With the severe weather season having technically begun, Butler County residents should educate themselves on what they can do to protect their families and homes.

At the same time, we hope the county has taken the necessary steps to ensure this year’s severe weather season isn’t as disastrous as last year’s.

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said preparations for severe weather — which includes the type of rainstorms that devastated parts of the county last summer — could be affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency’s executive director said the state could see 13 to 19 major storms during the course of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane season, which runs from early June to late November.

That’s a lot of potential for property damage or worse.

Last year, many communities were hard hit by summer rainstorms — especially Zelienople, Harmony, Evans City, the area near Sullivan’s Run in Butler and Connoquenessing, Jackson, Forward and Lancaster townships.

Thankfully, a number of communities have taken steps since last summer’s heavy rainfall to combat flooding.

The county commissioners approved a measure to hire an engineering firm to review release rates of water in nine municipalities in the county’s southern tier, and determine how flooding could be reduced at the Connoquenessing and Breakneck creeks.

Eight municipalities — Adams, Cranberry, Jackson and Lancaster townships, Evans City, Harmony, Seven Fields and Zelienople boroughs — have signed on, with Mars borough being the only current holdout.

We hope other communities affected by flooding have also taken steps to alleviate flooding ahead of the storm season.

Meanwhile, the state’s Department of Health has released a list of steps that residents should take, especially considering that COVID-19 could cause further bumps during a turbulent season.

Residents should immediately find out where and when they should take shelter during an emergency, and prepare emergency kits with COVID-19-related items — masks and hand sanitizer — but also three days’ worth of food and water, medications and first-aid supplies.

Keeping up with the latest weather reports is a no-brainer, and flood insurance can be vital in protecting one’s property, for those who can afford it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for many people in the county — but residents have risen to the challenge.

The severe weather season is yet another challenge. Municipalities have been taking some steps to combat it in advance — but it would behoove county residents to be prepared.