Ocean temperatures are at near-record highs, which could allow storms to rapidly intensify if they enter the Gulf.

Sept. 10 marked the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, but it is typically busy through the month and into October. The Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet so far. There have been five tropical storms and one hurricane so far.

And today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center displays that most optimistic of Atlantic basin forecasts: an empty map labeled “no disturbances”—an indication that meteorologists don’t expect any tropical activity of note within the next seven days.

"About 60 percent of the season's activity occurs after the peak, so we're not out of the woods yet," says senior hurricane specialist.

You don’t have to skip the Caribbean during hurricane season; these southern islands are rarely hit by storms.

Republican Sen. Ted Budd blasted FEMA for “stonewalling” funds to his state to recover from Hurricane Helene and said that he plans to use his leverage in the chamber to stall Department of Homeland Security nominees until the issue is addressed.