Meteorologists will keep an eye out for Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny and Erika this year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that this year's hurricane season will bring four to seven hurricanes and nine to 14 tropical storms in 2009. Hurricane season began Monday.
One to three storms are predicted to reach category 3 or higher. Category 3 winds range from 111 to 113 mph.
Residents of Florida and other hurricane-prone areas are urged to be prepared for the season, said Kenneth Allen, emergency management coordinator in the Environmental Health and Safety department.
"NOAA's predictions are on a macro level," Allen said, "so no matter what the forecasts are, there's no way to predict whether our area is going to impacted or not. So we have to prepare every year as if we are going to be impacted."
Allen recommends that residents create an evacuation plan and keep three days worth of food and water.
On-campus residents should follow the advice of the housing staff, and off-campus residents should follow advice from local officials, Allen said.
Instructions may include a boil-water advisory or a curfew.
In the event of a hurricane, the city's fire departments, police, work crews and administrators will be placed on standby as part of the city's Emergency Operation Plan, said Bob Woods, City of Gainesville spokesman.
Woods recommends keeping a shortwave radio and batteries, prescription medication, a first aid kit and important documents.
To help residents prepare, the city also created a Web site, which can be found at the city of Gainesville home page. Links on the Web site direct users to emergency contact information for people with children and pets.
"The time to prepare is now," Woods said.
