Less than a year after Hurricane Helene caused historic damage in Georgia and other Southeastern states, the federal government said Thursday that conditions are ripe once again for another active hurricane season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast the upcoming hurricane season, which begins June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30, will produce 13 to 19 named storms . The agency predicts that between six and 10 of those storms will become hurricanes, with three to five growing into major hurricanes with sustained winds greater than 111 mph.

The expected tropical activity would be above the average of 14 named storms and three major hurricanes — considered to be Category 3 or above — observed between 1991 and 2020.

“Everything’s in place for an above-average sea

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