The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is well underway, with peak season approaching sometime between now and early September. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center, the first Atlantic hurricane usually forms in early to mid-August, while the first major hurricane usually comes along in late August or early September. Emergency management coordinators in Gloucester and Mathews make sure they’re prepared for even the worst weather events by working year-round to keep their communities safe. They plan and train for catastrophic events, obtain regular briefings from the National Weather Service in Wakefield, and remain on the alert for special weather statements warning that severe weather is approaching. Both counties use the Everbridge alert system to send statements out to the public, making it possible to provide advance warning of impending dangerous weather. Jane Wenner, Gloucester’s emergency management coordinator, said that the ...