THE CARIBBEAN region is being warned to prepare for an “above-average” hurricane season, which begins on June 1.

Officials in The Bahamas has urged citizens to begin preparations now to reduce the risk of death and damage to property.

Minister of State Myles LaRoda, who is responsible for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction said “this year marks the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season which underscores the importance of ongoing emergency preparedness.”

Speaking at the launch of Disaster Preparedness Month, LaRoda said: “Weather experts have (also) observed a pattern in recent years with systems developing before June 1. This means that residents would be wise to review their hurricane plans and begin seasonal preparations early.

“Residents are encouraged to be ready and stay ready no matter the forecast.

“More frequent, busy seasons should remind us all that it only takes one storm to have a very serious impact to our shores. We all are aware of the impact Hurricane Dorian had.”

Hurricane Dorian was the deadly category 6 storm which killed 74 people in the Bahamas in 2019.

There are still 245 people reportedly missing three years later.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused devastation across the Caribbean, affecting Barbuda, Jamaica, Cuba, Anguilla and The Bahamas.

According to the hurricane forecasting team at Colorado State University (CSU), this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, will be very active.

The Caribbean is forecast to have a 60% change of having at least one major hurricane, this year, according to CSU.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) names the Atlantic hurricanes in accordance to six rotating alphabetical lists.

This year’s 21-name list is as follows: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Martin, Nicole, Owen, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie and Walter.

The WMO Hurricane Committee has retired Ida from the rotating lists of Atlantic tropical cyclone names because of the death and destruction caused by the category 4 hurricane in the United States of America in 2021.

Experts have linked climate change and La Niña conditions to the increase in hurricanes in recent years.

In 1996, there were 14 named storms, nine hurricanes and six major hurricanes.

However in 2021, there was a surge in storms during hurricane season with 21 named storms, seven hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

Other Caribbean nations are expected to issue guidance for its residents in order to prepare for the first storms of the season.