Hurricane Season Begins June 1

Know Your Risks, Know Your Zone, and Be MdReady

HANOVER, MD (June 1, 2025) — The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30, and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) urges Marylanders and visitors to the State to have their communication plans, evacuation plans, and disaster supply kits ready in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane impacting our State. Last year’s hurricane season ranked as the third most expensive on record, largely due to its high activity and the occurrence of several Category 5 hurricanes.

“Preparedness cannot wait until a storm is approaching—by then, the ability to make some critical decisions may already be out of your hands”, said MDEM Secretary Russ Strickland. “Now is the time to make sure you and your loved ones are prepared. Tropical cyclones do not need to make landfall in Maryland to be dangerous. Their impacts can be felt inland for hundreds of miles, with the potential for tornadoes, prolonged power outages, and catastrophic flooding. I encourage local officials, community leaders, and the media to help share this message: Know your risks, Know Your Zone, and Be MdReady.”

The National Weather Service is predicting another above-average hurricane season this year with 14 to 21 named storms expected, three to six of those being considered major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). Above-average sea temperatures and the continuing La Niña system are some of the contributing factors this year.

Hurricanes and tropical storms pose many risks, including coastal storm surges, flash flooding, and tornadoes. Because large storms are unpredictable and can require rapid evacuations, it is essential to have an emergency plan in place, disaster supply kits ready, and to  Know Your Zone. Know Your Zone is an interactive WebApp that allows residents to enter their address and find out if they live in one of Maryland’s designated coastal evacuation zones.

These zones help local emergency officials issue evacuation orders more effectively in the event of storm surge or tidal flooding along the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries, the coastal bay, and the ocean on the Eastern Shore. While the Know Your Zone system is designed for coastal evacuations, inland areas are still at risk. Flash flooding, falling trees, and other hazards can be life-threatening far from the shoreline, and evacuations may still be recommended or ordered in these areas depending on the storm. Knowing your risk and knowing your zone ahead of time allows for faster, safer, and more organized evacuations in high-risk coastal regions.

Here are some additional considerations while planning for tropical storms and hurricanes (both of which are types of tropical cyclones):

• Plan now! Do not wait until the peak of hurricane season.
• Build a disaster supply kit for emergencies. Kits should include nonperishable foods, water, important papers, medications, items for children and pets, and cash. Store it in an easily accessible location.
• Have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts, like:
• NOAA Weather radio
• TV, radio, and news websites
• Government websites and social media channels
• Wireless emergency alerts through cell phones
• MdReady and county/municipal emergency notification systems
• Prepare ahead of time for flooding by reviewing your insurance coverage or purchasing home flood insurance.
• Unless you live in an evacuation zone, make a plan to shelter-in-place if it is safe to do so.
• If you are in an evacuation zone (Either A, B, or C), make a plan with friends or family to shelter with them where you will be safer and more comfortable.
• If you have pets or other special needs, contact your local emergency management office to get more information on public shelters and support.

For more information about hurricane preparedness, including sample emergency plans and supply kit information, please visit MDEM, FEMA, the National Weather Service, and the American Red Cross.

Marylanders are also encouraged to stay informed by installing the MdReady WebAppon their devices, which provides instant access to a wide range of emergency notifications and preparedness information to residents and visitors. To install the new WebApp, users can visit MdReady.maryland.gov and follow the prompt to easily add the MdReady shortcut to a mobile device home screen or to sign up for text alerts in English, Spanish, or in one of 185 languages.

To find more preparedness information for hurricanes and other hazards, please visit: Know the Threats, weather.gov/safety, or ready.gov. Be sure to follow MDEM’s social media feeds on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky

Contact:

Wendy Walch, [email protected], 410-702-3480

Travis Brown, [email protected], 410-702-3726

24/7 line: 877-636-2872