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Weather Service Worsens 2005 Hurricane Outlook
Written by
Lesly C. Simmons
, Staff Writer & Photographer, RedCross.org
Friday, August 05, 2005 — Watch out Floridians—the National Weather Services announced on August 2 that it predicts the 2005 hurricane season will be even worse than originally expected, with up to 14 more storms coming between August and November of 2005, and three to five of those becoming major hurricanes.
NOAA expects an additional 11 to 14 tropical storms by the end of hurricane season, with 7 to 9 becoming hurricanes and three to five becoming major hurricanes. So far the U.S. has had to deal with Hurricane Dennis in 2005, which made landfall near Pensacola, Fla., as a Category Three hurricane on July 10, 2005.
Hurricane Dennis left many homes like this one across many of the coastal communities surrounding Pensacola in July. |
“For active hurricane seasons like we are expecting this year, the historical records show that on average two to thee hurricanes strike the United States during August through November,” said Dr. Gerry Bell, lead meteorologist on NOAA’s Atlantic Hurricane team.
“So that means that although we’ve already had one hurricane strike the country with Hurricane Dennis, on average we see an additional two to three hurricane strikes during the peak of the season.”
NOAA makes its initial assessment of the coming hurricane season in May, and updates its outlook for the season each August. Hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 31 each year.
“This increase in the number of expected storms really underscores the need for everyone to be prepared,” said Renita Hosler, disaster spokesperson for the American Red Cross. “Disaster preparedness is essential. Organize your supplies and have them in one location. Write out a contact list of who to call, preferably outside of your area, to let them know you are safe. Doing things like this ahead of any disaster give people a chance to take charge when the uncertainty of something like a hurricane approaches.”
Bell said the U.S. has been experiencing active hurricane seasons since 1995, primarily because the tropical climate patterns that control hurricanes have been very favorable for the storms, including warmer water in the Atlantic to fuel the storms.
The ninth storm of the season, now known as Tropical Depression 9, is heading toward the Caribbean, but the storm is poorly defined and probably will not reach hurricane strength or make it to the U.S. according to forecasters.
For more information on preparing for major storms, visit the hurricane preparedness section of RedCross.org.
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