Hurricane Season Likely Near Normal

Forecasters from the Climate Prediction Center say they now expect this year’s hurricane season – which starts on Sunday – to be near normal or above normal. But considering the fact that a new survey has found many people are reluctant to evacuate, will this forecast cause complacency?

According to an article on the MSNBC website, experts from the Center have predicted there is a 60 to 70 percent chance of 12 to 16 named storms, six to nine hurricanes and two to five major hurricanes forming. They also predicted a 65 percent probability of an above normal season and a 25 percent probability of a near normal season. “This means there is a 90 percent chance of a near or above normal season,” the center stated.

According to MSNBC, an average season has 11 named storms, including six hurricanes for which two reach major status. The experts, however, didn’t predict whether, where or when any of these storms might hit land.

“Americans in hurricane-prone states must get serious and be prepared,” FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison said in a statement. “Government — even with the federal, tribal, state and local governments working perfectly in sync — is not the entire answer. Everyone is part of the emergency management process. We must continue to develop a culture of preparedness in America in which every American takes personal responsibility for his or her own emergency preparedness.”

MSNBC says a new survey from the Allstate Insurance Company has found, however, that 39 percent of Houston-area residents said they would not evacuate if a major hurricane was heading for the area.

Of those who said they would stay, 52 percent cited massive traffic jams as a reason and 40 percent said they would want to protect their home from possible looting. Seventy-nine percent cited a sense that they’d be safe at home.

To read the full article, click here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24775844/