NATCHEZ — With three named storms having formed, the Miss-Lou emergency managers say it is time to get prepared for hurricane season.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, however this is the first year since 2012 where two storms formed in the preseason, with one occurring in January and the other in May.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting 10 to 16 named storms, with 1 to 4 of them becoming major hurricanes. In an average year, 12.1 named storms occur and 2.7 turn into major hurricanes.

Concordia Parish Homeland Security Director Payne Scott said NOAA has predicted that two of the storms will end up in the Gulf of Mexico. Though being in the gulf doesn’t mean it will impact the Miss-Lou, he said.

“It could go in any direction,” Scott said.

Over in Adams County, Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford Sr. is preparing for a hurricane awareness campaign that will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Natchez Walmart parking lot. Pamphlets will be given out and Bradford said he would make a push to get people enrolled in Code Red.

“Code Red is our early emergency warning system that the board of supervisors put into place about four years ago,” Bradford said. “It gives you updates from the emergency management office to your phone.”

The free system alerts residents whose houses are in the path of a storm.

Scott said the parish no longer has a Code Red system. He said the price went up dramatically, and it was canceled before he became director.

“Check The Natchez Democrat, listen to the radio and watch the TV stations,” he said. “We will use the media to get the word out.”

Scott said parish residents can pick up emergency guideline booklets at the welcome center or with any of the law enforcment agencies.

Bradford said residents should make sure generators are in working order and to start stocking water, food and other supplies in case the county loses power.

“In the event we lose power, you need to have a plan in place,” he said. “Make sure you have a plan for your pets, too.”

The Mississippi Department of Transportation released some guidelines recently on preparing for hurricane season.

4Be prepared to cover all windows by installing permanent storm shutters or plan to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.

4Reduce roof damage by installing straps or additional clips to fasten your roof to the frame structure.

4Trim trees and shrubs to be wind resistant.

4Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

4Reinforce your garage doors with a counterbalancing kit.

4Bring in all outdoor furniture, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.

4For those with boats, determine how and where to secure it.