Predicted 2026 hurricane season and how to prepare in SC. Five things to know

Forecasters are calling for a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, but emergency officials warn that complacency could be the biggest threat for South Carolina coastal communities. Here’s a quick look at what’s predicted and how to get ready before the next storm forms.

Read the full stories here: Horry County due for another major hurricane. Will it be this year? What to know; What SC can expect from Atlantic hurricane forecast. How many are predicted for 2026?

Here are five key takeaways:

• The forecast: NOAA is predicting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season with eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. The agency gave the season a 55% chance of finishing below normal.
• Why activity is expected to slow: Forecasters say there is a 98% chance an El Niño will develop later in the season, with an 80% chance it becomes moderate or strong. El Niño tends to increase vertical wind shear over the Atlantic, which makes it harder for hurricanes to form and strengthen.
• Don’t let “below normal” fool you: Colorado State University predicts 2026 activity at about 75% of the long-term average, with 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. Officials note that Category 5 storms have made landfall during below-normal seasons before, so a quieter forecast does not mean a safer one.
• Horry County is overdue: Meteorologists have warned the area is due for another major hurricane — the last was Hurricane Hugo in 1989, and before that Hurricane Hazel in 1954. Inland flooding has become a growing hazard, and the county’s free Map Your Move tool lets residents check flood zones, evacuation zones and storm surge risks.
• How to prepare now: Emergency managers recommend building a kit with water, non-perishable food, batteries, chargers, a radio, first aid supplies, flashlights, IDs, important documents, cash, medications, pet supplies and extra clothes. Residents should also plan to be self-sufficient for the first 72 hours after a storm, since flooding and debris can delay emergency crews from reaching some neighborhoods.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.