Forecasters Expect Few Hurricanes This Season

HONOLULU -- Hurricane season is nearly here, and officials are forecasting another below average season, which runs from the beginning of June through the end of November.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is predicting three to four tropical cyclones in Hawaii's neighborhood this year. That is just a little below the average of four to five storms.

Even so, forecasters said we should not breathe any easier.

"We need to be prepared, just like I was forecasting, a lot more. Because we never know when that one is going to hit us," Jim Weyman said.

Last year, the hurricane center predicted only two or three tropical cyclones in our area. There were actually two.

One of them was Hurricane Flossie, which gave the state, especially the Big Island of Hawaii, a big scare with a close call.

It came within 100 miles south of the Big Island.

While there was little damage, it was still enough of a scare.

Emergency authorities now want us to have up to seven days worth of emergency supplies, including food. Hawaii' isolattion from the rest of the world has a lot to do with that.

It could take a long time for the government and supplies to reach the islands, and so that's why Hawaii residents really need five to seven days worth of material, food and water, to feel protected and prepared.

Authorities say you should have those ready before hurricane season begins June 1.