Friday, August 5 – Colorado State University’s leading forecaster, Professor
William Gray and Research Scientist Philip J. Klotzbatch have maintained their
forecast issued in early April and early June and continue to call for a very
active Atlantic Hurricane Season in 2011.
According to forecasters a well
above-average probability of major hurricane landfall is expected for the United
States and Caribbean.
On June 1 the scientists estimated this year’s
hurricane season will have about nine hurricanes, 16 named storms, and five
intense hurricanes developing to at least Category 3 strength, or higher.
A
comparative official report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) highlighting its official Atlantic Hurricane Seasonal
Outlook also revealed that this year’s season can expect a 65 percent chance of
an above normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 10
percent chance of a below-normal season.
Gray and Klotzbatch have maintained
their predictions in saying that the season is expected to see about 80 named
storm days, 35 hurricane days and 10 intense hurricane days.
On the 1st day
of June the Department of Disaster Management began its Hurricane Preparedness
Campaign, under the theme “Get Prepared, Be Prepared”, with a message from
Governor Boyd McCleary outlining the key related issues.
Throughout the
season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30, the DDM will continue
to partner with all local media to issue public service announcements and other
types of information to provide guidance for residents as they continue to make
their preparations for this hurricane season. In the coming weeks the DDM, in
collaboration with the VI Standpoint, will launch the annual Hurricane Guide,
which will include topics on hurricane preparedness, flooding and landslides as
well as information about other hazards and how to prepare for their possible
impact.
All residents and visitors are urged to pay close attention to the
information being broadcast or printed and to ensure that they remain in a
heightened state of readiness for the next four months.
For more information
on Hurricane Preparedness please visit the DDM’s website at www.bviddm.com or visit our offices at #3
Wailing Road, MacNamara, Tortola.
