Hurricane season starts as storms develop in Gulf

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on Thursday with multiple tropical disturbances being monitored.
Forecasters have predicted an average season with 12 to 17 named storms though the director stressed "there's nothing normal about hurricanes."
A new storm surge model and longer tropical weather outlooks aim to help residents prepare for and respond to storms.
One disturbance currently in the Gulf of Mexico has a chance of becoming a cyclone, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Florida over the weekend.
Recent deadly and destructive hurricanes like Katrina, Harvey, and Michael highlight the importance of preparation and responsiveness.