Hurricane Beryl is heading towards the Caribbean as a Category 3. How to prepare

Beryl, the second named storm and first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, intensified extremely quickly over the weekend, largely due to record ocean temperatures, forecasters said.

In just three days, the storm intensified from a tropical depression to a powerful Category 3 hurricane with life-threatening winds and storm surge, the National Hurricane Center reported Sunday morning.

Hurricane Beryl is moving quickly – 21 mph, as of 8 a.m. Sunday – and is expected to reach the eastern Caribbean islands by Monday morning, the NHC said.

Will Hurricane Beryl hit Florida?

So far, forecasters aren’t predicting any impact in Florida, but it’s too early to say for sure. Where Beryl goes after it moves toward the central Caribbean will depend on several factors, including how it interacts with land and a high-pressure area over the southeastern United States that could keep it tracking west-northwest, according to Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s senior hurricane forecaster.

“Direct impacts to the United States appear unlikely; however, it is very important to note that if the high pressure in the Southeast weakens, it may allow the storm to move further north and potentially have a direct impact on the Gulf Coast,” DaSilva said.

Beryl could also kick up rough seas and cause more dangerous rip currents in the Gulf of Mexico, which have already caused multiple drownings off the coast of Florida in recent weeks.

Beryl marks the start of what Colorado State University meteorologists called an “extremely active” season. AccuWeather predicts an “explosive” season that could break the record for 30 named storms and Dr. Ryan Truchelut, WeatherTiger’s chief meteorologist for Florida, calls the new season “hyperactive.” All are forecasting at least 20 to 24 named storms and about four to seven major hurricanes.

Even though Beryl is passing by, it can be a reminder to prepare our home for the possible hurricane on the horizon. Preparing for storms is much easier and less stressful when the skies are still blue.

Preparing for the 2024 hurricane season: What supplies do you need in a storm? Here is a list

Preparing for the 2024 Hurricane Season

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

It is important to take these steps before hurricane season.

Problem solved, USA TODAY

There’s no need to start boarding up your windows right now, but you may want to start watching for good plywood prices or storm shutter sales and start cleaning up your yard.

PREPARE YOUR HOME OUT

If you have space in your garage or storage area, get your plywood ahead of time and cut it to size. (Don’t tape your windows.)
Prune your trees and shrubs, get rid of all garden debris and remove dead trees and branches.
Clean your gutters.
Check the weather stripping around doors and windows.
Inspect your roof for loose shingles or flashing.
Garage doors are usually a very vulnerable part of the house. Is yours in good condition and sturdy?
Check fences, decorative fountains, satellite dishes, solar panels, gazebos or other large outdoor structures for damage and repair anything that may come loose. Make sure you have hurricane straps for anything, like a shed, that might need additional anchoring.
If you have a boat, prepare it.
Buy and store tarps.

On a budget? Here are 5 inexpensive ways to prepare your home for hurricane season in Florida

PREPARE YOUR HOME INSIDE

Take inventory of your belongings. Take photos and store them on a USB drive or in the cloud.
Check your home insurance and make sure you have flood coverage. (If not, buy it now, if you can afford it.)
Stock up on non-perishable foods.
Obtain a three-month supply of your usual medications, if your medical plan allows it. Otherwise, be aware that Florida Statute 252.538 waives time restrictions on prescription drug refills under certain conditions.
Get water, rain gear, cleaning supplies, batteries, first aid, a battery-powered radio, manual or solar chargers for your phones, hygiene items for yourself and your children, as well as emergency kits.
Make plans for your pets and livestock.
Place your most valuable papers in a waterproof container, kept on the highest level of your home.
If you have a grill, get extra propane tanks or charcoal.
If your home regularly loses power during storms, it may be time to purchase a generator. If so, install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors inside your home as well.
Have your vehicles checked now for possible problems.
Make your hurricane plans now so your family, friends and neighbors know what to do and where to go. Know your evacuation routes and be prepared to leave if necessary.

No house? You still need to be prepared: How can I prepare for a hurricane in my apartment?

Can I prepare if I live in an HOA?

Your homeowners association can no longer prevent you from strengthening your home against hurricanes, according to a new bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May.

Under HB 293, Hurricane Protections for Homeowners Associations, HOAs must create hurricane protection specifications regarding “color and style,” but they cannot prohibit any homeowner from installing or upgrading hurricane protection products.

Permitted hurricane protection products include, but are not limited to, roofing systems, permanent fixed or rolling storm shutters, impact-resistant windows and doors, reinforced garage doors, outdoor fixed generators, fuel storage tanks and other hurricane protection products used to preserve and protect structures or improvements on a parcel.

When will Florida pay its sales taxes for disaster preparedness?

There are two sales tax exemptions for disaster preparedness in Florida this year. The first took place during the first two weeks of June. The second will take place from August 24 to September 6.

During this time, there will be no sales tax on some storm preparedness items, such as flashlights under $40, tarps under $100, batteries under $50, generators $3,000 or less, and more. The busiest months of hurricane season are August through October, with the peak occurring on September 10.

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida contributed to this story.