Currently — June 1st, 2022

The weather, currently.

Hurricane Agatha made landfall on Monday in Oaxaca, Mexico as a strong Category 2 with sustained winds of 105 mph (170 kph) — the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall in the Americas before May 31.

Current satellite images show Agatha moving inland across southern Mexico, where it will create plenty of rain this week. There’s a 50/50 chance that Agatha’s remnant circulation may remain intact as it enters the southern Gulf of Mexico later this week, a feat that only five Pacific hurricanes have ever accomplished in 180 years of record-keeping — and never in May. Even if the cyclone’s circulation center dissipates, it should still bring heavy rains this weekend to southern Florida — a reminder that hurricane season is now officially underway.

— Eric Holthaus

What you need to know, currently.

Check out the latest Currently Explainer! Currently’s managing editor, Zaria Howell, spoke with some of our meteorologists regarding how best to prepare for and survive a hurricane. As hurricane season is upon us, it’s more important than ever to make sure you and your community know the best ways to prepare for this extreme weather event.

Meteorologists say that first, you need to assess how vulnerable your community is to hurricanes. Find out if you and your community are in a storm surge area, for example, and how susceptible your home is to damage. If you know that your area floods, have an evacuation plan. It’s also important to have a “hurricane kit” packed with water, food, medication, personal documents and other essential items. And, make sure you have a long-term plan in place for once the storm passes as well.

Read the full Explainer on our website: Currently Explains: Hurricanes.

Also, we’re holding a Twitter Spaces tomorrow at 8p.m. ET to mark the start of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. Please join us if you can!