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CHARLOTTE -- Hundreds of emergency responders from across the state practiced for a Category 5 hurricane during a disaster exercise Wednesday at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport.

The scenario they were simulating: a Category 5 hurricane with winds whipping at 160 mph just hit the coast. Hundreds if not thousands are injured and everyone needs to evacuate.

Responders had to figure out how to transport hundreds of volunteer victims from a waiting C-130 to triage and on to an area hospital. From head trauma to broken bones to severe burns, the team has to be ready for everything just as if it were the real thing.

"We need to determine what our folks are going to do with what they have, not what they know," said base fire chief Daryl Cook.

Officials say this training couldn't come at a better time. Colorado State University researchers released their hurricane forecast for 2010 and they say this year's storm season will be much more active than last year.

"We're trying to be a proactive system so the agencies that are involved in this kind of exercise are ready to go at a moment's notice," Cook said.

This year, forecasters are predicting 15 named storms, eight of which will become hurricanes.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.