The most experienced forecasters are predicting that the southeastern portion of the United States is going to undergo a more severe hurricane season than would ordinarily occur. Forecasters believe that there will be 18 tropical storms this year and that nine will become hurricanes, and these numbers are notable. Since we started recording tropical storms, the United States has experienced about 12 each year. Of these 12, an average of seven become hurricanes.
The Difference between Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
The difference between tropical storms and hurricanes is the speed of the wind. A tropical storm’s is recorded when winds reach a speed of 39 miles per hour, but a tropical storm is called a “hurricane” when the winds reach 74 miles per hour. Americans in hurricane-prone areas can expect this year’s hurricane season to begin on July 1 and end on November 30.
The Reason for the Increased Number of Hurricanes
Experts believe that certain factors will work together this year to cause a more severe hurricane season. For example, they note that the Atlantic Ocean is warmer than usual. They also state that it is not likely that there will be an El Nino event this coming summer and fall. El Nino events that occur in the Pacific Ocean have the effect of increasing the wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean. High wind shear conditions tend to prevent hurricanes from forming.
The Erroneous Predictions of 2012
Although the prediction is for nine hurricanes to form this season with four being classified as major hurricanes, homeowners must be prepared for the possibility that the forecasters are wrong. A case in point is what happened last year. For 2012, forecasters predicted that only 10 tropical storms would be severe enough to be named and that four of these storms would graduate to hurricane status. The reality was very different.
During the hurricane season in 2012, experts recorded a total of 19 tropical storms with 10 becoming hurricanes. Hurricane Sandy was just one of these hurricanes, and it resulted in property damage that is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. In addition, dozens of people lost their lives as a result of this storm.
One of the reasons that forecasters predicted the wrong number of hurricanes for 2012 was the fact that they were expecting an El Nino event for that year. Because an El Nino event did not transpire, the result was an unexpectedly high number of hurricanes.
What To Do After You Have Experienced A Destructive Hurricane
You may have experienced property damage due to hurricanes or the hail storms that result from hurricanes or violent weather, but your insurance company is refusing to pay to repair the damage. Hail is extremely destructive and can result in damage to the roof of your house, your windows or even your vehicles. If your insurance company is actively seeking ways to delay or deny your claim, the company is operating in bad faith, and this is illegal. You will need to hire a qualified extreme weather, hailstorms attorney who can fight for your right to receive just compensation in the event that you suffer hail damage or any type of catastrophic weather destruction.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for insurance companies to delay or refuse to pay claims even after significant damages have occurred. One example is the devastation created by Hurricane Sandy. Many victims of Hurricane Sandy who did not hire a property damage lawyer are finding that their insurance companies are taking advantage of them by delaying, denying or offering settlements for smaller amounts than they are entitled to receive.
Do not allow what is happening to the victims of Hurricane Sandy to happen to you. Hire a property damage lawyer who will force your insurance company to act in good faith and pay your legitimate claims.
