Atlantic hurricane season forecast

Hurricane season began Sunday, and this year's Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be above normal, NOAA meteorologists predicted in their annual forecast.

Why it matters: The outlook comes as the Trump administration explores downsizing or dismantling FEMA, the federal agency tasked with responding to storms and other natural disasters.

• It also comes as North Carolina is still reeling from past hurricanes.

The big picture: This year is likely to have 13 to 19 named storms, with three to five of those being Category 3 hurricanes or stronger, according to National Weather Service director Ken Graham.

• This season isn't expected to be as active as last year's, he said, but it only takes one storm to hit where you live.
• Colorado State University's forecast last month lines up with NOAA's — "above-normal" activity with 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

Zoom in: In response to questions about staffing cuts, Graham and acting NOAA administrator Laura Grimm told reporters last month they are confident in their forecasting ability for the season.

• Graham also told Axios that NWS this year is seeing the same level of interest in weather briefings from their federal partners, including FEMA, compared with last year, despite those cutbacks.
• "We are fully staffed at the Hurricane Center, and we definitely are ready to go," Grimm said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has reiterated the administration's priority to shift FEMA's responsibilities to states.

Between the lines: David Richardson, the acting head of FEMA, has no experience managing natural disasters and acknowledged in private meetings that the agency doesn't yet have a fully formed hurricane response plan, the Wall Street Journal reported.

• "As FEMA transforms to a smaller footprint, the intent for this hurricane season is not well understood," warned an internal review obtained by CNN last week. "Thus FEMA is not ready."

What's next: Authorities urge residents to prepare now for the season by gathering emergency supplies, preparing their homes for storms and making an evacuation plan.

Go deeper: What's new this year from NOAA for hurricane season