The Central Pacific Hurricane Center recently released its outlook for the 2017 hurricane season, predicting that five to eight tropical cyclones will either develop or cross into the Central Pacific from now through Nov. 30.

In an average season, there are four to five tropical cyclones, which include tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes.

Is this the summer when our luck runs out, and West Maui is cut off and battered with high winds, storm surge and flooding?

The American Red Cross is preparing for that possibility and recruiting disaster volunteers in Maui County.

“We need our communities prepared for disasters before they occur. One critical piece is to have trained volunteers on standby and ready to respond,” said Michele Liberty, Red Cross Maui County director.

“We encourage new volunteers to join the Red Cross ohana and support our mission of helping those in need.”

The Maui Red Cross seeks volunteers to join its disaster response teams on Maui, Lanai and Molokai. If you’re interested, the first step is to register online at redcross.org/hawaii (click on “Volunteer,” then “Becoming a Volunteer”).

Once applications are completed through the Volunteer Connection system, the Red Cross will contact interested individuals about signing up for basic disaster classes. Call the Maui office at 244-0051 with any questions.

Amazingly, from hurricanes to house fires, the Hawaii Red Cross responds to disasters statewide every four days.

The lifesaving humanitarian organization emphasized, “Whether it’s one displaced family or thousands of disaster victims, Hawaii Red Cross volunteers are there to help. This is what the Red Cross is about: neighbor helping neighbor, down the street, across the nation and around the world.”