Third, NDRI should help communities and businesses safeguard jobs in hazard prone areas. The jet flies at 45,000 feet around the hurricane to measure and define the steering currents that guide these storms. We had a limited number of trials last year using the jet and its instrument packages, yet data collected improved the track forecast by as much as 32 percent in the critical 24-36 hours when forecasters issue storm warnings and watches. 10 named storms, seven hurricanes, with two reaching major intensity. Jarrell also cautioned that hurricanes are always life-threatening and potentially destructive.
Vigilance is necessary, even if the number of storms is low.
He noted that the destructiveness of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the nation's costliest storm, and last year's Hurricane Danny both caused serious hardships while occurring in otherwise quiet seasons. At NOAA, our efforts range from national policy coordination to the continuation of hurricane research. In the final analysis, though, it comes down to the most important link in the chain, the public. The people in front of a hurricane have to take personal responsibility. They have to make a plan.