Hurricane Season 2016: Tropical Storm Danielle Forms

Tampa Bay, FL — Tampa Bay area residents may have nothing to fear from Tropical Storm Danielle, but she serves as a good reminder that Hurricane Season 2016 is officially here.

Danielle, the fourth named storm of 2016, is currently kicking around in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. With maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the storm is moving west at roughly 7 mph and has caused tropical storm warnings to go up from Laguna Verde to Rio Panuco, Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Danielle is the second named storm to form since the June 1 start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Tropical Storm Colin, which brought plenty of rain and flooding to the Tampa Bay area, was the first. With the season set to run through Nov. 30, preparation is important for weathering whatever Mother Nature happens to throw Tampa Bay’s way.

“Smart planning and preparation will help save lives and protect property,” U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said earlier this month. “There is absolutely no downside in preparing for the worst. The Suncoast can’t afford to be complacent given Mother Nature’s unpredictability.”

While pinpointing exactly how any given hurricane season will shape up is difficult at best, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say this season will likely include four to eight Atlantic hurricanes. Between one and four of those storms could reach major hurricane status, meaning winds of 111 mph or more.

Whether the Tampa Bay area will see one of those storms remains a mystery, but it can and does happen here, planners remind.

The last major storm to come close to the region was Hurricane Charley back in August 2004. That category 4 storm struck Charlotte County, leaving four people dead and an estimated 11,000 homes damaged.

The Tampa Bay area hasn’t seen a direct hit from a hurricane in more than 90 years. Even so, experts say the lucky streak isn’t likely to last. It’s not a question of if, but when, forecasters say.

To get ready, residents are urged to create their own emergency kits, including food and water for at least three days. They should also know their evacuation routes, have their renter or homeowner’s insurance documents handy and should have a plan on where to go and what to do if a storm strikes.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

To keep up with storm activity, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website or keep an eye on your local Patch site.

Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center