VICKSBURG, Miss -- Saturday marks the first official day of the 2024 hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30. The 2024 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predictions forecast a range of 17 to 25 named storms.
According to NOAA, eight to 13 of the predicted named storms are forecasted to become hurricanes with winds 74 mph or higher, including four to seven major hurricanes with winds 111 mph or higher.
In preparation for the season, Mississippi Valley Division’s Readiness and Contingency Operations office participated in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Are You Ready briefings, which confirms hazard response readiness for the 2024 hurricane season. The briefings also included area of responsibility readiness and recovery capabilities to support FEMA.
Mississippi Valley Division with lessons learned will continue to work closely throughout the 2024 hurricane season with its staff, and local, state and federal partners to respond to threats and impacts that may affect our area of responsibility as safely and timely as possible.
Every year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies, sends hundreds of people to respond to disasters around the world. Here at home, USACE assists the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency as the primary agency for public works and engineering-related emergency support. FEMA assigns USACE missions to include: debris management, temporary housing, temporary roofing, emergency power, infrastructure assessment, and support to urban search and rescue.
Before a hurricane is expected in your area, be sure you have an updated family hurricane plan. Have your hurricane survival kit ready and be familiar with evacuation routes and zones. Be prepared, be aware and take action if the need arises.
For more information on hurricane preparedness measures, visit:
FEMA individual preparedness: www.ready.gov/hurricanes
National Hurricane Center: www.nhcnoaa.gov/prepare
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/hurricane
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