June 1 marks the start of what forecasters are saying will be another active Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting there will be at least 13 to 16 named storms during the hurricane season, which extends from June 1 through November 30. NOAA predicts that eight to ten of those storms will become hurricanes, with four to six turning into major hurricanes as a Category 3 or higher.

Although the prediction for this year is for fewer storms than last year, it should be remembered that last year forecasters only predicted seven to nine would become hurricanes, and three to five of those would be Category 3 or stronger.  As it turned out, there were far more -- breaking all records -- with 28 named storms and 15 hurricanes, seven of which were Category 3 or higher.

Something else to consider are landfall predictions. Colorado State University’s chief hurricane forecaster William Gray says the probability of at least one intense hurricane making landfall during the 2006 hurricane season is 81 percent for the entire U.S. coastline. The average is 52 percent. The probability of a major strike on the eastern U.S. coast, including the Florida peninsula, is 64 percent, while the average is 31 percent. And the Gulf Coast, from the Florida panhandle to Brownsville, Texas, has a 47 percent chance of seeing a major hurricane make landfall, well above the average 30 percent chance.

PIA Agents Advise Homeowners to Check Their Insurance (5/26/06)
 
Is FEMA Ready Now? (Federal Times 5/30/06)
 
With Each Hurricane, Nature Slower to Mend (Baltimore Sun 5/28/06)
 
PIA’s Brevik Praises Reforms Following PIA of Florida Forum (5/19/06)
 
PIA of La. Stresses Preparation for 2006 Hurricane Season (Insurance Journal 5/24/06)

May 31, 2006