Hurricane Season Begins…

Date August 18, 2007 | 11:50 PM

Right, so I know you’re thinking, “Joe, hurricane season started June 1st.” You’re not wrong. But along the Gulf Coast, things don’t get going until August. Case in point: three of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the US (and Gulf Coast in particular)- Camille in 1969, Andrew in 1992, and Katrina in 2005- were all August storms. The same goes for Frederic, which hammered Mobile, Alabama in 1979 (I think this one is the storm they show in Forrest Gump, actually). All four made landfall between Morgan City, Louisiana and Pensacola, Florida (Andrew’s most powerful landfall was in South Florida, but it did enter the gulf and make a second landfall in Morgan City, Louisiana).

September isn’t much better, with Ivan (Gulf Shores, Alabama), Opal (Pensacola, Florida), and Rita (La./Tx. border) all hitting the Coast. Likewise, all three of those were Category 4 at some point. Shoot, just take a look at this list and notice the ones I’ve mentioned.

So I think it’s appropriate that I now point you toward this picture, which shows you our first real threat of the season.


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3 Responses to “Hurricane Season Begins…”

  1. Kevin Bussey said:

    I feel your pain.

  2. Amy said:

    Yeah, I got my first. “Is your car full of gas? Do you have a bag packed?” Call from my mom yesterday. Now it’s hurricane time.

  3. Joe Kennedy said:

    Kevin: Thanks, Billy.

    Amy: Yeah, I’m here at home and even though it looks like Dean’s got a Mexican vacation or five to ruin, I’m still leaving my bike here. I was going to bring it back to NOLA, but if we have to leave soon, I’d rather keep it here.