Nation's top hurricane forecaster reveals 5 urgent messages for 2026

Hurricane season starts June 1 and the staff at the National Hurricane Center faces one major task in the months to come.

Their mission? Provide consistent and accurate information that stands out above a flood of conflicting and confusing social media messages to convince you to take action when a storm comes knocking.

Center director Michael Brennan and his colleagues within the National Weather Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, are keenly aware of their challenges. They've got a new forecast map and are launching a suite of new or updated products for this season.

As Brennan prepares for his fourth season as center director, he shared with USA TODAY five key things he hopes the tens of millions at-risk from hurricanes will do in the weeks ahead. Brennan has sharpened his message over the years, though it remains consistent. This season he's placing more emphasis on preparing for lengthy power outgages and other deadly conditions after the store - and preventing communications breakdown that can make an already bad situation even worse.