No more than two major hurricanes predicted for 2014

WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) -- Meteorologists with the federal government are predicting a mild hurricane season for the Atlantic in 2014, with no more than six storms developing into hurricanes and only two becoming major.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released the forecast Thursday, which credits the development of the pressure system El Niño with keeping heavy storms from Atlantic shores. Lack of hurricanes does not mean the region will be free of deadly weather.

"Even though we expect El Niño to suppress the number of storms this season, it's important to remember it takes only one landfalling storm to cause a disaster," said NOAA administrator Kathryn Sullivan.

Joe Nimmich, FEMA associate administrator for Response and Recovery echoed these sentiments, noting, "Just last month, Pensacola, Florida saw five inches of rain in 45 minutes – without a tropical storm or hurricane. We need you to be ready."

Since 2000, the NOAA's annual pre-summer hurricane predictions have been correct seven out of 14 years.