Roma, TX, July 24, 2010 -- Waters of the Rio Grande flooded parts of the city of Roma after Hurricane Alex. More than three feet of water flooded this house.

With hurricane season less than two months away (the season runs from June 1 – November 30), forecasters are already predicting an active season for Atlantic storms. Yesterday, researchers at Colorado State released their annual forecast, calling for 16 named storms and five major hurricanes*.  This is one of several forecasts that will come out in the next few months, but it further underscores the need for all of to get ready now for hurricanes and other hazards.

At FEMA we're doing our part to prepare for this season, but as we always say, the public plays a critical role as well.  If you live in an area at risk for hurricanes, the time to get prepared is before the storm season begins.  Ready.gov, our preparedness website, outlines three simple steps to getting prepared for hurricanes, or any disaster:

• Make a plan -  Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so you should know how to contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency.
• Get a kit – An emergency supply kit should include items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries to sustain yourself and your family for up to 72 hours.
• Be informed – Be familiar with the risk of hurricanes in your area, and follow forecasts from the National Hurricane Center throughout the storm season.

* A hurricane is considered a major storm if it has sustained winds of greater than 110 miles per hour (Category 3 and above).