The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, but tropical systems can develop before or after those dates. Every resident in hurricane-prone areas should have a preparedness plan before the first storm threatens.

The World Meteorological Organization says it does not use “super El Niño” as an operational classification; forecasters generally classify ENSO strength by sea-surface temperature anomalies in the central-eastern equatorial Pacific, especially the Niño 3.4 region.

When Melissa made landfall near New Hope in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica, sustained winds reached 185 miles per hour, with a central pressure of 892 millibars—among the lowest ever recorded for an Atlantic landfall.

Flash flooding is one of the most dangerous and fast-moving natural hazards, capable of turning a calm creek into a raging torrent in minutes. With extreme weather events on the rise, understanding flash floods—and how to stay safe—has never been more important. Recent events in Texas’ Hill Country remind us just how quickly disaster can strike. Here’s what causes flash floods, how to protect yourself, and how to help communities recover.