In recent years, the amount of hurricanes has exponentially increased. Will these storms be more powerful this year, and are we prepared for what’s to come?

In a study done by CSU, we have no fewer than 19 named storms coming this season, including 9 hurricanes that will have four category 3+ ratings. This far exceeds the yearly average, which is about 14. In 2021, it was predicted that we would have 17 named storms with 4 major hurricanes. Instead, we got 21 named storms, with 7 hurricanes–including 4 major ones. The Colorado State University Hurricane Forecasting team published a hurricane report in 2022 stating, “Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them, and they need to prepare the same for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted.”

As climate change continues and ocean temperatures rise, the power of the hurricanes will increase as well. Hurricanes will suck up heat energy from the surface of the water, adding more strength. All of these ramped up weather conditions are caused by La Niña in the Western hemisphere. La Niña, simply put, is when colder ocean temperatures in the eastern tropical pacific La Niña weakens winds in higher altitudes, at the same time preventing wind shear. This absence in wind shear makes storms more likely to appear and grow stronger. Hurricanes remain another example of why we need to start taking care of the environment. Every year, hurricanes grow stronger and the coastal United States, as well as other tropical regions, have to suffer for it. Those living in those areas are in need of preventative measures, not fixes after the fact.

Another large concern with the big and repetitive hurricanes is the stock of essential supplies. Ever since the pandemic started, there have been large supply chain shortages, and these problems have yet to be resolved. A mass rush to buy essential supplies like milk, food, water, and toilet paper will cause a shortage similar to the beginning of the pandemic. These supply issues are “the result of an imbalance between supply and demand,” says Chief Economist at Mizuho Industries, Steve Ricchiuto. These supply issues were an issue last year as well during the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and Nicholas and Tropical Storms Elsa and Fred. The recovery took over two months, and the length of such a recovery was in no doubt exacerbated by the supply chain issues already existing.

Preparing for hurricane season is always stressful for coastal residents and that stress will only increase as the years go on. Finding natural solutions to prevent extensive amounts of damage to our residential and natural communities is the smartest course of actions our meteorologists and storm scientists should take in the coming years.