As Ian threatens to make landfall somewhere along western or north Florida by the middle of next week, there is still time to prepare.

2021 was another historic hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin. Once again, we used all the names in the list —all 21 of them! Out of these 21, 7 were hurricanes and 4 of those were major hurricanes. There was a total of 193 fatalities and it was the third costliest tropical season on record.

Regardless of how calm the 2022 hurricane season has been so far, we know that it only takes one. There are plenty of ingredients present to form storms and for them to intensify, often quickly.

Sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic are warmer than average, and models show that La Niña’s chances of lingering through summer are increasing. This would be a crucial ingredient that would allow tropical systems to grow, supporting their developmental cycle.

In fact, one of the most reliable hurricane forecasts highlighted in recent weeks predicts that we could have up to 19 named storms. The most important fact to remember is that hurricane forecasts are used for guidance, and they cannot point us to where a storm, or hurricane, might land. It only takes one storm to make it a busy (and devastating) season for you.

Since 2000, there have been 12 years, including the last 7 consecutive years, where we have had storms forming as early as April, and even one in January (Hurricane Alex in 2016). An early storm can be as devastating as a regular-season storm if the right conditions and patterns are present.

Don’t let one storm become a problem. Here are some preparations you can do now to save time, headaches, and money in case a storm threatens: