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2009 storm prediction
Gazing into its crystal ball, weather researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict we’ll see between 9 and 14 named storms in 2009: 4 to 7 of them will become hurricanes and 1 to 3 of those will be considered major with winds to 111 miles per hour. South Florida chances [...]
Written by Travel News on July 7th, 2009 with
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2009 storm prediction
Gazing into its crystal ball, weather researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predict we’ll see between 9 and 14 named storms in 2009: 4 to 7 of them will become hurricanes and 1 to 3 of those will be considered major with winds to 111 miles per hour. South Florida chances of being that host stand at 32 percent, compared to the 54 percent the entire U.S. coastline bears. NOAA researchers are saying the Caribbean has an “average” probability of a major hurricane strike.
In other words, it’s pretty much par for course this hurricane season. In fact, we’re into week six of the official calendar boundaries (June 1 to November 30) with nary a bad breeze, unless you count the unnamed fish storm that brewed up at the end of May out in the Atlantic Ocean — where cruise ships don’t sail and hotels can’t exist anyhow.
And that’s where the lasting damage takes place, anyhow. As of today, the list of resorts still trying to reopen after last year’s hurricane parade include Courtyard by Marriott and Brac Reef Beach Resort in the Caymans, along with Four Seasons in Nevis. At least these properties intend to reopen; the jury is still out on whether the Hyatt Regency in Grand Cayman will ever greet tourists again after its encounter with Ivan in 2004. Ditto Derelict Mullet Bay Beach Resort in St. Maartin, beat up way back in 1995.
Face it, storms are rough on the Caribbean.
Travel can weather the storm
But it would be a mistake to confuse destruction odds with lost tourism. Survey after survey reveals that travelers are more than willing to take those chances, provided the price is right and they buy trip insurance. A healthy 65 percent of participants told TripAdvisor they would pack their bags for regions in the hurricane target zone this fall. Cruising fares even better, as CruiseCritic’s call for answers revealed that not only had 70 percent of participants toasted their bon voyage during hurricane season, but that less than 7 percent regretted it. A sampling of the attitudes:
•“I am more worried about a hurricane at my departure port since if I can’t get to the port I can’t cruise. Once I am onboard I don’t care where I go!”
• “The outer bands of Rita hit Miami and delayed our departure by about four hours. Almost immediately the captain announced that we would not be able to dock in Nassau because of the storm, which was obviously disappointing. He stated we were going to out-run the bad weather by heading to the Northern Bahamas area, near Grand Bahama. After quite a rough night at sea, we woke to a beautiful, sunny morning. Everyone awaited the morning announcement by the captain and it was worth the wait! He announced that the port in Nassau had reopened, there was no damage, and best of all, we were 15 miles out and on our way to port! It was quite an emotional change from the night before.”
•“We were on Norwegian Sun while Wilma was out there. Our course and ports kept changing so much we dubbed it ‘The Mystery Cruise.’ It was still a great cruise and we even got to port in a city where few ships visit. It was great.”
• “We live in South Florida and felt the full force of Wilma — believe me, I’d rather be safely and comfortably away on a cruise ship than sitting in the dark for a week!”
Photography: Fevi in Cayman, Salvatore Freni
Written by Travel News on July 7th, 2009 with
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