SARASOTA, Fla. -- With the 2014 hurricane season less than two weeks away, forecasters are predicting a slower than usual hurricane season this year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released their outlook on Thursday for the six-month storm season that begins June 1: 70% likelihood of 8-13 named storms of which 3-6 could become hurricanes, including 1-2 major.
Forecasters got it wrong last year when they predicted an unusually busy hurricane season. There were just 13 named storms and two hurricanes — both of them a Category One — and no major hurricanes with winds over 110 mph.
Colorado State University researchers have forecast nine named storms, with just three expected to become hurricanes and one major storm.
But no matter how many storms are predicted, experts say you should always be prepared for one to hit. ABC 7's Todd Dunn will take a look at preparations you can make now so you can be ready if a storm strikes the Suncoast, tonight on ABC 7 News.
