Brunswick County reminds community to prepare for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season

PUBLIC NOTICE

BOLIVIA, N.C. – June marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts below-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. Brunswick County encourages all community members to start preparing now.

For the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a range of 8 to 14 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 3 to 6 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1 to 3 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA has a 70% confidence in these ranges. An average season has 14 named storms with seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.

The alphabetical list of 2026 Atlantic hurricane names can be found at hurricanes.gov/aboutnames.shtml#atl

To be ReadyBrunswick is to be responsible for your personal and household preparedness efforts, and to stay alert for any events that could impact you and your loved ones. During the month of June, Brunswick County will be doing a weekly countdown for hurricane preparedness. Each week will focus on different actions you and your household can take to prepare for any tropical activity that may impact the area.

For more hurricane preparedness tips from Brunswick County, visit BrunswickCountyNC.gov/hurricanes.

Find information on emergency planning and hurricane safety online at ReadyNC.gov or Ready.gov.

View updates from the National Hurricane Center, a real-time emergency weather map, and additional online resources at nhc.noaa.gov.

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