00:00Hurricane season is open, starting today.
00:03NOAA's official forecast is out, and the picture is cautiously optimistic, but carries a real warning.
00:09The agency projects between 8 and 14 named storms this season,
00:13with 3 to 6 reaching hurricane strength, and as many as 3 hitting Category 3 or higher.
00:19The main reason for the quieter outlook is El Nino,
00:23whose windshear tends to break apart storms before they intensify over the Atlantic.
00:27But here is the critical point NOAA's own director repeated.
00:32It only takes one.
00:33One storm-making landfall can be a catastrophic season for the communities in its path.
00:39Coastal residents from Texas to Maine should have their evacuation plans set,
00:43emergency kits stocked,
00:45and know exactly where they would go if a watch is issued.
00:49The season runs through November 30th.
00:51Don't wait for a storm to prepare.
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