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-high ocean temperatures, forecasters said.

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

Hurricane Beryl is moving fast – 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 could 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 passes by, it may remind you to prepare your home for the possible hurricane that hits us. Preparing for storms is much easier and less stressful when the sky is 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.

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

PREPARE THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME

If you have room in the garage or storage area, get your plywood early 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 might come loose. Make sure you have hurricane straps for anything, such as a shed, that might need extra 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 THE INTERIOR OF YOUR HOME

Take inventory of your belongings. Take photos and store them on a USB stick 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, hand or solar chargers for your phones, hygiene items for you and your children, and emergency kits.
Make plans for your pets and livestock.
Put your most precious papers in a waterproof container, to be kept at 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 start purchasing a generator. If you do, also install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors inside your home.
Have your vehicles checked now for any potential 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 ready: 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 hurricane-proofing your home, 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 roll-up 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 the Florida sales tax exemption for disaster preparedness take place?

There will be two disaster preparedness tax holidays in Florida this year. The first will take place during the first two weeks of June. The second will take place from August 24 to September 6.

During this period, there will be no sales tax on certain storm preparedness items, such as flashlights under $40, tarps under $100, batteries under $50 , generators $3,000 or less, and many 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.