As hurricane season approaches, officials are urging residents, especially those in coastal and flood-prone areas, to take immediate steps to prepare for what could be another active and potentially dangerous season.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) and emergency management officials have designated May as National Hurricane Preparedness Month, a time to educate the public on storm dangers and promote planning before the season peaks in late summer.
In an Executive Order issued this week, President Trump reflected on the destructive power of hurricanes and emphasized the importance of readiness. “Every year, hurricanes destroy lives, striking some of our Nation’s most beautiful regions and leaving devastation in their wake,” Trump stated. “Now is the time to raise awareness about the dangers of these storms and encourage citizens in coastal areas and inland communities to be vigilant in emergency planning and preparation.”
This August marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters in U.S. history. In the years since, storms such as Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton have reminded Americans that no community is immune to the fury of nature. Helene was a powerful storm that struck in late September last year, causing catastrophic flooding in far inland in North Carolina, Tennessee, and other southeastern states. Two weeks later, Milton plowed across Florida, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
Long Island has had its share of menacing storms, including Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Isaias, Henri, and Ida in more recent years. One of the strongest hurricanes to plow across Suffolk was the “Long Island Express,” which took a direct shot at Westhampton in 1938. Residents also remember the destruction of Belle (1976), Gloria (1985), and Bob (1991).
Trump’s disaster preparedness order gives state and local officials more authority to lead resilience and rapid-response efforts. “Local officials have the insight to make risk-informed decisions, deploy resources, manage operations, and eliminate ineffective bureaucracy so we can better serve affected communities,” Trump noted.
Emergency experts at the Hurricane Center stress the importance of preparing before a storm hits. “Take some time right now and get prepared,” a spokesperson said. “That’s the best way to protect your family and your property.”
Key steps include:
- Create an evacuation plan and make sure everyone in your household knows it.
- Stock up on supplies: One gallon of water per person per day (for at least seven days), non-perishable food, cooking tools, batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit, prescription medication, clothing, cash, and essential documents.
- If told to evacuate, do not stay behind. Follow official evacuation routes—shortcuts may be blocked or dangerous.
After a storm, safety remains critical. Officials warn residents to avoid downed power lines and floodwaters, and to take precautions against carbon monoxide poisoning—never operate gas-powered equipment indoors or near open windows.
With the memory of past disasters fresh in the national conscience, officials hope that more Americans will heed the warnings and take action now. As Trump concluded in his proclamation, “I call upon Americans living in hurricane-prone areas to safeguard their families, homes, and businesses from the dangers of hurricanes.”
The 2025 hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs to November 30. Forecasters expect an above-average number of storms, raising the stakes for early and thorough preparedness.