The 2020 hurricane season is likely to be "above normal" in the Atlantic, with forecasts of three to six hurricanes of category 3 or more, American weather services announced on Thursday May 21.

"There is a 60% chance of a season above normal," Neil Jacobs, head of the United States' Oceanic and Atmospheric Observing Agency (NOAA), told a press conference call.

This 2020 season could be "extremely active", he added, with six to ten hurricanes expected in the Atlantic, three to six of which could reach category 3 or more, carrying winds of at least 178 km / h.

The season officially lasts from June 1 to November 30. The annual average is six hurricanes, three of which are major.

More delicate evacuations due to the Covid-19

Possible evacuation operations could be disrupted this year by the Covid-19 epidemic and physical distancing measures.

The number of places in shelters "will necessarily be reduced" because of these health requirements, said Carlos Castillo, head of the Federal Agency for Emergency Management (Fema).

"It is recommended to find, as much as possible, family or friends outside the areas (hit by a hurricane) or hotels outside the evacuation area," he added.

With AFP

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