August 3, 2005 9:30 AM, EDT

Forecasters Raise Prediction of Number of Hurricanes

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.S. weather forecasters said Tuesday there could be 11 to 14 more tropical storms, including seven to nine more hurricanes, though the end of November, news services reported.

There have already been seven named storms, including two hurricanes, this year, a record for this time of the year, according to the National Weather Service, the Associated Press reported.

The 18 to 21 total forecast is an increase from an earlier estimate by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of 15 named storms for the 2005 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

NWS officials urged preparedness on the part of people living in hurricane-prone areas.

A tropical depression over the western Atlantic was expected early Wednesday to strengthen into a tropical storm as it approached Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, AP reported.

Last year’s first named storm was Tropical Storm Alex, which did not form until Aug. 1, later becoming a hurricane and brushing North Carolina's Outer Banks.

everal major hurricanes hit the U.S. mainland last year, including Hurricane Ivan in September, which closed ports, shut down Gulf of Mexico oil rigs, killed two dozen and caused about $7 billion in damage. (Click here for previous coverage.)