June 1 marks the first day of the hurricane season, and while experts can make their best predictions on whether or not a hurricane will hit the East Coast, it's best to be prepared for the worst.

Coastal Carolina University's Hurricane Genesis & Outlook (HUGO) Project has predicted a "normal to above normal" hurricane season this year in its early outlook released in May. Read the full prediction here.

However, there is no way to truly know whether a hurricane will make landfall along the East Coast and affect the Myrtle Beach area, said Emergency Management Director Carissa Medeiros, so it's best to be prepared.

"I believe that Hurricane Matthew in 2016 was a wake-up call for our area," Medeiros said. "The University has initiated new procedures to ensure the safety of the University community and established the CCU Emergency Operations Center to coordinate response and recovery efforts."

Students and their families, faculty, and staff can sign up to receive emergency communication messages from the University via CCU Alert. The service is free, but carrier charges may apply. The University's main social media channels will also be utilized to disseminate emergency information.

Medeiros also advises the CCU community take time to visit the CCU emergency management website to view videos and read hurricane FAQs in order to have a personal plan in place should a hurricane effect campus this season.

Hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

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