Threat of Major Hurricane Strike Grows for Northeast U.S.

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(New York, NY - March 20, 2006) - The northeast U.S. coast could be the target of a major hurricane, perhaps as early as this season, according to research announced today by the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center. In terms of number of storms, the 2006 hurricane season will again be more active than normal, but less active than last summer's historic storm season.

"The Northeast is staring down the barrel of a gun," said Joe Bastardi, Chief Forecaster of the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center. "The Northeast coast is long overdue for a powerful hurricane, and with the weather patterns and hydrology we're seeing in the oceans, the likelihood of a major hurricane making landfall in the Northeast is not a question of if but when."

AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center research meteorologists have identified weather cycles that indicate which U.S. coastal areas are most susceptible to landfalls. "If you examine past weather cycles that have occurred in the Atlantic, you will see patterns of storms," added Ken Reeves, Expert Senior Meteorologist and Director of Forecasting Operations at AccuWeather.com. "Determination of where we are in the cycle has enabled AccuWeather.com meteorologists to accurately predict hurricane activity in Florida in 2004 and along the Gulf Coast last year. There are indications that the Northeast will experience a hurricane larger and more powerful than anything that region has seen in a long time."

The current cycle and above-normal water temperatures are reminiscent of the pattern that eventually produced the 1938 hurricane that struck Providence, R.I. That storm killed 600 people in New England and Long Island. The 1938 hurricane was the strongest tropical system to strike the northeastern U.S. in recorded history, with maximum gusts of 186 mph, a 15- to 20-foot storm surge and 25- to 50-foot waves that left much of Providence under 10-15 feet of water. Forecasters at AccuWeather.com say that patterns are similar to those of the 1930s, 40s and 50s when storms such as the 1938 hurricane, the 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricanes and the Trio of 1954--Carol, Edna and Hazel--battered the coast from the Carolinas to New England. The worry is that it will be sooner, rather than later, for this region to be blasted again.

[...]

Because a hurricane of this magnitude has not made landfall in the northeastern U.S. in nearly 60 years, few Americans are even aware that hurricanes can and do directly impact this part of the country. Because most hurricanes in the last 50 years have been a southern U.S. phenomenon, preparedness for a major hurricane along the Northeast coast is not as thorough.

http://wwwa.accuweather.com/promotion.asp?dir=aw&page=nehurr

[almaty 19]

wow..i glad i live in illinois..just a tornado to dodge every now and then..i was in maine, on the ocean eastport..when hurricane bob came around...it was petered out by then..just allot of wind and rain

[Mirorgate 0]

wow..i glad i live in illinois..just a tornado to dodge every now and then..i was in maine, on the ocean eastport..when hurricane bob came around...it was petered out by then..just allot of wind and rain

Well yeah, because it passed over DC, and you know how that place will suck the life outa anything!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Oh Well.... God help us in Boston...

Kezzie

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Not a big deal.

[almaty 19]

wow..i glad i live in illinois..just a tornado to dodge every now and then..i was in maine, on the ocean eastport..when hurricane bob came around...it was petered out by then..just allot of wind and rain

Well yeah, because it passed over DC, and you know how that place will suck the life outa anything!

so true

[Miranda&James 8]

Not a big deal.

Famous last words?

[almaty 19]

Not a big deal.

Famous last words?

also," tie me tight to the tree boys..i want to watch this one..."

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Not a big deal.

Famous last words?

Yup. I'm not worried.

[almaty 19]

Not a big deal.

Famous last words?

Yup. I'm not worried.

see you at the tree rich..