This year's season, from June 1 through Nov. 30, could be more active than those the past couple of years.

(TNS) - Tropical storm and hurricane season kicks off June 1, so it's not too early to get ready.

That was the message federal, state and local emergency planners delivered last week during Hurricane Preparedness Week.

The message is simple: Be prepared.

This year's season, from June 1 through Nov. 30, could be more active than those the past couple of years, experts say.

Hurricane researchers predict this year's tropical storm season could generate a dozen named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes in the Atlantic basin, close to the historic average.

That was the initial seasonal report issued last month by Colorado State University's Tropical Meteorological Project, for years the preeminent storm-forecasting center.

Other researchers, like those at North Carolina State University, predict a more vigorous storm season, with 15 to 18 named storms, eight to 11 hurricanes and three to five major storms.

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