Already the first tropical system of 2018, Alberto, has come ashore in the United States. Parts of the South got a soaking.

Hurricane season however does not begin until June 1 … Friday. From then until late November, we will have to stay alert for updates from the National Hurricane Center about systems that indicate they will organize; for systems that become tropical storms; for tropical storms that become hurricanes; for hurricanes that aim for Tidewater Virginia.

Once again, the watch begins.

There’s a big difference between watching and being prepared. This area has been hit often enough, and badly enough, that everyone should know what to do to get ready for a big storm, and where to go if evacuations are ordered. It is foolish to ignore the possibility of a storm heading this way.

The last big strike came with Hurricane Isabel in 2003, with many threats and brushes since then. Isabel brought profound damage to Gloucester and Mathews, and its highest winds were ...