Federal Forecasters Predict a Slower than Usual Atlantic Hurricane Season

Forecasters expect anywhere between 8 and 13 tropical storms along the Atlantic coast this hurricane season, which they say is lower than normal. 

Representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the predictions today at a press conference.  NOAA Administrator Kathryn D. Sullivan says the administration has developed tools to track storms sooner and better predict their impact. 

Sullivan says a possible El Nino could warm waters and increase winds, which could prevent some hurricanes from fully taking form.  But she says people still have to be prepared.

"No percentage number, no probability number, high or low, erases the fact that the real message is: one storm can wreak tremendous havoc," she said.

Memories of Superstorm Sandy have New York City getting ready for the worst. 

Joseph F. Bruno's the city's Emergency Management Commissioner.  He's announced a new campaign called Know Your Zone.  It refines the evacuation process and educates residents about what to do in an emergency.  Bruno says during Superstorm Sandy many residents in high flood risk areas didn't evacuate.  And he says the bottom line is, if the city says get out, get out.

"There is not one of us that can withstand the surge and protect their house when it is under attack by nature," he said.

New Yorkers can find their flood zone on nyc.gov or by calling 311. Hurricane season officially begins in June.