Getting ready for the Atlantic hurricane season

Thousands visit NOAA hurricane experts and see Hurricane Hunter aircraft first-hand

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NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Reserve joined forces again and embarked on an 11 city fly-in this spring to urge everyone living in hurricane-prone locations to plan ahead for the hurricane season. At each stop in the Caribbean and along the U.S. east coast, the public and media had the chance to take a tour of the planes and meet the brave scientists and aviators that fly around and directly into the eye of a tropical cyclone.

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Kermit prepares to leave

NOAA42 mascot Kermit the Frog prepares for takeoff, traveling to five cities in the eastern U.S. to raise awareness of the approaching hurricane season. May 5, 2019.
NOAA has two WP-3D turboprop aircraft used for both research and operational missions. NOAA 42, also known as Kermit, is poised for takeoff from NOAA's Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida. Kermit and crew traveled to six cities in the Carribean, and five cities along the Atlantic coastline of the United States (NOAA)
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U.S. Air Force Reserve arrives in Aruba

The USAF Reserve WC-130J “hurricane hunter” arrives in Aruba for the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour. The planes and crews are with the USAF 403rd Wing, 53rd Reserve, located at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. During the 2018 hurricane season, the 53rd WRS flew 43 missions over the Atlantic basin.
The USAF Reserve WC-130J “hurricane hunter” arrives in Aruba for the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour. The planes and crews are with the USAF 403rd Wing, 53rd Reserve, located at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. During the 2018 hurricane season, the squadron flew 43 missions over the Atlantic basin. (NOAA)
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Meeting with school children

NHC Director Ken Graham speaks with children at the Curacao stop of the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour, one of six stops. The others are Veracruz and Cozumel, Mexico; San Jose, Costa Rica; Aruba; and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
National Hurricane Center Director Ken Graham speaks with children at the airport in Curacao. Having the opportunity to meet with school children and talk about hurricanes, meteorology, and safety is one of the primary goals of the tour. (NOAA)
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Preparing to take-off for the next destination

The NOAA Pilot readies the WD-P3 Orion aircraft for another stop on the Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour. Based at NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Fla., the plane flies both research and operational missions into the heart of the tropical cyclone. April 11, 2019.
A NOAA Corps pilot reviews his checklist prior to departing for another stop on the awareness tour. NOAA's Hurricane Hunters are always prepared, do you have a hurricane checklist for your home and family? (NOAA)
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Partners in the media help promote preparedness

Members of the media gather round USAF pilot Lt.Col Jeff Ragusa in Charlotte, N. Car., as he describes how the plane flies in and out of a hurricane. A critical part of the Awareness Tours is the participation of the media. The videos and interviews are seen on broadcast and social media, reaching as many people as possible to raise awareness. May 9, 2019.
Members of the media gather around USAF pilot Lt. Col. Jeff Ragusa in Charlotte, North Carolina, as he describes how the plane flies in and out of a hurricane. A critical part of the awareness tour is the participation of the media. The videos and interviews are seen on broadcast and social media, reaching as many people as possible to raise awareness. (NOAA)
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A job well done

he flight crew of the NOAA WD-P3 aircraft celebrate the end of a successful six day tour that stretched from Mexico to Puerto Rico. The hurricane season begins officially on June 1st. Are you prepared?
After visiting 11 cities over a two week period, the flight crew of the NOAA WD-P3 aircraft celebrate the end of a successful hurricane awareness tour. The hurricane season begins officially on June 1st.  Are you ready? (NOAA)
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For the latest forecasts and information about hurricanes visit and bookmark NOAA's National Hurricane Center. Additional hurricane safety resources:

More Photos

Photo story: Fighting fire with forecasts
Photo story: So how do you maintain a huge weather buoy network?
NOAA team sees Florence and Michael storm surge devastation first-hand
Photo story: Measuring Hurricane Matthew's storm surge impact
Photo story: Behind the scenes at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center
View all