It's that time of year again. Hurricane season is upon us.

Hurricane Season runs from June 1, 2022 to Novemer 30, 2022

Hurricane Safety Information

It's that time of year again. Hurricane season is upon us.
Hurricane Season runs from June 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season will likely once again bring above-average activity, according to one of the first major hurricane season outlooks of the year, released by Colorado State University's Phil Klotzbach.

The outlook calls for nine hurricanes and four hurricanes that reach at least Category 3 strength. This is in comparison to the 1991-2020 average of seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. The outlook cites neutral to cool El Niño-Southern Oscillations (ENSO) conditions and warmer than average water temperatures in the Caribbean and subtropical Atlantic as indicators for the active hurricane season.

The outlook compiled a list of hurricane seasons that might be similar to what we might expect this season and it happens to include 2021, which had 21 named storms, seven hurricanes, and four hurricanes that reached Category 3 status or greater.

Other seasons include 1996, 2000, 2001, 2008, and 2012. The average activity for those six seasons was 8.5 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. This list was built based on years that similar ENSO conditions in March and similar forecasts for ENSO during the season.

This outlook serves as a reminder that hurricane season will quickly be upon us. Over the last 10 seasons, eight have started before June 1st, including every season dating to 2015.

When monitoring a storm, be sure to get your information from an OFFICIAL source such as The National Hurricane Center AND/OR The National Weather Service

The best protection during and after a hurricane is advance preparation both at home and at work. Just as we have an emergency preparedness plan for the 20th Judicial Circuit, you should have one for your family and home.

Our first concern is the safety of our employees and your families. Next, is the need to keep the courts open and functioning or in the event of a closure to reopen the court on at least a mission essential basis as quickly as possible.

When storms develop, we monitor the progress closely. Should one threaten our area, you will be notified of actions to be taken in a number of ways: email, social media direct communications from Court managers and supervisors, and information releases through the media (TV, radio, newspapers).

Here are links to the Circuit's social media accounts:

We have also implemented the Send Word Now emergency notification system. This will allow Court Administration to contact employees via email, text, and phone. It also allows for two-way-communication so you can let us know you received the notification and are ok.

In the event that a "Hurricane Warning" is issued for all or part of our area, the Chief Judge will decide whether the affected courts should be closed. Employees will be directed to go home and prepare for the storm.

Following a storm, you will be notified to return to work in a number of ways: Send Word Now, information releases to the media, Internet, and/or direct contact by a supervisor or court manager. You can also check the 20th Judicial Circuit Information hotline number at (239) 533-1773. The hotline will provide information on closures/ openings for all five counties in the 20th Judicial Circuit.

To assist you in planning and preparing for a storm you may find the following websites helpful. Share these with your friends and family to ensure that they're prepared.

County Emergency Management Links: