Hurricane Season in Hurricane Alley, North Carolina

The 2006 Hurricane Season Begins June 1st.

North Carolina is preparing for the worst-case scenario. On the coast one county will stage an exercise today (Tuesday may 23rd) in that they will have a CAT-5 hurricane bearing down on the NC coast. They will make decisions on evacuations, how to evacuate, when to evacuate, the roads to be used to evacuate and a blue million other decisions that would have to be made in the event such a storm does, indeed, strike our coast this season, or any season in the future, for that matter.

See the story at:

http://www.wwaytv3.com/global/story.asp?s=4929600

There are a number of military installations along or near NC’s coast. One of the largest is the huge Marine Base, Camp Lejeune. There must be coordination between military, and civilian, emergency officials in order for interaction between the two to be as smooth as possible.

One coastal county is even going a step further and including the “break-out” of Avian (Bird) flu to coincide with the approach of the hurricane. The idea is to put as much strain on the emergency management system, as possible, to find the areas that are most likely to break down in a real emergency and “fix” them NOW.

From 1990 to 1996, North Carolina was hit by 25 hurricanes. Eleven of them were major storms. There is hardly a year that we are not hit by a hurricane. Experience has taught us to rely on ourselves when the storm hits. We always prepare for the worst and hope for the best. This year Tar heels are being warned to expect a devestating hurricane to strike somewhere along our 300+ mile coastline.

North Carolina’s coast line creates a “catcher’s mitt” for Atlantic hurricanes. See illustration:





<Notice the indention in the southern coastline of the state. THAT'S the "Catcher's Mitt"

Gov. Mike Easley has proclaimed the week of May 21-27 Hurricane Preparedness Week. As you peruse the governor’s proclamation, note how he stresses individual responsibility:

Gov. Easley Proclaims May 21-27 Hurricane Preparedness WeekUrges Citizens to Prepare Now for Busy Storm Season

RALEIGH – The National Weather Service is predicting another active hurricane season this year. To remind North Carolinians that preparation is key to storm safety, Gov. Mike Easley today proclaimed May 21-27 as Hurricane Preparedness Week. He urged North Carolina residents and visitors throughout the state to prepare for the possibility of hurricanes and the damaging winds, tornados, floods and landsides that accompany the storms that typically strike from June through November.

“We are in a decade of unprecedented hurricane activity and it is imperative that residents across the state take severe weather warnings seriously and prepare for weather-related disasters,” Easley said. “People should plan now for potential emergencies which might include an evacuation or loss of power for several days. Families should have an emergency plan and necessary supplies on hand in case a storm strikes.”
While the force of a storm cannot be controlled, proper planning can help mitigate damage and loss of life. In 2004 hurricanes and tropical storms Alex, Bonnie, Charley, Frances, Gaston, Ivan and Jeanne caused more than a dozen deaths and left hundreds of millions of dollars in damages in 50 counties across the state. As the 2006 hurricane season approaches, the National Weather Service predicts the odds of a significant hurricane strike in North Carolina have increased.
“While the coast is the most vulnerable to a direct hurricane strike, inland cities and towns can also be devastated by high winds, flooding and tornados,” Easley said. “In 2004, the western half of the state saw significant damage from the tropical storms.”

The National Weather Service, the State Division of Emergency Management and local government officials work together before, during and after a hurricane or tropical storm to reduce the dangers posed to lives and property and provide a quick, effective response to these storms. On May 22, N.C. Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty, National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Orrock and N.C. Division of Emergency Management Director Doug Hoell will hold a press conference to discuss the 2006 hurricane season and announce a new public awareness campaign designed to help people prepare for emergencies.
“Observe Hurricane Preparedness Week by making or updating your family disaster plan and assembling or updating your disaster supply kit,” Easley said. “Prepare now.”


The Emergency Preparedness Kit

Begin with a waterproof box or container with a tight fitting lid. Put in non-perishable food and a gallon of water per person per day to last three to five days. The kit should also include the following essentials:
· Water purification kit or bleach
· First-aid kit and first-aid book
· Baby supplies and formula
· Non-electric can opener
· Anti-bacterial hand wipes or gel
· Blanket or sleeping bag per person
· Flashlight and extra batteries
· Portable radio, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration weather radio or television, and extra batteries
· Essential medications
· Extra pair of eyeglasses
· Extra house and car keys
· Fire extinguisher - ABC-type
· Food, water, leash and carrier for pets
· Cash and change
· Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes
Questions about Hurricane Awareness Week activities or hurricane preparedness can be directed to county or state emergency management agencies. Preparedness information is available on the Internet at http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/ or at the national hurricane awareness site at http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/.
# # #

Here in North Carolina we take Hurricane season SERIOUSLY. We have learned, from long experience, that when the chips are down… rely on yourself and your own resources.

In the next few weeks Tar Heels will be stocking up on canned goods, bottled gas, batteries, water, emergency radios, among other things. We’ll be brushing off, and updating, our own evacuation routes to beat a hasty retreat to the west. (The problem with retreating west is … there is no guarantee the storm will not follow… as they have done so many times.)

So now we wait and keep a “weather eye” toward the east. Each disturbance dropping off the western coast of North Africa becomes a threat... instantly. We watch those tiny storms develop and we watch their paths across the Atlantic. There are certain tracks that will lead “old timers” to predict landfall of the storm, on the Southeastern NC coast, with remarkable accuracy.

One thing we know. We will get hit. Just exactly where, and when, is not certain. But, we will be prepared... as best we can be.

Longstreet