State Meteorologist Says Hurricane Conditions Similar to 2004
TALLAHASSEE, FL (AP) -- Florida this year is facing the same climatic conditions that led in 2004-05 to a series of eight hurricanes, which hit or affected the state, a weather expert told state officials Thursday.
State Meteorologist Ben Nelson outlined that scenario for Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and other members of Gov. Charlie Crist's administration during a briefing on hurricane preparedness for the current season, which began last week.
"We feel very confident that here in Tallahassee at the Capitol we're ready, that our partners back in the counties are ready, and now we just have to make sure the citizens of Florida are ready, too," Kottkamp said.
Warm El Nino currents in the Pacific Ocean that kept last season quiet are not present this year, but Atlantic and Caribbean waters are warmer and that could mean more and stronger storms, Nelson told officials attending the briefing.
The biggest unknown, though, is where steering currents will form off the East Coast, he said. The closer they are to the coast, the worse for Florida.
Nelson said the greatest fear is Miami's vulnerability. Damages could top $150 billion from a direct hit, he said. That's nearly twice as much as the $80 billion estimate for Hurricane Katrina, the nation's most costly storm, according to National Hurricane Center figures.
Officials also discussed similarities in potential vulnerability between New Orleans, which was inundated by Katrina two years ago, and the Tampa Bay area.
"The major difference is our level of response," Kottkamp said. "We're going to respond very quickly and we're going to make sure that everything that can be done from the state down to the counties will be done."
Crist did not attend the briefing. Instead, he was in Miami promoting the state's hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday that continues through Tuesday. It permits people to buy various hurricane supplies, including flashlights, portable radios, fuel containers, batteries, coolers and storm shutters, tax-free.
The governor joined Evelia and Lorenzo Crispo as they bought items for their disaster supply kit at a Home Depot store
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