TAMPA BAY, FL — Ready or not, Atlantic Hurricane Season is officially here and that means it's time for Tampa Bay area residents to take extra care to make certain they're ready to handle what the weather might dish out.

As emergency management officials across the region stress the need for preparation, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is adding his voice to the chorus preaching against complacency. "Smart planning and preparation will help save lives and protect property," Buchanan said. "There is absolutely no downside in preparing for the worst. The Suncoast can't afford to be complacent given Mother Nature's unpredictability."

Buchanan's words have already been proven true this year. Although neither storm directly impacted the Gulf Coast of Florida, 2016 has witnessed two named storms so far. The first, Hurricane Alex, formed back in January – well outside of the normal season's June 1 through Nov. 30 time frame. The second, Tropical Storm Bonnie, remained in play as of Wednesday with its remnants still hanging around the North Carolina coast. While pinpointing exactly how any given hurricane season will shape up is difficult at best, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) say this season will likely include four to eight Atlantic hurricanes. Between one and four of those storms could reach major hurricane status, meaning winds of 111 mph or more.

Whether the Tampa Bay area will see one of those storms remains a mystery, but it can and does happen here, planners remind. The last major storm to come close to the region was Hurricane Charley back in August 2004. That category 4 storm struck Charlotte County, leaving four people dead and an estimated 11,000 homes damaged.

The Tampa Bay area hasn't seen a direct hit from a hurricane in more than 90 years. Even so, experts say the lucky streak isn't likely to last. It's not a question of if, but when, forecasters say.

To get ready, residents are urged to create their own emergency kits, including food and water for at least three days. They should also know their evacuation routes, have their renter or homeowner's insurance documents handy and should have a plan on where to go and what to do if a storm strikes.