Hurricane season officially began on June 1, however the strongest and most persistent hurricanes are due to arrive in late August, early September. This timely briefing presents the latest research on questions about tropical storms by some of the country's leading experts. What are the most dangerous aspects of tropical storms? Is the U.S. due for another Hurricane Andrew? With construction booming along the eastern seaboard, will damage from the next Category 4 hurricane exceed the Andrew record amount of $32 billion? What does the seasonal and long-term forecast hold for the large hurricane-prone region along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts?

Experts at this briefing will answer these questions as well as present timely information that is critical for policymakers on the following:

-- the impacts of hurricanes including how they affect the economy and specific sectors of the economy, such as insurance and zoning and building codes;

-- the devastation the June, 2001 tropical storm (Allison) caused in the Houston area when it dropped more than 14 inches of rain in 9 hours. Tropical Storm Allison didn’t even make hurricane status, and it has proven to be a multi-billion-dollar flood, a very sobering example of what could happen if a “moderate” Category 3 hurricane struck an urban area;

-- the historical perspective of hurricanes, and their cycles of activity. Historically, hurricane activity runs in cycles, with the 1970s and 80s being relatively calm. There has not been a Category 5 (“catastrophic”) hurricane since 1969. Are we heading into a new cycle of intense activity?

Sponsors

• The Congressional Natural Hazards Caucus
• American Meteorological Society (AMS)
• University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)

Subtopics

Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting Of Tropical Cyclones
(Mark DeMaria )

Seasonal Hurricane Forecast for 2001
(Christopher Landsea)

Hurricanes: Looking at the Past, Forecasting the Future
(William Gray)

Tropical Storm Allison: The Five Billion Dollar Flood
(Baxter Vieux )