With a month until the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, now is the time to get ready for potential storms, as preparation is key to keeping you and your property safe.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, April 30 – May 6, provides an opportunity to review your safety plans and make any changes long before a storm arrives.

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30, but the season historically peaks between mid-August and mid-October. According to the National Weather Service, the U.S. coastline typically experiences three hurricanes per year, including one major storm.

Along with high winds, hurricanes can cause flooding and storm surges. If your area is affected by these conditions, planning ahead can potentially save your business and your life.

The 2022 hurricane season recorded 14 named storms with winds of 39 mph or greater. Eight of the storms became hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or greater, and two strengthened to major hurricanes with winds reaching 111 mph or greater, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Forecasters predict this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be slightly below normal with 13 named storms, including six hurricanes, two of which will be major hurricanes.

Penske offers the following advice to consumers and commercial customers about what to do before a storm arrives:

Make safety your number one priority.

Top off your truck fuel tanks.

Move trucks to higher ground if in a flood-prone area.

Stay tuned to local news stations for weather reports.

Adhere to all travel, road advisories and restrictions.

Delay travel into impacted areas when possible.

Know your evacuation routes and have a plan.

Important Penske Information

Contact us if you need assistance with your lease or rental units before or after the storm:

Penske Location and Fuel Finder Tool

24/7 Roadside Assistance: 1-800-526-0798

Consumer Truck Rental Reservations: 1-888-996-5415

Commercial Truck Rental Reservations: 1-800-736-7531

Penske Facilities Questions

Penske takes steps to ensure continued service, but there are times when delays and closures may be necessary due to travel restrictions, weather conditions, power outages or a state of emergency.

Please call our 24/7 Roadside Assistance team at 1-800-526-0798 to confirm the open or closed status of a Penske facility.

Additional Helpful Resources

U.S. DOT National Traffic and Road Closures and Advisories by State

Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA)

FEMA Blog – Emergency Updates and Preparedness

Ready.gov – Hurricane Preparedness

National Hurricane Center Storm Updates

American Red Cross Hurricane Tips

By “Move Ahead” Staff