How travelers can protect themselves during hurricane season.

Hurricane season bounded out of the gate this year, with a subtropical storm hitting Pensacola, Fla., several days before its official start date on June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a near- or above-normal season over the next six months. (Dan Anderson/Associated Press)

Memorial Day signaled the unofficial start of summer, the conch shell reveille rousing travelers dreaming of an ocean getaway. Then four days later, hurricane season shows up like an unwanted beach house guest . Just when you thought it was safe to jump on a water-centric holiday . . .

Last year was devastating, with 17 named storms and more than $200 billion worth of damages, the costliest season on record. And the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is bracing for another rough one. The agency predicted a 70 percent chance of 10 to 16 named storms. Of those, five to nine could escalate into hurricanes, with one to four becoming a Category 3, 4 or 5.

“There is definitely a lot of trepidation over vacationing in the Caribbean this summer,” said Steve Bennett, the St. Croix-born co-founder of Uncommon Caribbean, an online guide to the islands. “Advance bookings are down, with people taking a wait-and-see attitude and booking last-minute, often within less than 30 days of travel.”

By Andrea Sachs.

Full story at Washington Post.