ARLINGTON , Virginia ( CNN ) -- Forecasters predict the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season will be `` near-normal , '' with four to seven hurricanes likely , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Thursday , less than two weeks before the season begins . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters predict a 'near normal ' hurricane season . `` While we can not prevent hurricanes , we can prepare , and we must , '' Commerce Secretary Gary Locke told reporters at Reagan National Airport , just outside of Washington . The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and runs through the end of November . Locke said it is likely there will be nine to 14 named storms , with four to seven of those becoming hurricanes . Of the hurricanes , NOAA predicts that one to three will be major hurricanes -- storms classified as Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale of storm intensity -- with winds of 111 mph or higher . In 2008 , there were 16 named storms and eight hurricanes , five of which were major . It was among the busiest and costliest seasons to date , with about $ 54 billion in damages , according to the National Climatic Data Center . Learn more about hurricanes and how you can stay safe » . The weather agency had predicted a total of 12 to 16 storms last year . NOAA 's predictions for 2009 are similar to those of four other organizations : AccuWeather , ( 13 named storms and eight hurricanes ) , Colorado State University , ( 14 named storms and seven hurricanes ) WSI Corp. ( 13 named storms , seven hurricanes ) and Weather Research Center ( seven named storms , four hurricanes ) . Competing climate factors are shaping the 2009 seasonal outlook , NOAA said , saying enhanced rainfall over West Africa , warmer Atlantic waters and reduced wind shear encourage greater storm activity . Should El Nino develop in the equatorial eastern Pacific this summer , or if ocean temperatures in the eastern tropical Atlantic stay cooler , storm activity could be diminished , NOAA said . The weather agency will release an updated hurricane outlook in August , ahead of what it says is historically the peak period for hurricane activity . Newly appointed Federal Emergency Management Agency director Craig Fugate emphasized that people who live in coastal areas should prepare for the hurricane season . `` We can not tell you where a hurricane is going to hit this year , and there 's a lot of our coast that has n't had a hurricane in decades . People grow up in areas and have n't had a hurricane , and live in a hurricane prone area and do n't realize it , '' Fugate said . `` Hurricane season is upon us , and to anyone who lives or works in hurricane-prone areas , to any of you who have family or friends in hurricane prone areas , NOAA 's message is clear -- be prepared , have a plan , '' NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco said . The first named storm of the Atlantic season will be named Ana . CNN 's Greg Clary contributed to this report .
NOAA predicts six to seven hurricanes , with one to three major storms . Very similar to last year 's forecast . In 2012 , there were 16 named storms , no storms .