June 1st marks the start of the 2026 hurricane season, and the City of Thomasville reminds residents about the importance of hurricane preparedness as the season approaches. The 2025 hurricane season saw the development of 13 named storms, five hurricanes, and four major hurricanes, three of which reached Category 5 strength.
“Forecasters with the National Weather Service (NWS) are predicting that the 2026 Atlantic basin season is expected to be below normal due to competing weather factors,” said Ricky Zambrano, Public Information Manager. “Regardless of forecasts, residents are encouraged to take proactive steps now to ensure they are fully prepared for any hurricane that may impact our area.”
Zambrano noted that experts advise households to maintain a three‑day supply of emergency essentials for every family member. “Be sure to have batteries, flashlights, necessary medications, a first‑aid kit, and enough food and water to sustain each person for at least three days. Important personal documents, including insurance information and identification records, should also be securely stored so they can be accessed quickly during an emergency.”
Preparing your home and property for the arrival of severe weather is also important. “Take time now, before a storm is imminent, to look for low hanging limbs or branches that may need to be removed from trees on your property,” said Zambrano. “You do not want to prune trees and shrubs when a storm is near, so assess your property and remove anything that may come down in a storm.”
In addition to home storm preparations, it’s important to know how to report electric outages. Tville TextAlert allows City of Thomasville Utilities customers to report outages and receive updates on outages through text messages. To sign up for Tville TextAlert, verify that your mobile number is added to your utilities account by calling 229-227-7001. Once your number is added or if it is already active on your account, text TVILLE to 229-227-5499.
Staying informed through trusted news sources and understanding key hurricane‑related terminology is essential. “The National Weather Service is the primary provider of official watches and warnings for our area,” Zambrano said. “Local television and radio stations also provide frequent and reliable updates. Understanding the terminology used by the National Weather Service, especially the differences between tropical storms, hurricane watches, and hurricane warnings, is essential.”
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. For more information about the Tville TextAlert system or any of the City of Thomasville’s services, call 229-227-7001 or visit thomasville.org.