Peak hurricane activity strikes in late August, September and early October. With climatic indicators on neutral, the prominent forecasters of nature's biggest storms are projecting an average season. US government experts say residents of the Caribbean basin and the US East and Gulf coasts are likely to see five to seven hurricanes and eight to 11 tropical storms. The costliest US hurricane ever, 1992's Andrew, the most powerful, the 1935 Labor Day storm that ravaged the Florida Keys, and the deadliest, the 1900 Galveston, Texas, hurricane that killed more than 8,000 people, all happened in relatively quiet years for hurricane activity. Last year was an exceptionally busy season with 14 named storms but none threatened the US coast.
Nobody can say with any great confidence what kind of season it's going to be.
El Nino is a very strong negative influence on hurricane formation. But we don't have one and we don't think we're going to get one. A recent poll commissioned by the American Red Cross found that while 58 percent of US coastal residents from North Carolina to Texas are worried about the danger of hurricanes, nearly half do not have evacuation plans or disaster supply kits at the ready. Thirty percent have not made alternative living arrangements in case they are forced to evacuate in the face of a hurricane, the poll found. The Institute, funded by the Marmon Group of Companies, will bring Junior Achievers from over 67 countries together to participate in workshops, network with each other, share experiences, explore career goals, and develop the future entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow.