Can Residents Expect a Hurricane in West Palm Beach During the 2021 Storm Season?

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Don't rely on chances - be prepared!

Last year West Palm Beach and Florida in general were spared from any major hurricane making landfall, during a year that not only brought a pandemic but one of the most active hurricane seasons we have seen.

Florida’s hurricane season in 2021 may not bring such luck. Conditions in both the Atlantic and Pacific, warm subtropical waters and the absence of El Nino, along with the a shift in the Bermuda/Azores air patterns, are all calling in favor for a major storm to hit the East Coast hard.

 Many scientists, hurricane forecasters and local officials are concerned that Floridian residents may not properly prepare for this season, leaving them especially vulnerable to hurricane damage to their homes and businesses.  

2020 Hurricane Season Recap

Though there were no major hurricanes in West Palm Beach that made landfall, Florida did have a few brushes with storms in 2020. In September, Hurricane Sally made landfall in Alabama, rains and winds severely impacted the Florida Panhandle, causing hurricane damage from 121 mph wind gusts and storm surge flooding. It took until November 8^th , the last month of the hurricane season, for Hurricane Eta to be the first major storm to make landfall in Florida, mostly affecting the Florida keys.

What to Expect in 2021

As of April this year, experts are calling for an above-average season.

• 17 named storms
• 8 Hurricanes
• 4 major hurricanes

This season is definitely a lot less active than compared to 2020, which had 30 storms, though that does not rule out the 45% chance of a major storm making landfall in Florida and causing major hurricane damage. For this reason, experts and local officials are warning residents and business owners not to give in to a false sense of security and prepare now.

What to Remember

Peak season is not until July and the accuracy of how many storms we will actually get is not known until then. However, extra caution for this year should be taken especially after West Palm Beach residents have not only had to endure a pandemic but also being deemed the 14^th place for one of the wettest and warmest years on record.

With rainy season starting May 15^th, it is vital to begin preparations now for both your family and property:

• Create a disaster kit with enough non-perishable food, water, hygienic other safety items that will last for at least 3 days for your entire household.
• Start securing your property for potential hurricane damage. This includes checking for leaks during heavy rains or potential flood areas and begin mitigation.
• Have an evacuation plan in the case it is ever needed. Know what shelters are in your area.
• Create a list of important contacts that will prove useful before, during and after a hurricane in West Palm Beach. These contacts may include your utility vendors, insurance agent, local emergency departments, contractors like plumbers or damage restoration providers, neighbors, family , and friends.

After so many changes in 2020 to for West Palm Beach residents and business owners, 2021 is not the year to go unprepared for hurricane season. Make a hurricane preparedness plan today!