Nantucket Island, Mass., has an expression for residents who were not actually born on the island. These poor people, no matter how many millions of dollars they spend on island homes and no matter how many years they live on the island, are still referred to as “wash-ashores.” The majority of Anna Maria Island residents are also wash-ashores, and we’re all happy to have them, but the one wash-ashore that we’re never happy to have is the hurricane that annually threatens to wash ashore.

Every year on June 1, when the official start of hurricane season begins those of us who live in a flood hazard area, which is all of Anna Maria Island as well as the mainland shoreline, collectively hold our breath until November. This year, according to all of the hurricane forecasters, is predicted to be a quiet one. This comes on the heels of the 2013 season, which was one of the quietest hurricane seasons in decades.

The 2014 prediction is for another below average Atlantic hurricane season. The early outlook released in March calls for 11 named storms including 5 hurricanes, two of which are predicted to attain major hurricane status, which is classified as a Category 3 or stronger. This is slightly below the long-term average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Good news, yes, of course, but not a reason to let down our guard. As anyone who has lived on the East coast of the United States knows, it only takes one big one, and it can hit anywhere along the coastline, not just Florida. So we all need to protect our homes and our families just as we would if the forecast was for a very active season.

All of us who live in a special flood hazard area, as defined by Manatee County, were mailed a Flood Hazard Area Guide. It’s a very important mailing containing guidelines, websites and phone numbers should you need to evacuate during a storm and the aftermath of a flood. Keep it along with your other hurricane information where you can get your hands on it should there be an event.

The guide as well as other information guides available online, reminds everyone to secure their homes, have a personal disaster kit containing prescription drugs, clothing, first aid items, battery operated radios and non-perishable food, secure important papers and keep your gas tank full among other tips. In addition, make sure to secure outside furniture, turn off gas lines and move items inside your home that could float in the event of a flood.

This is all vital information, but the real work of securing your home should have commenced a long time ago, starting with the envelope of your home by protecting all of the openings. It you don’t already have window and door protection in place it’s too late for this hurricane season, but it’s something you need to consider making an investment in. There are a large number of hurricane shutter styles and prices as well as state-of-the- art hurricane glass that can withstand hurricane debris. Protecting your windows and doors will not only provide needed protection, but will also add to the value of your home as well as meeting current building codes.

Here’s hoping the only wash-ashores this year are from the other 49 states, not the Atlantic Ocean, and that all 2014 hurricane season predictions are on target so we can all start to breathe again in November.