The upcoming hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin will be above normal this year, and residents in areas usually affected by them should be prepared.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center estimated that there is a 60 to 70 percent chance to have 12 to 16 named storms, including 6 to 9 hurricanes and 2 to 5 major hurricanes, category 3,4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

With the hurricane season ready to set in on June 1, Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator said there needs to be an emergency plan for every coastal state, before the storm threatens.

A normal season has 11 named storms, 6 of which are hurricanes, 2 of them with major status. The Climate Prediction Center said there is a 65 percent probability of an above normal season this year, and a 25 percent probability for a near normal season.

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center is fully prepared to track any tropical cyclone, from a depression to a hurricane, Bill Read, director of the NHC said, adding that they will continue to provide forecasts to residents, who need to have a hurricane plan in place before the season begins.

Tropical cyclones have been responsible for killing millions of people and causing significant property damage. Hurricane Katrina killed over 1,800 people in the U.S. and cause damage estimated at $100 billion.

According to a study published by meteorologist Tom Knutson, global warming could diminish the number of hurricanes by the end of the century, however, they will be approximately 2 percent more intense.

FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said America needs to develop a culture of preparedness, in which every American takes responsibility for his/her own emergency plan, instead of completely relying on federal, tribal, state or local government’s help.