Forecasters predict an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, estimating 13 to 19 storms from June 1 to November 30. With recent years showing increased storm activity, six storms may reach hurricane strength, with 3 to 5 classified as major hurricanes. The greatest threat remains flooding, which results in the largest number of fatalities, often inland rather than near the coast. Previous hurricanes like Helene in 2021 and Ian in 2022 exemplify the severe impacts that even weak storms can have in terms of casualties and economic damage, particularly from rain and storm surge.
"Everything's in place for an above-average season," said Ken Graham, the director of the National Weather Service, which oversees the National Hurricane Center.
"Water's the biggest killer with these things. I've seen so many cases where the inland flooding causes more fatalities than on the coast."
In 2022, catastrophic storm surge from Hurricane Ian caused more than $100 billion in damage in Florida and killed more than 150 people.
In 2017 and 2018, relatively weak storms also caused massive flood damage, including hundreds of fatalities from inland flooding.
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