NOAA's 2025 Hurricane Outlook: A Call for Municipal Preparedness
Hurricane Milton from NOAA's GOES-16 satellite on Oct. 8, 2024. (Image credit: NOAA)
Published: May 22, 2025 | By: Emergency Sandbag Response
Today, NOAA's National Weather Service released its outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, and the forecast calls for heightened vigilance. They predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, with a forecast range of 13 to 19 named storms. Of those, 6 to 10 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). NOAA expresses 70% confidence in these ranges.
This prediction, driven by factors like above-average Atlantic Ocean temperatures, underscores the critical need for municipalities to review and reinforce their emergency preparedness plans now.
“With these models and forecasting tools, we have never been more prepared for hurricane season, and that preparedness must extend to every community at risk.”
Beyond the Forecast: Ensuring Effective On-the-Ground Response
While advanced forecasting is invaluable, the true test of preparedness lies in the ability to rapidly and effectively deploy protective measures when a storm threatens. As Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm highlighted, hurricanes can have impacts far beyond coastal communities, often bringing significant inland flooding. This is where strategic planning for resources like sandbags becomes crucial.
Traditional sandbagging efforts, though well-intentioned, can face significant challenges in terms of:
⏱️ Speed of Deployment: Can critical areas be protected in time?
👥 Labor Requirements: Are enough personnel available without overstretching city resources?
📈 Logistical Scalability: Can you meet the demand if the threat escalates?
An ESR Team Member uses our automatic sandbag filling system
Integrating Innovative Solutions for a Stronger Defense
Emergency Sandbag Response partners with municipalities to address these critical challenges head-on. By establishing a no-upfront-cost contract, your city can secure priority access to our advanced solutions, including:
- Rapid, High-Volume Sandbag Filling: Our system fills a sandbag in approximately 3 seconds, ensuring large quantities are ready when needed.
- Expert Crew Support: Our teams manage the sandbagging operations, allowing your personnel to focus on other vital emergency functions.
- Strategic On-Site Deployment: We bring the capability directly to your most vulnerable areas.
Our mobile units cover more ground, serving multiple locations without bottlenecks.
NOAA's outlook is a clear call to action. It's an opportunity to move beyond hoping for the best and proactively implement measures to build community resilience. While forecasts provide insight, tangible preparation provides protection.
How is your municipality incorporating this new NOAA forecast into its immediate preparedness actions? We encourage city leaders and emergency managers to assess their current flood defense capabilities in light of this prediction.
Take Immediate Action: Assess Your Preparedness
Understanding your city's specific challenges is the first step. Click below to use our quick interactive questionnaire to identify key areas for enhancing your flood response:
📧 For urgent requests or to expedite a contract, please email us at actnow@sandbags.info