ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. (WITN) – Saturday kicked off the start of The 2024 Hurricane Season and homeowners along the Crystal Coast are starting to prepare.

“With the start of hurricane season, that can often bring up a lot of anxiety for people who have been through some pretty bad storms,” WITN Chief Meteorologist Zach Holder said.

The season runs from June 1st to November 30th, with the National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration predicting above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic.

Atlantic Beach homeowner Alisa Bullard is no stranger to hurricane season as her home got hit by Tropical Storm Idalia in August of 2023, pushing over 6 inches of water into her home. Bullard said she just finished fixing the home and is preparing differently this season.

“We’re gonna put some sandbags to make sure we get the front door blocked off and on the sides because my house is not on stilts,” Bullard said.

Guiselle Harrison has owned her home for 20 years and says placing down sandbags to prepare for a hurricane may present itself as a challenge.

“I would like to be prepared to do that but I’m too old for that. I cannot pick it up,” Harrison said.

According to Holder, even though in 2023 there were only two tropical storms to make landfall in the U.S., it only takes one storm to be a really bad hurricane season, so it’s important to be prepared.

“Make sure we’re focused on what’s out there, what’s gonna impact us,” Holder said. “The good thing about hurricanes is we see them coming. Usually gives s a few days of preparation to get ready for them.”

Metrologists say it is important to have a preparedness kit on hand with essentials such as non-perishable foods, flashlights, medications, and toiletries.