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The 2003 hurricane
season is well underway, and we’re off to a pretty good start.
All the signs indicate an active season ahead of us—in more
ways than one.
Word about the coming season first started trickling down in December
2002, with the early seasonal forecast issued by William Gray and
the tropical storm researchers at Colorado State University. That
information was updated and supported by NOAA’s National Hurricane
Center in May and June, which anticipates six to nine hurricanes
in the Atlantic this season.
The importance of these forecasts was noted by President George
W. Bush when he declared May 18 to 24 as National Hurricane Awareness
Week. The key to reducing the loss of life and property, he and
other officials said, was being prepared: knowing the dangers and
having a plan.
NOAA forecasters; National Weather Service Director, retired Air
Force Brig. Gen. Jack Kelly; and Max Mayfield, National Hurricane
Center director, traveled on a five-day, five-city tour along the
East Coast to meet with local officials, media and the public to
further stress the importance of preparedness. Their objective was
to increase the awareness of hurricane dangers, especially as our
nation’s coastal population continues to rise, increasing the
number of people living in vulnerable areas.
Standing ready as always is the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA). The men and women of FEMA are the ones we’ve come to
associate with federal assistance in relief, recovery and rebuilding
following a natural disaster such as a hurricane, but chances are
FEMA personnel had been on-site long before the disaster occurred.
The agency’s planning and mitigation programs attempt to lessen
the impact of hurricanes by evaluating and improving evacuation
plans and shelters; developing designs for hazard resistant construction;
and recommending improvements to state and local regulatory programs—all
before the first winds of a hurricane begin to blow. This month’s
cover story reviews FEMA’s efforts in more detail.
Finally, on May 16 and 17 the hurricane protection industry met
at the Second Annual World of Hurricane Protection Trade Show &
Conference (see page 25). Even with the industry at one of its lowest
points, there was enthusiasm on the trade show floor with new products
and product improvements being shown for the first time.
As we enter the most critical period of this season, the industry
is aware of and prepared for whatever nature has in store for us.
Howard Shingle, EDITOR
Kerri Caldwell, ASSOCIATE EDITOR |
