Each spring the professional weather watchers let us know their predictions for the upcoming hurricane season.
And each spring we wonder whether those predictions are going to ring true.
Looking at this year’s prognostication, we hope not.
The long-range forecast predicts 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.
It’s the latter prediction that has us most concerned.
Many will recall that a major hurricane by the name of Ivan struck the Cayman Islands in September 2004.
That storm left behind damage to more than 90 per cent of the buildings on Grand Cayman.
There are still people living in Ivan damaged homes and those who still don’t have replacement abodes. The temporary trailers brought in from the United States to house hurricane victims are still in use.
We’re just not ready for another major storm.
What’s most troubling about the prediction from Scientists Philip Klotzbach and William Gray is that the forecast could be increased in June to include more storms if current trends in the Atlantic Ocean persist.
Yes, their forecasts could be wrong. They sorely missed the mark in making the prediction in 2005 of a timid hurricane season. We all remember what Hurricanes Dennis, Emily, Katrina, Rita and Wilma wrought. Actually, the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active in recorded history. The impact of the season left 2,280 people dead and damages of more than $128 billion.
Then in 2006-2007 the pair overestimated hurricane activity.
Bottom line, no one really knows what this hurricane season is going to be like.
Our advice: Don’t wait for the updated forecast in June to get ready for what’s already being touted a busy hurricane season.
The 2008 hurricane season doesn’t start until 1 June, but that’s only one month and 20 days away from today.
Don’t wait until the last minute when just about everyone will be scrambling for hurricane supplies, which may at that time be in short supply.
Take this time to check your hurricane supplies and discard anything that has expired, especially foodstuffs.
Make sure you know now whether you should leave your home and seek shelter in a storm and go ahead and develop a plan.
Businesses, too, need to make sure they have a doable hurricane plan and keep in mind that employees will need time to prepare their homes if a storm threatens.
Those who are new to our Islands can get hurricane preparedness information from the Government or Cayman Free Press, which produces a hurricane preparation guide each year. Last year’s edition is still available at our offices on Shedden Road.
Who knows what this year’s hurricane season will bring.
Just make sure you’re prepared
Our advice: Don’t wait for the updated forecast in June to get ready for what’s already being touted a busy hurricane season.
Related Videos
