Thursday, October 1, 2026
Living within walking distance from the beach presents the threat of one recurring natural hazard. The Atlantic Hurricane Season — which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 — causes catastrophes every year. While this season is projected to be below normal, according to the National Weather Service, they anticipate as many as six storms to become hurricanes, half of which are expected to become major hurricanes.
No matter the storm, catastrophes are powerful
Rather than moving under their own power, Hurricanes are steered across the ocean by large-scale global wind patterns and high-pressure systems. On the East Coast, storms are often grabbed by prevailing winds, which blow from west to east, often causing storms to recurve, turning northward before moving to the northeast. Once hurricanes make landfall, their impacts can be unpredictable. Despite weakening to a tropical storm after making landfall, Hurricane Agnes left parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia with flooding. The storm caused more than $20 billion in estimated damages, according to the National Weather Service. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated New York, making landfall as a post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds. The storm inflicted nearly $98 million in damages and killed 48 people.
How to prepare for hurricane season
The American Red Cross is encouraging households to be ready by understanding what hazards can affect the community and to sign up for free emergency alerts from local government. The Red Cross also urged residents to have “go-kits” including three days of supplies and “stay-at-home kits,” lasting two weeks, filled with critical supplies such as food, water, medicine and other necessities. In the event of a hurricane watch — threat of landfall within 48 hours — Atlantic Beach officials urge residents to assemble five-day supply kits and personal documentation. and personal If a hurricane warning is issued — 36 hours until landfall— residents are encouraged to listen to local officials for advisement on sheltering in place and evacuation. Officials also noted identifying potential evacuation sites.
Community organizations in Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach Mayor Barry Frohlinger said hurricane preparedness remains a top priority as the village heads into another storm season. Last year, the village established an Office of Emergency Management to strengthen its ability to protect lives and property, coordinate with county, state and federal agencies, and maintain essential services during emergencies. Over the past several months, the office has been refining its response plans, using winter storms as opportunities to test procedures and improve coordination among emergency personnel and volunteers. Village officials have also upgraded the municipal website to provide residents with timely emergency alerts through email and text messaging. The village continues to draw lessons from Hurricane Sandy, which caused extensive damage to Atlantic Beach’s boardwalk, trees and infrastructure.
