The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration doesn’t wait until the official start of summer to declare the onset of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

While New England hasn’t experienced a direct hit of hurricane-force winds for several years, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency still strongly recommends that residents, visitors, and businesses here take preemptive steps to help lessen the likelihood of physical injury or property damage from a tropical system.

“When it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can have devastating impacts on our Massachusetts coastlines and inland communities, the best approach is to be proactive,” said MEMA Director Dawn Brantley. “It can feel that these types of storms are far away or unlikely to impact us, but preparing early, by taking steps such as building an emergency kit and making an emergency plan, can help save lives.”

NOAA forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center anticipate an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with a range of 13-19 named storms. Last year’s Atlantic hurricane season produced above-average activity with 18 named storms.

While wind damage may seem like the most common effects of a tropical system, in many cases flooding from torrential rain represents the main threat.

Just remember all the damage sustained by Fitchburg, Leominster and other Massachusetts communities in July and September of 2023 from torrential rain over a short period of time.

Leominster and Fitchburg both experienced catastrophic flash flooding, resulting in widespread damage. However, in Leominster, nearly a foot of rain fell over the night of Sept. 11, 2023. The flooding caused damage to a significant number of roads, with some collapsing into sinkholes. Many cars, homes, and businesses were damaged, requiring water rescues and evacuations. The city’s infrastructure sustained about $30 million in damages, with around 1,400 homeowners filing claims with FEMA.

You can prepare for the worst by learning important weather warning terminology, finding out if you live or work within a hurricane evacuation zone, signing up for emergency alerts, making an emergency plan for you or your family, and building an emergency kit.

If you or someone you know is elderly or disabled, you may need to take additional preparatory steps.

• Knowing the terminology will help individuals understand a storm’s potential severity:

To alert the public of hazardous conditions, the National Weather Service issues hurricane watches or warnings. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions could occur within the next 48 hours. A hurricane warning means to expect sustained winds equal to or greater than 74 miles per hour to affect a specific area within 24 hours.

• Stay informed about changing conditions:

Emergency alerts play an important role in ensuring that everyone can stay safe during a natural disaster. Make sure you have emergency alerts enabled on your cell phone, and subscribe to any public safety alert system available in your community.

It’s important to have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Listen to your local news and NOAA radio and follow public safety accounts on social media.

Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools, including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social and traditional news media, Mass 2-1-1 and local notification systems on MEMA’s website.

• Know your evacuation zone:

These are areas known to be particularly prone to flooding. If you live in an evacuation zone, it’s important to have a plan in place. You can view MEMA’s interactive map to learn if either your home or workplace lies within a hurricane evacuation zone. Visit Mass.gov/KnowYourZone.

Consider where you would go and how you would keep in contact with friends and family if you needed to evacuate. If you may need assistance evacuating due to a disability or lack of transportation, plan with family, neighbors, and friends who may be able to assist, and contact your local public safety officials to make them aware of your needs.

• Make an emergency plan:

That can help keep you and others out of harm’s way during a disaster. A plan should include how to communicate, evacuate, and shelter in place if needed. Be sure to account for the needs of others, including older adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and pets.

If you receive medical treatment or home health-care services, work with your medical provider to determine how to maintain care and service if you are unable to leave your home or have to evacuate.

• Build an emergency kit:

Prepare one that will sustain your household for three to five days without power. Kits should include water, food, flashlight, batteries, prescription medications, supplies for your pets and important documents.

MEMA will share accessible preparedness and safety information throughout hurricane season. For more resources, visit the Hurricane Safety Tips section of MEMA’s website at mass.gov/MEMAhurricanes.

Here in New England, hurricanes might sound like someone else’s problem, but it just takes the prospect of one bearing down on us for these precautions to hit home.