Community Corner
Hurricane Season is Here: Is it Time to Batten Down the Hatches?
The National Hurricane Center releases its outlook for the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins June 1.
Last year, experts said to expect a busy hurricane season and it was the least active in 30 years. This year, they're saying not to expect much activity.
The National Hurricane Center echoed experts' predictions for average to below average activity in its Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook released May 22.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. In its outlook, which takes into account current and expected conditions, combined with model forecasts, the National Hurricane Center estimate a 70% probability for each of the following ranges of activity during 2014:
- 8-13 named storms
- 3-6 hurricanes
- 1-2 major hurricanes
One variable here: El Nino. "One uncertainty in this 2014 outlook lies in exactly when El Niño will develop and how strong it will become," the Center states. "Cooler Atlantic SSTs [sea surface temperatures] and a stronger El Niño could produce activity levels near the lower end of the predicted ranges, while warmer Atlantic SSTs and a weaker El Niño could result in activity toward the higher end of the predicted ranges."
As it does each year, the Center will release another outlook in early August, ahead of the peak of hurricane season.
Be Prepared
As hurricane season draws near, officials at every level of government and public safety have been urging residents to be sure they are prepared for the worst. Here are three resources to get you started:- National Hurricane Center Preparedness Page
- Ready.Gov's Hurricane Safety Tips
- How to Get Kids Involved in Preparedness
What's in a Name?
In the Atlantic Ocean, tropical storms that reach a sustained wind speed of 39 miles per hour are given a name, such as "Tropical Storm Fran." If the storm reaches a sustained wind speed of 74 miles per hour it is called a hurricane — such as "Hurricane Fran." So, hurricanes are not given names, tropical storms are given names, and they retain their name if they develop into a hurricane.
If the 2014 season does see a tropical storm/hurricane, here are the names you'll see:
Find out what's happening in Sayville-Bayportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Arthur
- Bertha
- Cristobal
- Dolly
- Edouard
- Fay
- Gonzalo
- Hanna
- Isaias
- Josephine
- Kyle
- Laura
- Marco
- Nana
- Omar
- Paulette
- Rene
- Sally
- Teddy
- Vicky
- Wilfred
- Agnes 1972
- Alicia 1983
- Allen 1980
- Allison 2001
- Andrew 1992
- Anita 1977
- Audrey 1957
- Betsy 1965
- Beulah 1967
- Bob 1991
- Camille 1969
- Carla 1961
- Carmen 1974
- Carol 1954
- Celia 1970
- Cesar 1996
- Charley 2004
- Cleo 1964
- Connie 1955
- David 1979
- Dean 2007
- Dennis 2005
- Diana 1990
- Diane 1955
- Donna 1960
- Dora 1964
- Edna 1968
- Elena 1985
- Eloise 1975
- Fabian 2003
- Felix 2007
- Fifi 1974
- Flora 1963
- Floyd 1999
- Fran 1996
- Frances 2004
- Frederic 1979
- Georges 1998
- Gilbert 1988
- Gloria 1985
- Gustav 2008
- Hattie 1961
- Hazel 1954
- Hilda 1964
- Hortense 1996
- Hugo 1989
- Igor 2010
- Ike 2008
- Inez 1966
- Ingrid 2013
- Ione 1955
- Irene 2011
- Iris 2001
- Isabel 2003
- Isidore 2002
- Ivan 2004
- Janet 1955
- Jeanne 2004
- Joan 1988
- Juan 2003
- Katrina 2005
- Keith 2000
- Klaus 1990
- Lenny 1999
- Lili 2002
- Luis 1995
- Marilyn 1995
- Michelle 2001
- Mitch 1998
- Noel 2007
- Opal 1995
- Paloma 2008
- Rita 2005
- Roxanne 1995
- Sandy 2012
- Stan 2005
- Tomas 2010
- Wilma 2005
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