South Carolina braces for potentially big hurricane season
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Forecasters at Colorado State University predict this year’s Atlantic hurricane season to be active with 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes.
That’s something to consider during National Hurricane Preparedness Week. As part of the preparation, South Carolina on Thursday unveiled hurricane evacuation routes and hosted the 2024 NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour.
News 12 Meteorologist Mikel Hannah-Harding was there.
During the Hurricane Hunters tour, they talked with schools, local government and statewide government about the importance of preparing for the hurricane season.
The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the Hurricane Hunters, is a component of the 403rd Wing Located at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.
MORE | Storm topples trees, power lines as it moves through CSRA
The CSRA saw a little bit of damage as a thunderstorm moved through the region Thursday morning, but we're not out of the woods yet.
On Thursday, they stopped at Charleston International Airport. This is their fourth stop on a weeklong “Hurricane Awareness” tour up and down the eastern seaboard.
We had the opportunity to walk through both their P3 and C-130 aircraft and learn about the inner workings of the aircraft, along with the weather instruments and tools on board.
We spoke with Dr. Rick Knabb from the Weather Channel about his thoughts on an active season this year.
“All the ingredients are there for a busy year, but in many ways, it doesn’t matter how busy. It matters how bad. And one storm coming to Augusta makes it a bad year for you,” said Knabb.
The probability of a landfalling major hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or more, is well above average, experts said.
The climatic phenomenon known as El Nino is expected to transition to a La Nina this fall, which will increase tropical development by lowering vertical wind shear, forecasters said. A tropical Atlantic that’s experiencing record warmth is also expected to help fuel development of tropical systems.
Director of the National Hurricane Center, Michael Brennan, also says there’s a common misconception about hurricanes.
“It doesn’t take a major hurricane for there to be major impacts. Especially in inland areas. Freshwater flooding from rainfall is such a big hazard and it has nothing to do with how strong a storm is from the wind perspective,” said Brennan.
Last hurricane season was very active, with 20 named storms, the fourth most since 1950, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric istration said. Seven storms became hurricanes, and three became major hurricanes.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.
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