"We are predicting a below normal season with eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes," said Hill, attributing that to a strong El Niño pattern this year.
But, even with a calmer season on the way, officials are still urging folks to prepare. Lamar County emergency management director James Smith said that means having everything you and your household might need over the course of 72 hours.
"That will be anything that you need during that 72-hour period: water, food, medications, evacuation plans, reunification plans with the family," said Smith. "Communication lines are going to be compromised for sure along the gulf and this far inland."
"Make some kind of plan to let everybody know that you're okay."
And Smith emphasized that the effects of hurricanes can be felt well beyond the coast.
"[Even with ] a category one hurricane that hits the Pacific Gulf coast, we could see 60 mile-an-hour winds at times even with that because we're only like 60 miles from the coast," said Smith. "We still have the effects of trees down on power lines: that's probably our biggest thing during that time."
And flooding is a big concern along the coast especially, said services coordinator Chad Brownlow of Jackson County emergency management.
"Make sure around your home your gutters and everything is clean so water can move away from the house," said Brownlow. "Your drainage around your property: make sure all that's clean so there's no blockages causing water to pool up in those areas."
Hurricanes can cause flash flooding as well, with the "bad side" of a hurricane doing the worst damage if the front-right quadrant of system hits land first.
"If we get on the bad side we could get just a torrential amount of rainfall before, during, and after a hurricane," which could exacerbate other emergency conditions, said Smith.
Like with any other storm season preparation, preparing for flooding well in advance is important.
"We definitely had some flooding impacts within the community in the last couple weeks or so as we were entering a kind of summertime pattern of more rains," said Jason Purvis, deputy director of Harrisson County's emergency management. "A flood is one of those things that comes up real quick on us."
"I we haven't got our supplies set aside already, it can be difficult to pull those things together; if you get trapped in by water, you can't get your vehicle out, and so at the beginning of hurricane season is a great time to refresh your emergency supplies for your house."
Along with a 72-hour supply of food, water, medication, basic preparation includes at least half a tank of gas, some kind of means of communication and a way to receive weather alerts, along with an evacuation plan.
Mississippi Department of Transportation public information officer Anna Ehrgott said that plan should include an evacuation route as well as backup route in case of congestion.
"We know that sometimes storms can tend to turn east or west at the last minute," said Ehrgott. "So, it's very important for people to travel north in order to avoid any outcomes from hurricanes."
The department recommends avoiding Highway 49 with congestion that could come up during evacuations and Ehrgott said evacuating early — ahead of road hazards from the weather — is the best way to stay safe.
Ehrgott added that with MDOT being a first responder following hurricanes, they need space to work after the storms.
"We really, really want to emphasize to people how important it is to stay off the roadways right after a storm," said Ehrgott. "Please don't go out sightseeing or anything like that."
"We need the roads to be clear in order for our maintenance forces to come out and clear any debris from the storm so that emergency vehicles can get to those people who may be experiencing an emergency as quickly as possible."
