US Predicts 7 Major Atlantic Hurricanes
The Atlantic hurricane season could be the busiest since 2005, when Katrina and Rita caused massive destruction along the same part of the Gulf Coast now struggling with the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, government scientists said Thursday.
The 2010 season may spawn as many as 23 named tropical storms, including up to seven major hurricanes, a number not likely to be affected by the spill, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted.
Eight to 14 storms would strengthen into hurricanes, with top winds of 74 mph or higher, the agency said. Three to seven of those could become major storms that reach Category 3 or higher - meaning they bring sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
"This season could be one of the more active on record," NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco said in a news release. "The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall. In short, we urge everyone to be prepared."
The 2010 government forecast is based on the weakening of El Nino. The Pacific Ocean phenomenon created strong wind shear that helped suppress storm development in the Atlantic last season. Record warm water temperatures also will feed storms crossing the Atlantic this year.
Three hurricanes developed out of nine tropical storms in 2009. None of the hurricanes came ashore in the United States. Hurricane Ida hit Nicaragua as a Category 1 storm in November.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist urged coastal residents to remember the destruction left in the wake of hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.
"Don't take anything for granted," Crist said at the annual Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference in Fort Lauderdale. "We don't need to suffer from hurricane amnesia."
National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read said Wednesday that his biggest concern for the season is a storm striking Haiti, where hundreds of thousands of people have been living in makeshift camps since the Jan. 12 earthquake. Heavy rains can trigger serious flooding and mudslides in the mountainous Caribbean country, but no evacuation plans exist for displaced communities.
Tropical storms are named when their sustained winds reach 39 mph. The first named storm of the 2010 season will be Alex.
In April, Colorado State University researchers predicted 15 named storms would form this season, with four developing into major hurricanes.
The Atlantic hurricane season begins Tuesday and runs through Nov. 30. –Sun News
Atlantic Beach Ready For Bikefest
Those who attend this year's Atlantic Beach Bikefest can expect bike builders, stunt shows, food vendors, music, concerts and the unveiling of newly designed bikes in the town during the Memorial Day weekend event, according to town officials.
There is also a planned dedication to the Carolina Knight Riders - a motorcycle club instrumental in the birth of the motorcycle rally in Atlantic Beach.
This year's rally organizers - town staff, police and a few volunteers - are expecting crowd numbers to be similar to what the area has seen in the last few years.
"We're not expecting anything significant, or more or less than in the past," said Town Manager William Booker.
Initial counts showed that at least 175,000 people attended last year's Bikefest - which generated $40,000 for the town - where in past years the festival has brought up to 400,000 participants.
The sluggish economy and Myrtle Beach's new laws aimed at curbing the May motorcycle rallies - Bikefest and The Cruisin' the Coast spring rally - have been cited as reasons for the smaller crowds.
In Myrtle Beach during Memorial Day weekend, there will be a parade on Ocean Boulevard, concerts at the old Pavilion site and military appreciation days, city officials say.
"We're not expecting a bike rally in Myrtle Beach," said Myrtle Beach city spokesman Mark Kruea. "Visitors on motorcycles are perfectly welcome to come. We will be enforcing noise and helmet ordinances, but people should not expect a bike rally in Myrtle Beach."
North Myrtle Beach, however, which surrounds Atlantic Beach, is preparing for Bikefest.
Atlantic Beach has also enacted new laws this year related to the rallies.
Last month, the Atlantic Beach Town Council approved changes to the town's ordinance to address issues concerning vendors, alcoholic beverages, traffic plans and the use of golf carts during Bikefest.
Town officials said the ordinance needed to be revised because certain activities that take place during the annual motorcycle festival are in conflict with the town's current ordinance.
The new ordinance allows certain exceptions for Bikefest so it does not violate the town's ordinance, town officials have said.
