Forecasters with NOAA’s National Weather Service are calling for a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2026, with 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes between June 1 and Nov. 30.

• The agency puts the odds of a below-normal season at 55%, a near-normal season at 35% and an above-normal season at 10%. El Niño is expected to develop and intensify during the season, which historically suppresses tropical activity, even as slightly warmer-than-normal Atlantic temperatures and weaker trade winds push the other direction.

But National Weather Service Director Ken Graham warned in NOAA’s May 21 outlook that any forecast comes with a caveat.

“Although El Niño’s impact in the Atlantic Basin can often suppress hurricane development, there is still uncertainty in how each season will unfold,” Graham said. “That is why it’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.”

For residents of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties, Okaloosa Gas District is echoing that message.

A 72-year operating history

Okaloosa Gas District has served Northwest Florida since 1953 without a system-wide outage, a record that covers some of the most destructive hurricanes in Gulf Coast history.

Part of the reason traces back to how natural gas is delivered. Unlike electricity, which depends on poles, wires and substations exposed to wind and falling trees, natural gas travels through an underground network largely insulated from storm damage.

“The top priority at Okaloosa Gas is the safety of the residents of Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties,” said Eddie Springle, Vice President of Marketing for Okaloosa Gas District. “Being a natural gas provider, it is our job to make sure everyone is aware of the steps to take in case they encounter any problems involving natural gas.”

That underground delivery is also why most natural gas appliances continue to operate during a power outage. Outages can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. 

For natural gas customers, that generally means hot water from a tank water heater, hot meals from a range or outdoor grill, outdoor lighting from gas lamps and, for homes equipped with one, power from a whole-house or partial-house natural gas generator.

A campus built for reliability

The reliability question now extends to the utility’s own facilities. Okaloosa Gas District opened its new 160,000-square-foot headquarters, known as “The District,” in January at the entrance to Valparaiso, consolidating more than 200 employees under one roof for the first time in the utility’s history.

The campus was engineered with hurricane season in mind. 

Windows throughout the building are rated to withstand 175 mph winds, with some triple-laminated for sound attenuation. Combined heat and power systems generate electricity on-site while using waste heat for climate control. Natural gas-fired chillers, tankless water heaters and a 750-kilowatt backup generator round out a setup that allows the campus to operate independently of the electrical grid.

“This campus has the ability to run 100% off the grid,” said Gordon King, CEO of Okaloosa Gas District.

The Class A facility was designed to house gas crews during emergencies, with a commercial kitchen for meals, showers in the fitness room, and capacity for mutual aid workers from other utilities. The campus can also be opened to first responders, employees and their families when conditions call for it.

“All of the facilities are built for the District to utilize should we have a hurricane and we need to take care of our people or bring assistance in from the outside,” King said.

Before, during and after a storm

Okaloosa Gas advises customers to take a few specific steps at each phase of a storm.

Before the storm:

• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Visit ready.gov/hurricanes for guidance on securing the home.
• Know the property’s elevation and whether it sits in a flood-prone area.
• Identify levees and dams in the area and learn whether they pose a hazard.
• Learn community evacuation routes and have a destination in mind.

During the storm:

• Turn the thermostat to the off position before evacuating.
• Turn the shut-off valve to the off position for any outdoor appliances.
• Do not attempt to disconnect gas service or work on or around the gas meter.
• Do not relight any gas appliances.
• Do not clear flood debris from the gas meter or any other gas appliance, including the water heater.
• If flooding reaches natural gas appliances, call Okaloosa Gas at 850-729-4700 so the meter and appliances can be inspected for damage.

After the storm:

• Check natural gas appliances first and smell for any sign of a leak.
• Do not attempt repairs yourself or hire unauthorized, unlicensed individuals to work on natural gas appliances. That can be unsafe and may void manufacturer warranties.
• Call 811 or visit sunshine811.com at least two full business days before digging or disturbing the ground in any way.

“The most important takeaway is to call Okaloosa Gas if anything seems wrong,” Springle said.

Generator maintenance before the season

For residents and business owners with a natural gas generator, Okaloosa Gas recommends annual servicing of the oil, battery, fuel filters and spark plugs. Generators equipped with a transfer switch should run a self-test once a week to confirm they will start when needed.

“If there is a hurricane, you do not want to make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to realize your battery is dead,” Springle said. “You may not use it, but you still need to maintain it for when you do need it.”

Okaloosa Gas does not service generators in-house but recommends residents get on a maintenance schedule with Ronco Generators or Casey Electric.

Residents in all-electric homes interested in a whole-house natural gas generator can request a gas availability check at OkaloosaGas.com to find out whether a gas line is already in their neighborhood.

“It only takes one storm to disrupt a community,” Springle said. “The best thing residents can do right now is take preparation seriously, no matter what the season looks like on paper.”

For questions, free in-home consultations or to schedule service, Okaloosa Gas can be reached at 850-729-4700 or at OkaloosaGas.com.