For those of us who live along Alabama's Gulf Coast, June 1 marks the start of another beloved local season.

No, not beach season.

No, not fishing season.

Hurricane season.

The annual six-month period where everyone suddenly becomes a meteorologist, social media is filled with spaghetti models, and half the Gulf Coast starts hunting for batteries they haven't seen since Hurricane Sally.

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30. While forecasters are currently predicting a below-normal season overall, experts continue to remind residents that it only takes one storm to make it a very active season for your neighborhood.

Step One: Don't Be "That Person"

You know the one.

The storm is 48 hours away and they're:

  • buying 27 cases of water,
  • fighting over the last loaf of bread,
  • looking for a gas can,
  • and trying to remember where the generator is.

Let's avoid becoming that person this year.

Build Your Hurricane Kit Now

Emergency officials recommend having:

  • one gallon of water per person per day,
  • non-perishable food,
  • flashlights,
  • batteries,
  • medications,
  • first aid supplies,
  • important documents,
  • portable phone chargers,
  • cash,
  • and supplies for pets.

Pro Tip:

Check your batteries now. Just because "it worked during Sally" is not a preparedness strategy.

Know Your Evacuation Plan

One of the most important things Gulf Coast residents can do before hurricane season is know:

  • their evacuation route,
  • where they'll go if they leave,
  • how they'll transport pets,
  • and how family members will communicate if cell service becomes limited.

Trying to figure all that out while a storm is approaching is about as fun as assembling IKEA furniture in a hurricane.

Don't Forget the Important Stuff

Things many people forget:

✅ Prescription medications

✅ Pet food

✅ Portable phone chargers

✅ Insurance information

✅ Important documents

✅ Cash

When power and internet go down, that stack of paperwork suddenly becomes very important.

The Cone Is Not a Promise

Every year somebody posts:

"Good news! We're outside the cone!"

Then 24 hours later they're dragging patio furniture into the garage.

Remember:
Forecasts change.

The cone shifts.

And storms don't always read the forecast.

Stay informed through trusted sources and local emergency management officials.

A Little Gulf Coast Perspective

If you've lived here awhile, you know the routine.

You'll see:

  • empty grocery shelves,
  • long gas station lines,
  • social media weather experts,
  • and at least one person grilling everything in their freezer before the storm.

But you'll also see neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together, and Gulf Coast residents doing what they always do: preparing, adapting, and getting through it together.

Final Thoughts

The best time to prepare for hurricane season is before there's a named storm in the Gulf.

So take a few minutes this week to:

  • check supplies,
  • review your plan,
  • charge your power banks,
  • and locate that flashlight.

Because if Jim Cantore shows up at The Hangout, it's probably already too late to start shopping. 😂

Stay safe, stay prepared, and here's hoping the biggest storm we deal with this summer is deciding where to eat after a day at the beach.