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They were told that although Colorado State University forecasts 15 named storms in the Atlantic this year, they should not focus on the numbers. South Carolina has been hit by hurricanes in busy years and slow ones.
"Don't get scared; just get prepared," said Steve Lyons, National Weather Service meteorologist and Weather Channel forecaster. He urged attendees of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce's annual Hurricane Expo and Forum to think of preparing for hurricane season like wearing a seat belt.
"Every time you get into your car, you fasten your seat belt," he said, "because you know if you're in an accident, it might save your life."
Safeguarding yourself and your home against hurricanes is about more than boarding up your windows, Lyons said.
Although it is rare for a strong hurricane to make landfall in South Carolina, collateral damage from storms can be just as devastating. In addition to high winds, people should prepare for water surge, heavy rainfall, bigger waves and tornados spawned by a hurricane -- conditions that can affect areas not directly hit by storms, he said.
"There has been more damage in Beaufort County in the last 30 to 40 years from hurricanes on the Gulf than hurricanes that hit the South Carolina coast," said William Winn, Beaufort County director of public safety, who spoke after Lyons.
Being prepared means securing your home, being ready to evacuate and being ready to live in your home without basic services for a week, Winn said.
"My golden rule of evacuation," Winn told the crowd, "is he who leaves earliest gets the best and closest hotel room."
The forum had Joan Morris of Bluffton thinking about how to get her home ready for the season.
"I did learn a lot," she said. "I'm definitely glad I bought flood insurance. And now I know how to do things better and will think about different kinds of mitigation."
