Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  Hurricane Season starts today, June 1st, and runs through November 30th. Gulf Coast agencies are urging residents to prepare now for hurricane season. Officials say early planning can reduce confusion during an emergency. Families are encouraged to review supplies and evacuation plans. They are also being asked to secure property and monitor trusted forecasts.

Officials are urging residents to take several steps before a storm develops. These steps include understanding local hazards, assembling a disaster kit, protecting homes and vehicles, and planning for evacuation if conditions worsen.

Know the risks

According to the National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola guide, Gulf Coast hazards include storm surge, inland flooding, tornadoes, high winds, and rip currents. The guide notes that hurricane impacts are not limited to the immediate shoreline and can extend well inland.

The guide says people living on or near the coast should know their evacuation zone before a storm threatens. It also notes that storm surge can arrive before landfall and cut off roads, making it harder for residents to leave safely.

Gather supplies

Ready.gov recommends that every household have a disaster kit with water, food, flashlights, batteries, chargers, local maps, and a first-aid kit. The site also recommends a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, including a NOAA Weather Radio.

Ready.gov advises families to keep prescription medications, cash, important documents, sanitation items, pet supplies, and infant supplies on hand. The site recommends storing important papers in a waterproof container before severe weather threatens the area.

The National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola guide advises residents to be prepared to manage on their own for at least 72 hours. It also recommends that households plan for the possibility of up to one week without normal services.

Prepare property

The guide says residents should fuel vehicles, bring in loose outdoor items, clear drains and gutters, and board windows if needed. These steps can help reduce damage and make it easier to leave quickly if local officials order evacuations.

Have a plan

Officials say families should decide in advance where they will go and how they will get there if evacuations are ordered. They also recommend sharing those plans with relatives and friends in case communications are interrupted.

The National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola guide advises that people living in mobile homes should leave when local officials issue evacuation orders. The guide also states that emergency responders should not be expected to assist during landfalling hurricane conditions.

Stay informed

Officials advise residents to monitor trusted updates from the National Weather Service, Mobile, the City of Orange Beach, the City of Gulf Shores, and the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency. They also advise that preparedness decisions be based on official forecasts, emergency alerts, and local evacuation instructions.

Local and federal guidance indicates that preparation is most effective before a storm forms in the Gulf. Officials say residents who understand the risks, gather supplies, and plan early can respond more quickly as conditions change.