Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently noted that the pattern of increasingly severe precipitation, especially in the Northeast, is forecasted to continue as global average temperatures rise. For every degree of warming in Fahrenheit, the atmosphere can hold about 3%-4% more moisture, the agency explained. Global temperatures in 2023 were more than 2 degrees Fahrenheit above the pre-industrial average, and with particular heat records being set in Connecticut, it’s no surprise that precipitation records were also set as the atmosphere’s moisture capacity increased.
Hurricane Season is just days away in CT. Heres what to expect and how to stay safe.
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Hartford Courant
May 27, 2026
By Stephen Underwood | sunderwood@courant.com
As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, Connecticut officials said they are prepared in case a storm makes landfall this year.
Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, according to AccuWeather.
“We have not had a hurricane make landfall since Gloria in 1985, but we’ve had a number of very close calls and tropical storms that have brought significant change and challenges to our state,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz at a hurricane preparedness briefing in East Haven.
“In Connecticut, there can be lots of water really quickly and lots of heavy rain. So if you don’t live in a place where you don’t live close to the beach, you should still pay attention because we remember what happened in Oxford and the Naugatuck Valley in 2024.”
“Be prepared and have an emergency plan for your family,” Bysiewicz said. “Have an emergency kit ready at all times with first aid, food, water, battery powered radios, flashlights and other supplies. Also, learn where your evacuation route is and where the designated shelters are in your area. Check with your insurance company about your homeowners insurance. Some policies don’t cover damage from a hurricane.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, as El Niño is expected to increase disruptive winds and reduce storm activity, especially later in the season, weather officials said.
AccuWeather experts said there is a 15% possibility of a Super El Niño developing in the second half of the hurricane season.
While New England has been impacted by several hurricane events, the last to make direct landfall was Hurricane Bob in 1991, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva.
Hurricane Irene, which slammed into North Carolina in August 2011, impacted Connecticut as Tropical Storm Irene. While the storm did not impact the state as a true hurricane, it caused over $15 million in damages.
William Turner, Connecticut emergency management director, said the state is “working tirelessly” with town partners and volunteers to prepare for the next hurricane or tropical storm event. He said that storm preparedness is an essential component of the state’s emergency management and readiness.
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection has several resources for those looking to learn more about hurricane and storm preparedness and living in flood zones, he noted.
“We urge people to check the website to see if you live in one of our evacuation zones,” Turner said. “As we saw with the Naugatuck Valley flooding, unfortunately we saw deaths there and catastrophic damage. While we were doing that flood damage, we heard from so many homeowners that they didn’t live in a flood plain or that they didn’t live by a river or near the coast, and they didn’t have flood insurance. It’s very important to have flood insurance and we recommend people sign up to get emergency alerts.”
AccuWeather meteorologists said this year may see between three to five direct hurricane impacts. The weather agency said that they are predicting between four and seven hurricanes in total, with between two and four major hurricanes of Category 3 or greater. This year, predictions show there will be between 11 and 16 named storm events, including tropical storms.
“We know we’ve had a lot of impacts from storms in recent years, and some of the long term, we need to be prepared for those type of impacts becoming more extreme and challenging due to climate change,” said Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection commissioner Katie Dykes. “From the devastating flooding in the Naugatuck Valley in 2024 to Tropical Storm Isaias in 2020, going back to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, these storms can be really intense and threaten the loss of life to Connecticut residents. These storms also cost hundreds of millions of dollars to bridges, roads, homes and businesses.
“It’s really important that we are preparing for the challenges of tomorrow as climate change makes these extreme weather events more intense, Dykes added. “It’s important for us to not hide from these facts, but through working with our partners, we can take account of our changing climate and incorporate that new normal into designing infrastructure to be more resilient and work with communities on how to best prepare.”
Dykes said DEEP officials are working with UConn’s Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaption to better prepare for the impact of climate change, as the state is preparing for up to 20 inches of sea level rise by 2050. As storms increase, Dykes said the state will need to mitigate the impacts of climate change and create better climate resilience.
Even with fewer storms expected overall, Dykes said there is still potential for multiple direct U.S. impacts this season, including early-season or even preseason development. While Connecticut may get spared from a hurricane, it can still be impacted by powerful tropical storms and heavy rainfall events, she said.
“You don’t have to live in a flood plain to get flooded,” Dykes said. “So this is a good time to know your emergency plan and check your insurance policy. If you live in a coastal flood plain, you should absolutely have flood insurance.”
Dykes said anyone looking to see if they have flood insurance or want to purchase a policy can visit www.floodsmart.com.
Connecticut officials offered the following steps to prepare for the next major storm event:
- Have a plan for your family including children, loved ones with special needs and pets. The Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness has information on how to plan for an emergency. It is available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, traditional Chinese, Haitian Creole, Polish and Vietnamese.
- Have an emergency kit ready at all times. Your kit should include food, water, first aid supplies, battery-powered radio, flashlight and other emergency supplies. You can learn more about building an emergency supply kit in the Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness.
- Learn the evacuation routes and where the designated shelters will be in your area in case you have to evacuate.
- Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
- Check with your insurance company about your homeowners’ insurance. Some may not cover flooding during a hurricane.
- Take photos of your home and its contents for insurance purposes.
And then there is 1,000-year flood.