niña conditions in the Pacific, the weakening of the trade winds and reduced wind shear. All of these factors favor the formation of tropical storms.

Unfortunately, power outages occur during strong storms. Electric Membership Cooperatives (EMCs) across Georgia are currently making preparations to ensure they have materials on hand to repair lines after a severe storm.

“EMCs work well in advance of hurricane season to ensure they have enough supplies on hand,” said Harry Reeves, vice president of training and safety at Georgia EMC. “When hurricanes come through, they can cause severe damage to power lines, so EMCs make it a point to have extra power poles, transformers and cables on hand to replace damaged lines and get power flowing again as quickly and safely as possible.”

In addition to providing materials, Georgia EMCs plan to bring additional electrical contractors to the state to help restore power under mutual assistance agreements.

The 2024 hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. As EMCs across the state prepare, EMC members should also prepare for hurricane season.

Early preparation:

• Create an emergency plan. Take time to develop an emergency plan for your family. Identify your safe place and let each family member know their role in an emergency. For instructions on creating a storm plan, visit ready.gov/plan.
• Know your family’s medical needs: If you or a family member needs power for medically necessary equipment, you should have a plan in place in the event of a power outage. These devices may require a battery backup or generator to function. If a battery backup or generator cannot provide enough power during an extended power outage, you should identify a secondary emergency location.
• Prepare an emergency kit for severe weather. Every home should have an easily accessible storm kit with essential household items. Remember to pack things like food, water, medicine, flashlights, batteries, and a weather radio. For more information, visit ready.gov/kit.

As the storm approaches:

• Protect your home. Secure windows and doors and bring loose items inside.
• Refueling: It's always good to fill your car with gas to be prepared for an extended power outage. This can serve as an additional source of charging for your devices while your home is without power.
• Activate your health insurance plan: Now is the time to charge battery backup devices for medically necessary equipment. Alternatively, you can temporarily relocate to an area where there is less likely to be power outages due to the storm.
• Stay up to date. Stay up to date on storm updates for your area by checking weather apps, local TV stations and websites like weather.gov.
• How to report outages: Most EMCs allow outages to be reported by phone, website, and email. Learn the most efficient way to report a power outage.