Delaware marks Hurricane Preparedness Week May 18–22

Governor Matt Meyer proclaimed May 18-22 Hurricane Preparedness Week in Delaware as state agencies pushed residents to get ready before the Atlantic hurricane season opens on June 1. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, or DEMA, said the campaign is aimed at pre-season preparation rather than last-minute buying once a storm is approaching. (news.delaware.gov) State guidance says the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. A separate May 19 preparedness guide from The News-Press said households building kits on a budget should start with food and water. ### Why is Delaware flagging this week now? The May 15 proclamation came just over two weeks before the official start of hurricane season. (news.delaware.gov) In its announcement, DEMA said it was working with state, county and local agencies to urge residents to help communities reduce threats from hurricanes and tropical storms before the season begins. Delaware’s own messaging tied the week to the state’s exposure to coastal flooding and storm impacts. The state news release said the push was intended to get households to review plans, supplies and information sources before a storm watch or warning creates pressure on stores and evacuation routes. (news.delaware.gov) ### What does the state want residents to do first? DEMA’s public guidance centers on three tasks: make a plan, build a kit and stay informed. The agency’s website links residents to preparedness material as Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from May 18 through May 22. The News-Press budget-kit guide published May 19 put food and water at the top of the list. (news.delaware.gov) It said those basics matter first because outages and disrupted access to stores can follow a storm even when structural damage is limited. ### What does a budget hurricane kit look like? (news.delaware.gov) The May 19 News-Press guide said a lower-cost kit can be built over time rather than in one shopping trip. The article recommended starting with water and nonperishable food, then adding other essentials in stages before June 1. (news.delaware.gov) That approach matches the timing Delaware officials are emphasizing this week. By urging residents to prepare in mid-May, the state is effectively giving households time to spread purchases across several pay periods instead of waiting for a storm threat. That is an inference from the timing of the state campaign and the budget-focused kit guidance. (news-press.com) ### Where does insurance fit into the checklist? Homeowners were also being urged in seasonal preparedness coverage to review insurance and household supplies before June 1. The point of that advice is practical: policy questions and documentation are easier to address before a storm is named than during an emergency. (news-press.com) DEMA’s broader preparedness message also points residents toward planning steps beyond supplies alone. State materials direct Delawareans to check official resources, make family plans and prepare for storm-related disruptions during the June 1-Nov. 30 season. (news.delaware.gov) ### Where can Delaware residents get the next update? DEMA’s website is carrying the state’s preparedness material during Hurricane Preparedness Week, including links to planning and emergency-readiness resources. The current campaign runs through May 22, and the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. (news.delaware.gov) (news-press.com)