Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Hurricane season to be one for the record books
By Ben Crane
The Gamecock (U. South Carolina)
06/30/2006

(U-WIRE) COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Hurricane Center is predicting 2006 to be a "very active hurricane season."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting up to sixteen named storms, eight to ten being hurricanes, and four to six being 'major' hurricanes.

Last year there were 15 hurricanes, seven of which were major, and four of those hit the United States.

Fortunately, the NOAA is not forecasting another season like 2005, but they are informing the public that the chances of hurricanes hitting the United States are high.

Dr. Venkat Lakshmi, a professor of hydrological sciences in the University of South Carolina's geology department said, "The path of the hurricanes depends on the state of the atmosphere at that particular time when the hurricane passes by...their path can change by hundreds of miles due to disturbances in the atmosphere and that could mean making landfall in Florida versus in Delaware."

Given the erratic courses of these hurricanes, students should be prepared to take precautions in the event of a serious cyclone.

"Normally, the Hurricane Center in Miami has good forecasts and USC administration will monitor these," explained Lakshmi.

"In case of a direct hit, normal precautions like staying indoors, on lower floors or basements, securing all loose objects and not being outside would be good," Lakshmi said.

Being 100 miles off the coast of South Carolina might provide confidence that nothing serious could happen, but the fact that a typical hurricane is 300 miles wide may make students re-think their susceptibility.

The NHC's Deputy Secretary of Commerce David Sampson announced on their website, "The impact from these storms extends well beyond coastal areas so it is vital that residents in hurricane prone areas get ready in advance of the hurricane season."

Flash flooding and high winds can be detrimental to Columbia, especially in lower areas like Five Points.

Even areas on campus are subject to flooding.

Matt Walsh, a fourth year Sports Management student, works at the Blatt

Physical Education Center and has witnessed the flash flooding that can occur on our campus. "After a continuous downpour, the Blatt parking lot can flood."

In a recent flood case, he described the water as being "above cars' tires and up to their windshields."

Walsh said the parking lot actually has to be closed for a day or more after flooding.

Walsh has seen more than just flooding that can occur. Living in the Dominican Republic in 1998, he experienced first-hand the destruction caused by Hurricane Georges.

"We came outside and could not see the streets. They were covered in water, trash, trees and lots of other debris." Walsh said.

It was weeks before they got running water again and even longer before power and other utilities were available.

"It was not a very fun experience."

With a bustling season ahead, students should prepare to check the weather forecasts.

More information on hurricanes and the upcoming season can be found at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.

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