2021 Hurricane Preparation Guide

Page 7 T he record-breaking hur- ricane season of 2020 has brought about many changes to the naming system for tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. During that amazing season we dove deep into the Greek alphabet after going through the list of the 21 names from the English alphabet. It's only the second time that has ever been done in the history of naming storms. So, in response to this incredible past season, the World Meteorological Organization has tossed out the Greek alphabet and has come up with a supplemental list of 21 names should we exhaust the primary list. Doing the weather from home due to Covid-19 was challenging, especially when it came to tracking hurricanes. We were lucky that most of them stayed far enough away from the Suncoast that we did not have to broadcast from the studio. The 28th storm did however force the First Alert Weather team back to the ABC 7 studio to cover this late-season storm. Its name was Eta. Eta was a typical late sea- son storm developing in the Caribbean and tracking into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The last two months of the season are always concerning to me because that is when we have the greatest threat to be impacted by a tropical cyclone. That is not to say that we do not get hit during the other months, but if a storm develops in the Caribbean in October and November, we typically have to look out here due to the changing steering currents during that time of year which usually impact somewhere along the west coast of Florida. Do I think we will see anoth- er season like last year? The answer is no. But it does look like we will have an above average season due to the warmer-than-average north central Atlantic sea surface temperatures and a neutral El Nino forecast. When El Nino is present, which is the unusual warming of the eastern Pacific off the coast of Peru, it creates strong cross winds which hurricanes don't like. Regardless of how many storms develop in 2021, remember it only takes one hitting here to make it an ac- tive season. It is important that you read through this guide with your family and friends to go over these lifesaving tips to protect you, your family and pets from these devastating storms. You may have heard that our coast is not as likely to be impacted from hurricanes. This is true, but it has hap- pened in the past and it will happen again in the future. Will it be this year? No one can say with any accuracy whether we are going to be targeted by one of the 17 projected storms this year. But it is important that you prepare before each season for a possible strike. I've been covering these storms for residents of Southwest Florida and ABC 7 for 36 years now and most of us have no reference point as to how damaging these storms can be, unless you lived near Charlotte Harbor in 2004. Hurricane Charley slammed into Charlotte Harbor with winds of 150 mph. It was a tightly compact storm with those winds confined to an 8-mile radius. It destroyed almost everything in its path. It took more than a year for things to get back to some- what normal after that storm. The main lesson from Charley and Irma, which hit in 2017, is that you need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store for us. That means make sure your insurance is up to date, have the necessary supplies to be on your own for at least three days. Most importantly evacuate when asked to do so and know where you are going to go. Shelters are provided by the government, but they should be your last resort. Stay safe and be sure to keep up to date with the latest from ABC 7, the First Alert Weather Team. adno=3791045-1 HURRICANE SAVINGS SPECIAL! Expires 12/31/21 Hours: Mon.–Fri. 8AM–5PM • Closed Sat. & Sun. 236 South Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 (941) 575-8868 • GreggsAuto.net • Lube, Oil & Filter Service • Inspect All Belts & Hoses • Set Tire Air Pressures • Rotate All 4 Tires • Inspect Brakes • Inspect Condition of Battery Here's What You Get... Includes a Digital Vehicle Inspection! HURRICANE SAVINGS SPECIAL! SAVE SAVE $47.90! * $47.90! * *Most vehicles. No oil restrictions on type, weight, or capacity including all synthetics. Tax and shop supplies extra. Cannot be combined with any other promotions or specials. No RV's or full ton diesels. *Must present this ad at the time of service. Busy hurricane season brings changes ... like the wind BOB HARRIGAN ABC7 Chief Meteorologist

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