The word is out and the predictions are in as to what we can expect with the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season. By most indications, forecasters say it will be a "near-average" period for hurricane formation.

Now, when you watch an average movie or dine at a mediocre restaurant, it's nothing to write home about. But in the world of hurricanes, an average year is anything but. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a typical year for hurricanes results in 12 named storms, six being substantial enough to be classified as hurricanes. Furthermore, of the half-dozen that form, three are Category 3 or higher. Cat 3 storms on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, by definition, produce between 111 and 129 mile per hour wind gusts, which according to the National Hurricane Center can result in significant damage to buildings and homes. Any storm at or beyond Cat 3 is considered major.

Of course, there's no guarantee that this many named storms will develop over the next six months. However, all it takes is one sizeable storm to wreak havoc, especially if you're a homeowner who didn't take the proper precautions.