Hurricane Preparedness Week Promotes Pre-Season Preparation

-Below Normal Storm Activity Anticipated in 2026-

SMYRNA, Del. -In anticipation of the upcoming hurricane season, June 1^st to November 30^th, 2026, Governor Matt Meyer has proclaimed May 18^th to May 22^nd Hurricane Preparedness Week. In support of this, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), along with state, county and local agencies are urging citizens to help communities mitigate against threats posed by hurricanes and other tropical storms.

As the lowest-lying state in the country, hurricane conditions are particularly dangerous. These disasters can produce storm surge, flooding, gale-force winds, beach erosion, and mass power outages that not only impact coastal regions throughout the state but also can create high-risk areas for public safety, businesses, and homes in other areas throughout Delaware.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season will produce below-average activity. Last year, the 2025 season fell within the predicted ranges for named storms and hurricanes despite periods of relative calm and bursts of intense activity. This year, Colorado State University has predicted 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes (category three or higher), which is lower than the 30-year average for hurricanes and storms.

As hurricane season approaches, DEMA urges everyone to act today to be better prepared for tomorrow. Residents are being reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make an active hurricane season. Taking appropriate measures to mitigate risk can significantly reduce damage and help save lives. Understand your risk, begin pre-season preparations now, and make sure that you and your loved ones have multiple ways of receiving weather forecasts and alerts. Understanding what to do before, during, and after a storm will help to maximize the safety of yourself as well as the rest of the community.

"The time to prepare against storm-related damage is before hurricane season begins," said A.J Schall, Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director. "PrepareDe.org is a great resource to assist in planning for all possibilities."

MAKE A PLAN: preparede.org/make-a-plan

• Information is power. Find your evacuation zone at Know Your Zone or flood risk with the Flood Planning Tool.
• Protect your family and home with flood insurance. Most homeowner policies do not cover flooding, and a policy can take up to 30 days to go into effect. Learn more at Floodsmart.gov.
• Hurricane housekeeping means decluttering drains and gutters; inspecting and trimming trees and dead limbs in addition to securing loose items.
• Ensure that your gas tank is at least half full in the event of an emergency evacuation. This makes sure that you will have enough fuel to safely leave without relying on crowded gas stations
• Create, review, and update your family communications plans. Ensure you have a plan for emergency meeting locations, contact information, exit routes, and out-of -state contacts in the event of separation. Include children in your plan and help them practice it. Read Prepare with Pedro at ready.gov.
• Account for seniors and those with special needs with the DHSS Office of Preparedness and its Preparedness Buddy. The University of Delaware has additional resources at allreadyde.org/.
• Because pets are our family, access resources at the Office of Animal Welfare and Delaware Animal Response Program.

BUILD A KIT: preparede.org/build-a-kit/.

• It is recommended that your kit should contain enough supplies to last for 5-7 days. Include a first aid kit, flashlights, radios, matches in a waterproof container, and batteries.
• Make sure your kit contains enough supplies, and you have a kit for each family member. Think of non-perishable food, water, medications, infant formula, and diapers for small children. This includes pet supplies like extra food and water, carriers, pet meds, and other items they may need.
• Keep a small amount of cash in the event that ATMs are not working.
• Consider a generator or other backup. Only use a generator OUTDOORS and away from windows.
• Have a cell phone power bank or portable car charger and charge phones beforehand.
• Check on neighbors to ensure they are safe, prepared and have the necessary supplies. Consider implementing a neighborhood "Preparedness Buddy" system for assistance in emergency incidents.
• Review insurance coverage and document property with photographs in case of an insurance claim. This can assist with accelerating the claims process.
• Make secure digital copies of all documents and keep original documents in a safe, waterproof container in case of power and communication outages.

STAY INFORMED: preparede.org/stay-informed.

• Sign up for emergency alerts through the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS). If an evacuation notice is issued, it will be sent by text, phone call, email, and social media.
• Understand the difference between a Hurricane Watch versus a Hurricane.
• Sign up at https://www.ready.gov/fema-app to receive National Weather Service alerts for up to three locations.
• Tune in to Local TV or radio to learn about storms and potential evacuations for your specific zone.

RESOURCES:

• Delaware Emergency Management Agency
• DelDOT State Evacuation Routes
• DelDOT Mobile Phone App - FREE
• FEMA Mobile Phone App - FREE
• FEMA General Hurricane Information
• FEMA General Evacuation Information
• NOAA National Hurricane Center Hurricane Tracker
• NOAA National Weather Service Hurricane Preparedness
• HurricaneStrong.org
• City of Wilmington Office of Emergency Management
• New Castle County Office of Emergency Management
• Sussex County Emergency Operations Center

ABOUT DEMA

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is the lead state agency for the coordination of comprehensive emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services to save lives, protect Delaware's economic base, and reduce the impact of emergencies. DEMA is a division within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) and is authorized by the Delaware Code.

Social Media: Delaware Emergency Management Agency on Facebook X and Instagram