Bikefest rolls into town [this] weekend. –Sun News
The Atlantic hurricane season could be the busiest since 2005, when Katrina and Rita caused massive destruction along the same part of the Gulf Coast now struggling with the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, government scientists said Thursday.
The 2010 season may spawn as many as 23 named tropical storms, including up to seven major hurricanes, a number not likely to be affected by the spill, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted.
Eight to 14 storms would strengthen into hurricanes, with top winds of 74 mph or higher, the agency said. Three to seven of those could become major storms that reach Category 3 or higher - meaning they bring sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
"This season could be one of the more active on record," NOAA administrator Jane Lubchenco said in a news release. "The greater likelihood of storms brings an increased risk of a landfall. In short, we urge everyone to be prepared."
The 2010 government forecast is based on the weakening of El Nino. The Pacific Ocean phenomenon created strong wind shear that helped suppress storm development in the Atlantic last season. Record warm water temperatures also will feed storms crossing the Atlantic this year.
Three hurricanes developed out of nine tropical storms in 2009. None of the hurricanes came ashore in the United States. Hurricane Ida hit Nicaragua as a Category 1 storm in November.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist urged coastal residents to remember the destruction left in the wake of hurricanes in 2004 and 2005.
"Don't take anything for granted," Crist said at the annual Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference in Fort Lauderdale. "We don't need to suffer from hurricane amnesia."
National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read said Wednesday that his biggest concern for the season is a storm striking Haiti, where hundreds of thousands of people have been living in makeshift camps since the Jan. 12 earthquake. Heavy rains can trigger serious flooding and mudslides in the mountainous Caribbean country, but no evacuation plans exist for displaced communities.
Tropical storms are named when their sustained winds reach 39 mph. The first named storm of the 2010 season will be Alex.
In April, Colorado State University researchers predicted 15 named storms would form this season, with four developing into major hurricanes.
The Atlantic hurricane season begins Tuesday and runs through Nov. 30. –Sun News
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Atlantic Beach Ready For Bikefest
Those who attend this year's Atlantic Beach Bikefest can expect bike builders, stunt shows, food vendors, music, concerts and the unveiling of newly designed bikes in the town during the Memorial Day weekend event, according to town officials.
There is also a planned dedication to the Carolina Knight Riders - a motorcycle club instrumental in the birth of the motorcycle rally in Atlantic Beach.
This year's rally organizers - town staff, police and a few volunteers - are expecting crowd numbers to be similar to what the area has seen in the last few years.
"We're not expecting anything significant, or more or less than in the past," said Town Manager William Booker.
Initial counts showed that at least 175,000 people attended last year's Bikefest - which generated $40,000 for the town - where in past years the festival has brought up to 400,000 participants.
The sluggish economy and Myrtle Beach's new laws aimed at curbing the May motorcycle rallies - Bikefest and The Cruisin' the Coast spring rally - have been cited as reasons for the smaller crowds.
In Myrtle Beach during Memorial Day weekend, there will be a parade on Ocean Boulevard, concerts at the old Pavilion site and military appreciation days, city officials say.
"We're not expecting a bike rally in Myrtle Beach," said Myrtle Beach city spokesman Mark Kruea. "Visitors on motorcycles are perfectly welcome to come. We will be enforcing noise and helmet ordinances, but people should not expect a bike rally in Myrtle Beach."
North Myrtle Beach, however, which surrounds Atlantic Beach, is preparing for Bikefest.
Atlantic Beach has also enacted new laws this year related to the rallies.
Last month, the Atlantic Beach Town Council approved changes to the town's ordinance to address issues concerning vendors, alcoholic beverages, traffic plans and the use of golf carts during Bikefest.
Town officials said the ordinance needed to be revised because certain activities that take place during the annual motorcycle festival are in conflict with the town's current ordinance.
The new ordinance allows certain exceptions for Bikefest so it does not violate the town's ordinance, town officials have said.
Bikefest rolls into town [this] weekend. –Sun News
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