How Virginians Can Prepare For 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

VIRGINIA — The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season officially starts Sunday, and state leaders are urging Virginians to prepare ahead of any extreme weather events.

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. While most forecasts say it won't be as supercharged as 2024, when hurricanes Helene and Milton contributed to the third-costliest year on record, another busy season is still anticipated.

In a message released Friday, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged residents to make plans now to protect themselves in the event of a hurricane.

"By implementing these proactive measures, we can protect our homes and businesses, save lives, and recover faster," Youngkin said. "We urge everyone to have a plan, make an emergency supply kit, and know where you can go for trusted information and updates."

Since 1995, 21 of the 30 Atlantic hurricane seasons have been officially classified as above normal, with nearly half of those considered “hyperactive,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In the last 10 years, only 2015 was below normal and 2022 was near normal.

Ocean warmth is not quite as high as last year's off-the-charts heat. But it's sufficient to be the top reason for the busy forecast, National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said.

“Everything is in place for an above-average season," he said.

NOAA forecasters are predicting a hurricane season with 13 to 19 named storms, Graham said at a recent news conference.

Six to 10 of these storms will strengthen into hurricanes, and three to five of them are expected to become major hurricanes of a Category 3 or above, Graham said.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather forecasters said the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season could be an energetic one with 13 to 18 named storms, with the season peaking on Sept. 19. Of those, seven could become hurricanes, and of those, three to five could reach Category 3 major status or higher.

SEE MORE PREDICTIONS: What 5 Forecasts Predict For The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

According to state officials, government agencies, first responders and other partners are continuing regular training to ensure that the Virginia Emergency Support Team is prepared to respond during and after a hurricane.

“We want to remind Virginians that hurricanes and other tropical systems are not limited to coastlines,” said John Scrivani, acting state coordinator at the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. “Some of the most devastating impacts to Virginia have come from systems that originated in the Gulf and traveled inland across our southwestern region."

Below are a few steps to ensure you and your family’s safety, according to state officials:

Check your insurance coverage. Now is the time to review your insurance coverage and contact your insurance agent for any changes. If you are not insured against floods, talk to your insurance agent, shop for private flood insurance or visit floodsmart.gov. There may be a waiting period (typically 30 days) for a flood insurance policy to become effective and be aware that not all storm-related losses, such as flooding, are covered under traditional policies.

Know your zone. An evacuation may become necessary depending on the track and severity of the storm. Review Virginia’s evacuation zones at KnowYourZoneVA.org. Users can enter their physical address in the search bar of the website to view and confirm their designated evacuation zone.

Complete a family communication plan. Prepare for how you will assemble and communicate with your family and loved ones. Identify meeting locations and anticipate where you will go. The Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance on family communications plans is available here.

Make an emergency kit. Assemble an emergency kit that includes nonperishable food, water, medication, sanitary supplies, radios, extra batteries and important documents. Learn more about building an emergency supply kit here.

Stay informed. Identify where to go for trusted sources of information during emergencies. Check with your local emergency management office to sign up for alerts that go directly to your phone or email. Be sure to monitor local news for watches and warnings in your area and follow the directions of local officials. Power outages are always a concern during weather events, so make sure you have a battery-operated radio available so you can still receive life-saving alerts.

There are many resources available to assist with hurricane planning efforts. Learn more about preparing your business, your family, and your property against hurricane threats (and other disasters) at vaemergency.gov/prepare and ready.gov/hurricanes.

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