With Isaac barreling through the Gulf, attention turns to our first hurricane threat of the summer.

 

The Atlantic hurricane season could be a bit worse than originally thought. The updated outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) increases the chance of an above-normal season to 35 percent, and boosts the prediction for the total number of named storms.

 

The NOAA’s new prediction includes 12 to 17 named storms with top winds of 39 mph or higher, compared to its earlier May outlook of a “near-normal” season with just 9 to 15. The new figure is still slightly under last year’s named storm total of 19. A “normal” season, based on a 30-year average, includes 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.

 

The prediction for overall number of hurricanes was 4 to 8 and is now 5 to 8. The number of major hurricanes was also increased to 2 to 3, and was just 1 to 3. Hurricanes have top winds of 74 mph or higher, and major hurricanes are Category 3, 4, or 5 with top winds of 111 mph or higher.

 

We’ve already seen 6 named storms this year—two of which pre-empted the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs June 1 through November 30.

 

It’s important to be prepared. Review your policies with your Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance agent to make sure your home, property, farm and crops, business, and vacation home are sufficiently covered.