Preparing for Hurricane Season 2026

Natural disasters are extreme events caused by natural processes of the Earth that can result in damage to people, property, infrastructure, and the environment. Hurricanes are the highest-ranking natural disaster threat to Broward County. The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins on June 1, 2026, and runs through November 30, 2026.

Holy Cross Health begins preparing for hurricane season months in advance by attending learning seminars and engaging in ongoing coordination with Broward County Office of Emergency Management and the Broward County Healthcare Coalition. The Broward County Healthcare Coalition (BCHC) is a collaborative network of organizations that serves as a multi-agency coordinating group to enhance healthcare system emergency management activities across Broward County. Exercises and partnerships provided through BCHC provide valuable insights as we work to mitigate vulnerabilities and strengthen preparedness each year.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), plays a critical role in monitoring and forecasting tropical weather. NOAA’s mission includes understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts while sharing that knowledge to help protect lives and property.

While seasonal forecasts for 2026 will continue to evolve, recent years have demonstrated a trend toward above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin. Even in seasons predicted to be average, it only takes one storm making landfall to create significant impacts for our community. NOAA 2026 predictions include:

• 8–14 Named Storms (≥39 mph) 
• 3–6 Hurricanes (≥74 mph) 
• 1–3 Major Hurricanes (Category 3+, ≥111 mph)

Although hurricane season begins in June, historical data indicates that September remains the peak month for hurricane and tropical storm activity in the Atlantic Basin. It is important to remember that forecasts are not exact; slight changes in a storm’s track can significantly alter both the location and severity of impacts. For this reason, hurricane watches and warnings are issued based on risk to an area, not certainty of direct impact.
Recent storms continue to highlight the importance of preparedness:

• Hurricane Melissa (2025) became the strongest storm of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season and one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record. As a Category 5 hurricane, Melissa brought devastating impacts to parts of the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica and Haiti, resulting in significant fatalities and billions in damages. 
• Hurricane Helene (2024) struck the Southeastern United States as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread destruction across Florida, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Historic inland flooding resulted in significant loss of life and made Helene one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
• Hurricane Ian (2022) devastated Southwest Florida when it made landfall near Fort Myers Beach as a Category 4 hurricane. It was one of the deadliest hurricanes in Florida’s history, with catastrophic storm surge and prolonged impacts due to its size and slow movement.

These storms underscore a critical lesson: hurricane impact is not determined by category alone. Factors such as storm size, forward speed, storm surge, rainfall, and track all contribute to the level of destruction. Hurricane Melissa, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Ian had significantly larger wind fields and more severe surge impacts than earlier Category 4 storms like Hurricane Charley (2004), leading to far greater damage and loss of life.

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season 2026

Community members may ensure their safety this Hurricane Season by taking advantage of resources available.  The Florida Division of Emergency Management provides the following as a checklist to assure residents know the recommended supplies to get them safely through a storm:  

https://www.floridadisaster.org/kit

It is also important to understand evacuation zones and shelter options. Broward County’s Division of Emergency Management offers a comprehensive Hurricane preparedness guide; as well as offering a Special Needs Shelter and Evacuation Transportation Assistance Program for those who qualify. To learn more regarding these resources, please reference the below links or contact (954) 831-3902:

Hurricane Preparedness Guide

https://www.broward.org/AtRisk/Documents/ShelterEvacTransportOverview.pdf 
 

Community Well-Being and Hurricane Preparedness 

Holy Cross Health holds our Core Value of Safety in the highest regard. Through community partnerships, ongoing preparation, and information sharing in an ever-changing environment, we remain committed to being the community’s most trusted Health Partner for Life.