Hurricane Logbook - Interesting Facts and Climatology- May/June 2001
Top hurricane experts from NOAA on the 21st, said the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season likely will have normal levels of activity, bringing fewer storms than the past three years. However, officials advised residents in Atlantic and Gulf Coast states to be prepared for storms, high winds and flooding throughout the season, which began on June 1st. A normal Atlantic hurricane season typically brings eight to 11 tropical storms, of which five to seven reach hurricane strength, with two to three classified as major. A major hurricane packs sustained winds greater than 110 mph and is classified at Category 3, or above, on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Seasons with normal hurricane activity average one to two land-falling hurricanes in the United States, and one in the Caribbean. "Although we expect an average level of activity this season, that is no cause to become complacent. With the possibility of five to seven hurricanes, residents in hurricane prone areas can't afford to let their guard down," said Scott Gudes, NOAA's acting administrator. "Just one storm can dramatically change your life." See the NOAA 2001 Atlantic and Carribbean Hurricane forecast for complete details.
History teaches that hurricane disasters have occurred in the past and will again in the future. A lack of hurricane education and planning are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. This week, of May 21st to May 25th, was Hurricane Awareness Week. The goal of Hurricane Awareness Week is to educate the public about the hazards of hurricanes and provide them with knowledge which can be used to take action.
Tropical Storm Allison produced rainfall amounts of over 30 inches in
some portions of Louisiana and southeast Texas. Occasionally, tropical systems moving
inland from the Gulf of Mexico stall or move very slowly along the upper Texas Gulf coast,
resulting in flooding rains. Tropical Storm Allison was no exception with Greens Bayou in
Harris County, TX receiving 35.67 inches of rain in five days as of June 9th, and Houston
Heights in Harris County reporting 19.58 inches in a 24-hour period. See the
June 2001
Climate Watch Report for more information.
Several other 2001 Tropical Storms and Hurricanes:
TS Barry
Hurricane Iris
Hurricane Michelle
See the NOAA/NHC Monthly Hurricane Summary Reports for 2001 for more information.
Summaries, advisories, press reports and other information are available at the NOAA/NHC Tropical Prediction Center web site.
U.S. Navy On-Line Interactive Global Tropical Cyvlone Climatic Atlas
NOAA/Operational Significant Event Imagery (OSEI) WWW Site
Hurricane Climatology and Prior Years' Hurricanes
Satellite Gallery Classroom