For us, the Central Pacific hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. It’s a good time to establish a preparedness plan and assemble a disaster kit that you can grab on short notice.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center and Climate Prediction Center last week predicted 2-5 tropical cyclones for the Central Pacific hurricane region for the entire upcoming season. This projection includes tropical depressions, named storms and hurricanes.

“This year, we will likely see less activity in the Central Pacific region compared to more active seasons,” said Matthew Rosencrans, NOAA’s lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center.

“Less activity is predicted since ocean temperatures are likely to be near to below average in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean where hurricanes form, and because El Nino is not present to increase the activity.”

As demonstrated in March’s flooding events, it only takes one storm to cause significant damage.

“As we have experienced in previous hurricane seasons, it only takes one direct hit, or even a close call, to have a major impact on daily life here in the Hawaiian Islands,” said Chris Brenchley, director of NOAA’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

“Take time to prepare now. Make a preparedness plan so that you and your family stay healthy and safe.”

NOAA announced that its upgraded Global Forecast System model (GFS) will improve hurricane genesis forecasting this season, and the combination of GFS with a wave model will extend ocean wave forecasts from ten out to 16 days.

Stay safe this hurricane season. Hurricane safety tips and resources are available at https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane and FEMA’s Ready.gov.