A Look at the Current Hurricane Drought
Did you know that a "major hurricane" hasn't hit the U.S. Gulf or East Coast in more than a decade? Experts are dreading the potential damage that may occur once this "hurricane drought" finally ends, especially with the increased population and wealth in coastal areas. Keep reading to learn more about the recent lack of hurricanes in the U.S.
A major hurricane is one containing maximum sustained winds of at lease 111 mph, and is classified as a Category 3 or higher. Since Hurricane Wilma struck Florida in 2005, there have been 27 major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean basin. The entire Gulf of Mexico and the coastline from Florida to Texas, have not had a hurricane hit for almost 3 full years, the longest period since hurricane record-keeping began in 1851. The last hurricane to traverse the gulf was Hurricane Ingrid in September 2013.
Scientists have no solid explanation for why this hurricane drought is happening. The number of hurricanes forming in the Atlantic over the past decade has been close to normal, but many have either just remained over the ocean or hit other countries. While some researchers have commented on the fact that a recurring area of low pressure near the U.S. East Coast in recent years could have repelled some storms, most are boiling it down to pure luck. It's only a matter of time before this so called luck reverses and a major hurricane hits the U.S. again.
The lack of recent hurricane activity has created less concern among U.S. residents, and experts expect that people are going to be shocked by the magnitude of the disaster when it does occur. Growing coastal populations raise concerns about being prepared. According to The Associated Press, Florida's coastal communities have added 1.5 million people and almost a half-million new homes since 2005, when the last major hurricane hit. Since hurricane damage is directly related to the amount of wealth in an area, loss potential in some coastal areas may now be twice as high than it was a decade ago.
The importance of preparing before a storm happens cannot be stressed enough. Hurricane and flood mitigation plans will help decrease the amount of destruction caused by a major hurricane when this drought ends. If you live in a coastal area or even inland, talk to your community leaders about investing in flood protection. Big Bags USA® offers the most economical flood barriers on the market, and we're always ready to help local, state and federal agencies be prepared! Give us a call at 800-337-0537 for more information on our innovative flood control products.
U.S. Major Hurricanes
A major hurricane is one containing maximum sustained winds of at lease 111 mph, and is classified as a Category 3 or higher. Since Hurricane Wilma struck Florida in 2005, there have been 27 major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean basin. The entire Gulf of Mexico and the coastline from Florida to Texas, have not had a hurricane hit for almost 3 full years, the longest period since hurricane record-keeping began in 1851. The last hurricane to traverse the gulf was Hurricane Ingrid in September 2013.
Hurricane Drought
Scientists have no solid explanation for why this hurricane drought is happening. The number of hurricanes forming in the Atlantic over the past decade has been close to normal, but many have either just remained over the ocean or hit other countries. While some researchers have commented on the fact that a recurring area of low pressure near the U.S. East Coast in recent years could have repelled some storms, most are boiling it down to pure luck. It's only a matter of time before this so called luck reverses and a major hurricane hits the U.S. again.
Hurricane Preparedness
The lack of recent hurricane activity has created less concern among U.S. residents, and experts expect that people are going to be shocked by the magnitude of the disaster when it does occur. Growing coastal populations raise concerns about being prepared. According to The Associated Press, Florida's coastal communities have added 1.5 million people and almost a half-million new homes since 2005, when the last major hurricane hit. Since hurricane damage is directly related to the amount of wealth in an area, loss potential in some coastal areas may now be twice as high than it was a decade ago.
Big Bags USA® Can Help!
The importance of preparing before a storm happens cannot be stressed enough. Hurricane and flood mitigation plans will help decrease the amount of destruction caused by a major hurricane when this drought ends. If you live in a coastal area or even inland, talk to your community leaders about investing in flood protection. Big Bags USA® offers the most economical flood barriers on the market, and we're always ready to help local, state and federal agencies be prepared! Give us a call at 800-337-0537 for more information on our innovative flood control products.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
If you have an immediate need for our systems, or have any questions for us, please Call us Toll Free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.
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