Hurricane season begins June 1. (Center, Anthony: beaches, food, oil)

[CptnRn]

Hurricane season begins June 1. This does not bode well. I hate to think of what an oily mess gulf coast beaches will be like after a hurricane blows through. It looks like chances are we will have more then usual for the season.

US predicts up to 7 major Atlantic hurricanes (http://www.statesman.com/news/texas/us-predicts-up-to-7-major-atlantic-hurricanes-712275.html?srcTrk=RTR_661354 - broken link)

The Atlantic hurricane season will likely be a busy one that may spawn as many as 23 named tropical storms, including up to seven major hurricanes, a number that's not likely to be affected by the Gulf oil spill, the U.S. government said Thursday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that eight to 14 storms would strengthen into hurricanes, with top winds of 74 mph or higher. Three to seven of those could become major storms that reach Category 3 or higher — meaning they bring sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

"If this outlook holds true, this season could be one of the more active on record," NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco said in a statement. "The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall. In short, we urge everyone to be prepared."

[EasilyAmused]

Last year was supposed to be a super active season too......nothing.

[DANNYY]

I'm not underestimating this. Good idea to stock up on bottled water and food during the active months.

[AnthonySA]

Who cares how active a hurricane season is... it only takes 1 storm to do major damage to your house. Always prepare in coastal regions

[CptnRn]

The National Hurricane Center has some interesting information regarding the effect of a hurricane on the oil spill. One of the few positive notes:

What will the hurricane do to the oil slick in
the Gulf?
• The high winds and seas will mix and “weather”
the oil which can help accelerate the
biodegradation process.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/hurrican..._factsheet.pdf

[car957]

Pure speculation. We've never experienced such a spill and the oceanographic scientists are scratching their heads. This is bigger than the spill in Prince William Sound with the Exxon Valdez. NOAA is pharting speculations - their fact sheet has no real substantiation.

[Poltracker]

Originally Posted by car957

Pure speculation. We've never experienced such a spill and the oceanographic scientists are scratching their heads. This is bigger than the spill in Prince William Sound with the Exxon Valdez. NOAA is pharting speculations - their fact sheet has no real substantiation.

I guess you are right in saying "we've" never experienced this, but I would point out the 1979 rig blow out in the Bay of Campeche as being very similar. That one went on for 9 months before it was capped and dumped plenty of oil.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Hurricane season begins June 1. This does not bode well. I hate to think of what an oily mess gulf coast beaches will be like after a hurricane blows through. It looks like chances are we will have more then usual for the season.

Actually, a hurricane dissipated the oil slick from Pemex's 1979 Ixtapa blowout (the worst blowout in history) to the point of being undetectable.

A hurricane coming ashore between Louisiana and Florida might not be such a bad thing (from an oil spill perspective anyway).

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Last year was supposed to be a super active season too......nothing.

Actually last year was predicted to be a quit season and it was. But I put no faith in weathermen anymore, like Anthony said it only takes one hitting your area to make a bad season, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.