How to prepare for Florida's hurricane season

Hurricane season is upon us yet again.

Why it matters: Preparing ahead now can save you time, money and loads of aggravation among anxious crowds at Costco when a storm hits.

What's happening: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near-normal season — which ends Nov. 30 — with 12 to 17 named storms. (A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms. It becomes a tropical storm when winds hit 39 mph or higher.)

• Of those, 5 to 9 could become hurricanes, meaning they have winds of 74 mph or higher.
• One to 4 could become a major hurricane (category 3, 4, or 5), with winds of 111 mph or higher, per NOAA.

Be smart: The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends having a disaster plan in place for your family and business.

• Put together a disaster supply kit with items like food and water, first aid supplies, insurance documents, flashlights, batteries and medicine.
• Know which evacuation zone you're in and have a battery-operated or hand-crank radio to receive alerts if the power goes out.
• Keep gas tanks half full and electric vehicles charged at 50-80% capacity.
• And be ready to help neighbors and friends.

Of note: Statewide sales tax is waived on items such as batteries, radios, generators, soaps and pet supplies through June 9.

• A second sales tax holiday runs from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8.

Between the lines: The World Meteorological Organization has lists of names for each of the basins where tropical cyclones form.

• For the Atlantic, it cycles through the same six lists except when the name of a major storm is retired; then an international WMO committee chooses a replacement at its annual meeting.
• This year, get ready to meet tropical storms Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert and more.
• Andrew, Wilma, Ian and Katrina are all retired.
• In our region, male and female names alternate. In the Northern Indian Ocean, the names are gender-neutral.