Hurricane News Conference Held at Stennis Int'l Airport in Miss.

Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Monday predicted that this year's hurricane season could produce as many as nine hurricanes, with up to five being major storms.

Officials with NOAA and the National Hurricane Center were in South Mississippi to kick off National Hurricane Preparedness Week and to urge residents not to wait until the last minute to prepare for the season. They held a press conference at Stennis International Airport that attracted media from throughout the Southeast.

Officials with NOAA said they announce their predictions for the upcoming season each year from areas affected by hurricanes. This year, they chose South Mississippi. Hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

NOAA is predicting 12 to 15 tropical storms, seven to nine hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes this year. During the 2004 season, there were 15 tropical storms and nine hurricanes, six of them major.

Representatives from the weather service said residents throughout the threatened regions should prepare, not just those who live on the coastline.

"Last year reminds us that hurricanes and tropical storms don't just affect coastal regions," said retired Brig. General David L. Johnson, director of the NOAA National Weather Service. "Preparation plans should consider that these storms carry severe weather, such as tornadoes and flooding, while moving inland."

The years between 1970 and 1994 were relatively quiet for hurricanes, the experts said. But since 1995, all but two Atlantic hurricane seasons have been above normal, and this trend could continue for another decade.

Mike Brown, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said residents should plan their evacuation routes now, as well as stock up on supplies, such as nonperishable food and batteries.

"As we approach this hurricane season, I'm astounded that people don't yet have a plan," he said. "They don't know the evacuation routes and they don't have enough food and medicine."

Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center, agreed. He said this year is the center's 50th anniversary, and the goal is the same.

"Our mission is still to protect lives and property," he said. "The 2004 season taught us some stern lessons."

Besides urging residents to prepare early, Mayfield said they also should look at the cone of a hurricane's projected path, not just the line down the center.

"Hurricanes affect large areas," he said. "Don't focus on that skinny black line. The battle against the hurricane is won now, not after it hits."