The Calm Before the Storm: Asbury’s Hurricane Checklist

The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1st and lasts until November 30th usually becoming most active toward the end of August to the middle of October, peaking around September 10th.

Being prepared is key to surviving a hurricane or tropical storm and now is the time to prepare. If you wait – it will be too late. Here are some things you should know to prepare yourself for hurricane season.

Prepare before the season starts by developing an evacuation plan and knowing your evacuation route(s). For Asbury Park, travel out of the city are Routes 66 west, 18 north and 138 to 195 west. Other routes are the Garden State Parkway north or south depending on which way you are advised to travel.

Prepare Before the Storm:

Assemble a disaster kit: Food/pet food, water, batteries, charger, radio, flashlight, meds, and cash.
Document your property for insurance
Create a communication plan with contact info
Sign up for Nixle alerts at CityofAsburyPark.com
Know your risks: Water, wind, storm surge, tornadoes, rip currents, and flooding
Assess flood risk: Lakes, low-lying areas, oceanfront
Identify structural risks: Mobile homes and basements are vulnerable

When the Storm Threatens:

Protect your home: Cover windows, secure doors and loose items outside
Prepare your shelter and always include pets
Ready your go-bag: 3 days of food/water/pet supplies, meds, a charged phone, and a full gas tank
Check on neighbors, especially the elderly and vulnerable
Follow evacuation orders and listen to local officials

It is not unusual for hurricanes or tropical storms to hit the East Coast from South Florida to Northern Maine. Colorado State University’s estimated forecast for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is calling for 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, four of them being major. Of course that is all subject to change.

Just because you do not live along the coast and are inland doesn’t mean you are out of danger. Hurricanes and tropical storms are known to produce inland flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes. It is just as important to prepare as if you live along the coast.

Here are the names of storms for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season:

Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy. If these names are exhausted the names from the Greek alphabet are used.

Check out the following links for more tips on hurricane preparedness. I included Florida because there is no state more prepared and ready for hurricanes and tropical storms.

Monmouth County Office of Emergency Management (OEM)