Post by ppat324 on May 20, 2011 1:45:24 GMT -5
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Today is the day when people wonder whether living in Florida is a good idea or not. It's a day all Floridians marks on their calendars hoping for good news. Of course, there never is any good news on this day, but it's still nice to hope.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more commonly known down here as NOAA, is set to make its annual hurricane season forecast Thursday.
Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean starts June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The two weeks prior are dedicated to hurricane awareness education. Even as school children, Floridians are taught how to track hurricanes on the free maps handed out every year at the local supermarkets.
In the last few years, Florida has dealt some bizarre weather and mishaps; surprisingly enough, none of them were hurricanes. The state has endured tornado outbreaks, wildfires and incredibly unusual crop freezes. Furthermore, Florida coasts were affected by tar produced by the Gulf Oil Spill.
In fact, the last time Floridians were actually affected by a hurricane was in 2005, when Katrina made a pit stop on its way to New Orleans. Wilma left most of south Florida without power.
But that doesn't mean that Floridians shouldn't worry. NOAA never aims to predict where hurricanes will land in its annual forecast, but researchers do seem to come pretty close to nailing the number of storms that will form.
NOAA's prediction for the 2010 season was very accurate. According to St. Petersburg Times, forecasters predicted 14 to 20 named storms, eight to 12 hurricanes, and three to six major hurricanes. The 2010 season actually yielded 19 named storms, 15 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes, making it the busiest season in 116 years.
None of these storms hit Florida, or even the United States for that matter, but when several storms are brewing, the chances of being hit increase drastically.
With two weeks remaining until the kick-off of hurricane season, the Sun Sentinel reports Gov. Rick Scott has urged Floridians to be prepared for anything. After all, Florida dominates the category of hurricane-battered states.
Scott also expressed his confidence in the state's first responders and emergency personnel. Bryan Koon, the director of the state's emergency management, has already assured the public that the Florida National Guard and businesses are on high alert.
Regardless of the outcome this season, one thing remains certain: If any state is prepared to deal with hurricanes, it's Florida.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more commonly known down here as NOAA, is set to make its annual hurricane season forecast Thursday.
Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean starts June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The two weeks prior are dedicated to hurricane awareness education. Even as school children, Floridians are taught how to track hurricanes on the free maps handed out every year at the local supermarkets.
In the last few years, Florida has dealt some bizarre weather and mishaps; surprisingly enough, none of them were hurricanes. The state has endured tornado outbreaks, wildfires and incredibly unusual crop freezes. Furthermore, Florida coasts were affected by tar produced by the Gulf Oil Spill.
In fact, the last time Floridians were actually affected by a hurricane was in 2005, when Katrina made a pit stop on its way to New Orleans. Wilma left most of south Florida without power.
But that doesn't mean that Floridians shouldn't worry. NOAA never aims to predict where hurricanes will land in its annual forecast, but researchers do seem to come pretty close to nailing the number of storms that will form.
NOAA's prediction for the 2010 season was very accurate. According to St. Petersburg Times, forecasters predicted 14 to 20 named storms, eight to 12 hurricanes, and three to six major hurricanes. The 2010 season actually yielded 19 named storms, 15 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes, making it the busiest season in 116 years.
None of these storms hit Florida, or even the United States for that matter, but when several storms are brewing, the chances of being hit increase drastically.
With two weeks remaining until the kick-off of hurricane season, the Sun Sentinel reports Gov. Rick Scott has urged Floridians to be prepared for anything. After all, Florida dominates the category of hurricane-battered states.
Scott also expressed his confidence in the state's first responders and emergency personnel. Bryan Koon, the director of the state's emergency management, has already assured the public that the Florida National Guard and businesses are on high alert.
Regardless of the outcome this season, one thing remains certain: If any state is prepared to deal with hurricanes, it's Florida.