The Atlantic hurricane season officially kicks off on June 1, and emergency officials are urging families to lock down their emergency kits before the clouds start rolling in. Even though forecasters are predicting a relatively quiet year on the water, the message from safety experts remains clear: it only takes a single storm to cause a crisis.
For the 2026 season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects a below-normal year, projecting between 8 and 14 named storms. Out of those, only 3 to 6 are predicted to develop into full-blown hurricanes, a outlook that sits below historical averages. Despite the milder forecast, emergency management teams warn against complacency, noting that early preparation is what ultimately saves lives.
A critical piece of that preparation is securing a reliable water supply. When major storms hit, local infrastructure is frequently the first thing to go. Power outages, ruptured pipes, and heavy flooding can instantly contaminate tap water or cut off the supply entirely. Because of this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) points to commercially produced bottled water as a baseline essential for any household kit, advising people to keep it in its original, sealed packaging in a cool, dark place.
READ: NOAA Predicts Quieter Atlantic Hurricane Season, But Warns It Only Takes One Storm
To calculate how much water to store, FEMA recommends a minimum of one gallon of water per person, per day, to cover both drinking and sanitation for several days. However, households should adjust that number upward if they have children, nursing mothers, or family members dealing with an illness. Medical needs—like wound care and taking medications—also draw extra water, and standard summer heat can easily double what an average person needs to drink to stay safe.
Industry leaders are echoing the call to utilize the current window of clear weather to get organized.
“Choosing water first to meet your daily hydration needs is always a smart decision, and during hurricane season, it’s an essential one,” says Matt Herrick, president and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA). “Don’t wait until a storm is on the way to check your supplies. Stock your emergency kit with bottled water now, while skies are clear, so you’re already prepared when it matters most.”
Taking just a brief window of time right now to audit flashlights, non-perishable food, and water supplies prevents the chaotic, last-minute rushes at grocery stores that typically happen when a storm is actively tracking toward land.
“There’s no better time to check your emergency supplies than right now, when there’s no storm bearing down,” Herrick says. “Make sure you have enough bottled water, food, and other essentials to keep your family safe and comfortable for several days.”
The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30.
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