How a government shutdown impacts the National Weather Service
As many federal agencies shutter amid the shutdown, NOAA can’t close its doors, but it does have to halt some services.
Hurricane Priscilla has strengthened in the Pacific Ocean and is expected to continue growing this week, potentially reaching major hurricane status within the next couple of days.
The National Hurricane Center said in an early morning advisory on Monday, Oct. 6 that Priscilla was located about 420 miles south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California with maximum sustained winds near 85 mph with higher gusts.
Hurricane center forecasters said additional strengthening is expected before weakening begins by the middle of this week.
Priscilla is moving toward the north-northwest, and this general direction is expected to continue. Forecasters said the center of the system is expected to move parallel to the coast of southwestern Mexico and Baja California Sur through the early-to-middle part of this week.
Priscilla is set to being heavy rain – 2 to 4 inches – to coastal portions of Michoacán and far western Guerrero on Oct. 6. Across Colima, western Jalisco, and the rest of Guerrero along the coast, 1 to 3 inches of rain are expected. This rain will bring a risk of flash flooding, the hurricane center said.
Additionally, swells generated by Priscilla are expected to affect portions of the coast of southwestern and west-central Mexico. They could reach portions of the coast of the southern Baja California peninsula on Oct. 6. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions, hurricane center forecasters warned.
Hurricane Priscilla tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Hurricane Priscilla spaghetti models
Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.
Tropical Storm Octave continues to weaken in Pacific
Tropical Storm Octave, also spinning in the Pacific, is expected to continue to weaken in the next couple of days before dissipating, the hurricane center said.
Octave is currently located about 885 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph with higher gusts.
There are currently no threats to land stemming from Octave.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. “Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.
- Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
- Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
- Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance don’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
- Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters and impact glass. Seal outside wall openings.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.