Well, today is the first day of the season.
Which season, you ask? On the first day of June, anyone asking that question is definitely not from Florida. On the first day of June, every true Floridian knows exactly what season to which anyone is referring when talking about “the season.”
Today is the first official day of the 2011 Hurricane Season.
This is big news. This year, those who prognosticate such things as cyclonic storms in the tropical and semi-tropical climes say there is going to be more than the normal number of storms. Additionally, they will be stronger than past years.
The team at Colorado State University predicts there will be 16 named tropical storms this season. Of these, nine will become hurricanes and five will fall into the “major” category. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts 12 to 18 named storms with six to 10 becoming hurricanes and with three to six of those hurricanes falling into the major category.
For those who live and work in Florida, hurricanes are serious business. Already, there are storms popping up in the tropics that have the eye of many weather observers. Indeed, by tomorrow, the first tropical system may come ashore and, with the dry conditions that now exist in Florida, many are hoping and praying the storm does come across land with significant rains. Many would like to see it hit shore as a tropical depression, or storm; not as a hurricane. Sometimes, the Florida landscape needs water and there is nothing better for the land than a tropical storm that sits for two or three days dumping water on parched land.
It is odd that Florida is dry while Louisiana and the plains have faced serious flooding problems over the last month. With extreme storms and tornadoes ripping through the Midwest and Atlantic states, this is a hint that the Florida hurricane season is going to be tough.
In recent times, Florida has suffered quite a lot in terms of strong hurricanes. In fact, there are still “blue roofs” around the peninsula from the hurricanes of two and three years ago.
The important thing to remember concerning hurricanes is this: listen to the authorities and do what they tell you to do. If local law enforcement agencies say pack up and leave, do it. Don’t delay. If a hurricane is approaching, get out of the way.
Many who are unfamiliar with the destruction a hurricane is capable of may be tempted to invite friends over and have a “hurricane party.” This is the wrong thing to do. A strong hurricane can put anyone in extreme danger and alcohol impairment may just hasten the end of one’s life.
As we move into the summer months, it is time to keep an eye on the tropical weather and radar. Those of us with experience already started paying attention.
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© 2011 J. Clark
Been through em all since Betsy, Cleo and Donna. Usta make coupla hunnert bucks cleaning up yards, cutting and stacking limbs. $300 for a 10 year old kid was millionaire time. Without power 9 days here in North Miami from Andrew. Wilma hit us harder than Katrina. Yes, still blue roofs around. I really get a good laugh watching all the people stock up on food at the grocery store. The wrong kind. Stupid jerks. How are they going to cook it with no power? The proof that schools are not for education but for baby sitting is that the neighborhoods nearest schools have priority for FPL to restore power.
I remember those, too, Carl. And I agree, the schools are not doing the job of proparing our citizens to face the true challenges of life. I also remember cleaning up after each storm.
Hoping you and Ardis remain safe during this hurricane season and all those around you.
Thanks, Jeanne. I think we’ll be okay. Like Carl, all us true Floridians know how to handle hurricanes. If it is a “little” one, we hunker down. If it is a “big ‘un,” we’ll pack up and get out of the state. Hey, mind if we visit? I don’t think I have ever heard of a hurrucane going all the way that far north…
You and Ardis are always welcome. In just another month we will have three empty bedrooms. It will seem awfully quiet around here then.
I do have to warn you we do get tornados but they are rare where we live.
I wish we would have had more time on our last visit to Florida for another visit with you and Ardis.
Now see, those are really scary–tornadoes–and earthquakes. Hard to predict those… What are you going to do with all the free time you will gain from having empty bedrooms?