STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Experts says this year’s hurricane season won’t be as bad as it was in 2020, but there’s a 60% chance the 2021 season, which started June 1, will be above normal.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there’s a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

The NOAA is expecting three to five major hurricanes, classified as category 3, 4, or 5, with winds of 111 miles per hour or above. It says it predicts these storms with 70% c

The Atlantic hurricane season is also expected to bring 13 to 20 named storms – storms with winds of 39 miles per hour or higher. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes with winds of 74 miles per hour or above.

The average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, and three hurricanes that are classified category 3, 4, or 5.

Atlantic tropical storms are named ahead of time, are alphabetical, and alternate between traditionally female and male names. Some of the names for the 2021 season are: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred and Grace.

“Although NOAA scientists don’t expect this season to be as busy as last year, it only takes one storm to devastate a community,” said Ben Friedman, acting NOAA administrator.

“The forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are well-prepared with significant upgrades to our computer models, emerging observation techniques, and the expertise to deliver the life-saving forecasts that we all depend on during this, and every, hurricane season.”

The city Office of Emergency Management (OEM) revised its hurricane evacuation zones just as the Atlantic storm season begins.

On Staten Island, much of the East Shore and West Shore are covered by the first and second evacuation zones, which represent the most at-risk parts of the city, and much of the Island is covered in the less severe evacuation zones.

City officials may order evacuations in these zones depending on a hurricane’s forecast strength, track and storm surge, and the map is intended to help New Yorkers better prepare for that possibility, according to OEM.

The maps also feature evacuation centers around the city, like the Michael J. Petrides school complex, and Curtis High School

OEM recommends that all New York City residents make an emergency plan ahead of any storms and prepare for flooding and power outages. The city offers many preparation examples that families can build upon for their own homes.