Beryl, the second named storm and first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, ramped up extremely quickly over the weekend largely due to record-warm ocean temperatures, forecasters said.
In just three days the storm intensified from a tropical depression into a powerful Category 3 hurricane with life-threatening winds and storm surge, the National Hurricane Center reported Sunday morning.
Hurricane Beryl is moving fast — 21 mph, as of 8 a.m. Sunday — and is expected to reach the first islands in the eastern Caribbean by Monday morning, the NHC said.
Will Hurricane Beryl hit Florida?
So far, forecasters are not predicting a Florida impact but it’s too early to say for certain. After Beryl moves into the Central Caribbean, where it goes next depends on several factors such as how it interacts with land and an area of high pressure over the southeastern United States that may keep it going west-northwest, according to Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane forecaster.
“Direct impacts to the United States look unlikely; however, it is very important to note that if the high pressure across the Southeast weakens, that can allow the storm to move farther north and potentially directly impact the Gulf Coast,” DaSilva said.
Beryl also could churn up rough seas and cause more dangerous rip currents in the Gulf of Mexico, which have already caused multiple drownings off Florida coasts in the last few weeks.
Beryl marks the beginning of what Colorado State University meteorologists called an “extremely active” season. AccuWeather predicts an “explosive” season that could break the record of 30 named storms and Florida’s Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger calls the new season “hyperactive.” All of them expect at least 20-24 named storms and around four to seven major hurricanes.
Even if Beryl passes us by, it can be a reminder to get your home ready for the eventual hurricane that comes our way. Prepping for storms is much easier and less nerve-wracking while the sky is still blue.
2024 hurricane season preparation: What supplies do you need for a storm? Here’s a list
Getting ready for the 2024 hurricane season
There’s no need to start boarding up your windows now, but you might want to start watching for good prices on plywood or sales on storm shutters and start cleaning up your yard.
PREPARING YOUR HOME OUTSIDE
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If you’ve got room in the garage or storage area, get your plywood early and cut it to fit. (Don’t tape your windows.)
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Trim your trees and shrubs, get rid of any yard debris and remove dead trees and branches.
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Clean out your gutters.
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Check weatherstripping around doors and windows.
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Inspect your roof for loose shingles or flashing.
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Garage doors are usually a very vulnerable part of the house. Are yours in good, sturdy shape?
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Check fences, decorative fountains, satellite dishes, solar panels, gazebos or other big outside structures for damage and repair anything that might come loose. Make sure you have hurricane straps for anything, like a shed, that might need additional anchoring.
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If you have a boat, get it ready.
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Buy and store some tarps.
On a budget? Here’s 5 cheap ways to prepare your home for Florida’s hurricane season
PREPARING YOUR HOME INSIDE
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Inventory your household belongings. Take pictures and store them on a flash drive or in the cloud.
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Check your homeowner’s insurance, and make sure you have flood coverage. (If not, get it now, if you can afford it.)
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Stock up on nonperishable food.
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Get three-month supplies of your regular medications, if your medical plan allows it. If not, be aware that Florida Statute 252.538 waives time restrictions on prescription medication refills under certain conditions.
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Get water, rain gear, cleaning supplies, batteries, first aid, a battery-powered radio, hand-or-solar-powered chargers for your phones, hygiene items for yourself and any kids, and emergency kits.
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Make plans for your pets and livestock.
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Put your most valuable papers into a waterproof container, to be kept on the highest level of your home.
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If you have a grill, get extra propane cylinders or charcoal.
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If your home regularly loses power in storms, it might be time to start shopping for a generator. If you do, also get battery-powered, carbon-monoxide detectors inside your home.
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Get your vehicles checked out to find any potential problems now.
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Make your hurricane plans now so family, friends and neighbors know what to do and where to go. Know your evacuation routes, and be ready to leave when necessary.
No house? You still need to be ready: How do I prepare for a hurricane in my apartment?
Can I prepare if I live in an HOA?
Your homeowners assocation may no longer prevent you from hardening your home against hurricanes, according to a new bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May.
Under HB 293, Hurricane Protections for Homeowners’ Associations, HOAs must create hurricane protection specifications concerning the “color and style” but they cannot prohibit any homeowner from installing or upgrading hurricane protection products.
Permitted hurricane protection products include, but are not limited to roof systems, permanent fixed or roll-down storm shutters, impact-resistant windows and doors, reinforced garage doors, exterior fixed generators, fuel storage tanks and other hurricane protection products used to preserve and protect the structures or improvements on a parcel
When is Florida’s disaster preparedness sales tax holiday?
There are two Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays in Florida this year. The first was during the first two weeks of June. The second one will be from Aug. 24 through Sept. 6.
During that time, there will be no sales tax on specific items for storm prepping such as flashlights under $40, tarps under $100, batteries under $50, generators $3,000 or less, and many more. The busiest months of hurricane season are August through October, with the peak occurring Sept. 10.
Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Hurricane Beryl roars toward Caribbean as Category 3. How to get ready
