Forecasters Warn North Carolina Residents to Brace for More Hurricanes in 2025

RALEIGH, N.C. – While the 2025 hurricane season has been relatively quiet so far, forecasters are warning that conditions are ripe for a significant increase in storm activity — and North Carolina residents should be on high alert in the coming weeks.

Warm Waters and La Niña Could Fuel Activity

Experts say that warm Atlantic waters and the potential arrival of La Niña conditions could push the season into a much more active phase. Updated forecasts from the National Hurricane Center and Colorado State University still call for up to 18 named storms and 2–5 major hurricanes this year.

Corey Davis, North Carolina’s assistant state climatologist, warned that the Atlantic is heating up and could remain active through the next couple of months. “The water across the basin is plenty warm enough for storms to form, and we’ve already seen a couple of examples of storms forming right along our coastline,” Davis said.

A Slow Start Doesn’t Mean Safety

So far, 2025 has seen only four named storms, including the short-lived Tropical Storm Dexter and the more impactful Tropical Storm Chantal. While wind shear and African dust have limited development early in the season, meteorologist Dr. Michael Mann from the University of Pennsylvania cautioned that “if La Niña develops this fall, we could see things ramp up further.”

Peak Season Approaching

Historically, the peak of hurricane season falls around September 10, with the most active period running from mid-August through mid-October. Past storms during this window — such as Hurricanes Fran, Floyd, Florence, Matthew, and Hazel — have left lasting scars on North Carolina.

Davis noted that in recent years, it’s not just hurricanes that cause the most damage. Heavy rain and flooding from unnamed storms have caused significant destruction, including last September’s surprise system that swamped Pleasure Island and Brunswick County.

Preparedness is Key

Officials stress that residents should not wait for a hurricane warning to begin preparing. Even weaker systems can bring deadly flooding and prolonged power outages. The warm waters in the Gulf and Caribbean also raise the risk of rapid storm intensification, a growing threat as the season progresses.

“It’s a good reminder that people don’t need to wait to hear that ‘hurricane’ buzzword to start preparing for impacts,” Davis emphasized.

Have you updated your hurricane kit this year? Share your preparedness tips in the comments and help your neighbors stay safe — only on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.