The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast is calling for 11 to 17 named storms, with five to nine hurricanes this season.

NOAA predicts several of those storms could become major hurricanes with winds topping 111 mph.

"There is potential for a lot of Atlantic storm activity this year. We cannot stop hurricanes, but we can prepare for them,” says NOAA lead seasonal hurricane forecaster Dr. Gerry Bell.

A busy hurricane season is not exactly something residents at the Jersey Shore want to hear, especially since many of them are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy.

“Sandy’s impact on our community and I think the rest of the Jersey Shore, was so epic that it’s going to be generations before we forget about it,” says Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty.

Union Beach resident Charlie Cocuzza says that many town residents did not come back after the storm.

“Many people left for some reason or another,” he says. “It could have been the storm. It could have been insurance reasons. It could have just been fear.”

The projects for a rough hurricane season this year is worrisome for Union Beach Mayor Paul Smith.

“We’re still waiting for our shore protection project. I mean, it’s approved. They’re actually doing the design,” Smith says. “They’re spending money, the federal government, so it’s going to happen. It’s just slow.”

The Atlantic storm season officially starts June 1. It lasts for six months.