Get Ready for the Season During Hurricane Preparedness Week
As the start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is quickly approaching, the National Weather Service has designated May 5-11 as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. During this week, people and businesses are strongly encouraged to identify their hurricane-related risks, develop or update response plans, and gather any needed supplies.
Forecasters are expecting a significant amount of storm activity throughout the 2024 hurricane season. According to the Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Weather and Climate Research Center, 2024 is expected to have 170% of the average hurricane activity compared to the seasons between 1991 and 2020.
CSU’s April outlook predicts the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is most likely to be an active, above-average season with a total of 23 named storms, with 11 of these storms that could become hurricanes and five with a high probability of becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or above).
The outlook also includes the probability of major hurricanes making landfall this year:
- 62% for the entire U.S. coastline (average from 1880–2020 is 43%)
- 34% for the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula (average from 1880–2020 is 21%)
- 42% for the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville (average from 1880–2020 is 27%)
- 66% for the Caribbean (average from 1880–2020 is 47%)
For a complete breakdown of landfall probabilities broken out by county, state and country, visit the report here.
CSU reminds all residents and businesses in their forecast, “As is the case with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them.”
Additionally, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced new changes to the forecast and tracking graphic, known as the “cone.” Beginning on or around Aug.15, 2024, NHC will begin issuing an experimental version of the cone graphic that will now include inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings. Previously, the cone graphic only showed watches and warnings for these storms along the coastline of the affected areas.
Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Now is the time to prepare your business and home for severe weather. For further hurricane preparedness resources and information, visit the NAHB Disaster Resources Toolkit or contact Jonathan Falk.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
May 06, 2026
Mortgage Rates, Inflation and Yields All Rise in AprilMortgage rates continued to increase in April as ceasefire negotiations remain inconclusive. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.34% in April, 16 basis points (bps) higher than March.
Workforce Development
May 05, 2026
Philadelphia BIA Member Shifts How Local Community Views the TradesFor Jordan Parisse-Ferrarini, a member of the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia, a career that began with his family’s small business and tools from a pawn shop has flourished into multiple companies, numerous advisory roles and a passion for developing the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Latest Economic News
Economics
May 04, 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb as Inflation Rebounds and Yields RiseMortgage rates continued to increase in April as ceasefire negotiations remain inconclusive. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.34% in April, 16 basis points (bps) higher than March. The average 15-year rate also increased by 13 bps to 5.69%. Despite the recent increase, both rates remain lower than a year ago by 39 bps and 21 bps, respectively.
Economics
May 01, 2026
Student Housing Construction Investment Holds Steady in the First Quarter of 2026Private fixed investment in student dormitories edged up 0.1% in the first quarter of 2026, holding at a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.9 billion. This modest gain marked a third consecutive quarterly increase, despite continued pressures from elevated interest rates. However, on a year-over-year basis, investments in dorms remained almost unchanged.
Economics
Apr 30, 2026
Housing’s Share of GDP Dips Below 16% for First Time Since 2019Housing’s share of the economy was 15.9% in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest estimates of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This share is down from 16.0% in the fourth quarter and is lower than 16.5% registered just one year ago.