‘Busy’ Hurricane Season Begins On June 1

Meteorologists are predicting  the 2011 hurricane season will be a busy one,  forecasting as many as 16 named storms in the Atlantic.

Nine of those storms are expected to turn into hurricanes — five of them major.

The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was described as “hyperactive” by scientists, the most active  since 2005. It tied with 1995 and 1887 for the third largest number of named storms, with 19, and it also tied with the 1969 season and 1887 for the second largest number of hurricanes, with 12.

Forecasters say this year warm surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and the lack of hurricane-killing wind shear is the perfect combination to produce another active season.

When Bermuda marked Hurricane Awareness Week earlier this month, National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief issued a stark warning to locals, cautioning them to be mindful of the island’s recent history with hurricanes.

“We must never forget the tragedy of Hurricane Fabian in 2003, and should learn from our experiences to ensure that lives are protected, as we also focus on the security of property and livelihoods.

“We cannot prevent the approach or onset of hurricanes, but we can become more resilient by reducing our impacts by decreasing vulnerability and raising preparedness against this potentially deadly hazard.”

Last September Bermuda came close to receiving the full fury of Hurricane Igor — which was packing sustained winds of more than 90 miles per hour as it bore down on the island — but the storm brushed past doing little damage.

The satellite photograph at top shows Igor making its closest point of approach to Bermuda on September 19.

Recently Minister Perinchief convened a meeting of the Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO] in order to be briefed on the relevant EMO agencies’ preparations and plans for the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season which commences on June 1 and extends until November 30.

“All agencies reported on their readiness to meet the challenges posed by a hurricane and I was pleased to note an executive well versed in the protocols and practicalities of hurricane relief in Bermuda,” the Minister said

The EMO executive also considered the results of a commissioned survey post- Hurricane Igor which indicated areas of concern and commendation from residents.

“We will continue to improve our communication in the run-up to any storm and ensure that reliable, clear information is provided in the aftermath of significant weather events. Our media team will be meeting to address these issues,” the Minister continued.

In light of last year’s enhanced Atlantic hurricane activity and the specific impact of Hurricane Igor, the Minister said it is important to continue the successes in disaster preparedness that Bermuda already achieves.

The Bermuda Weather Service [BWS] has prepared a number of hurricane-related Public Service Announcements for permanent display via its website.

By clicking the Hurricane Awareness Week icon on the main page, users can view and listen to exhaustively prepared video presentations online.

Presentations include information on BWS and EMO operations, Watches, Warnings and Threat criteria, Preparedness Planning and specific hazards associated with hurricanes.

The EMO wants to ensure that every resident of Bermuda is prepared in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency the EMO is enacted and will keep the public informed as information is available.

The public is reminded that EMO is the official source for Government information during an emergency.

The EMO website www.emobermuda.com operates in conjunction with the Government’s emergency radio station 100.1 FM and represents one of the two locations for official information disseminated to the public by the Government of Bermuda.

Information on this page is designed to prepare Bermudians and Bermuda residents for what to do before, during and after a storm.

#HurricaneIgor #Weather

Category: All, Environment, News