Don't Get Complacent!

I continually write and speak about the dangers of complacency. More people have died because they refused to recognize the dangers around them than can be counted. All year, the weather prognosticators have been calling for a "less than normal" hurricane season, mostly because of an expected El Nino event. Well, I read the following editorial today: Forecasters were right about an El Nino this year. The weather phenomenon warms the eastern Pacific Ocean and generates strong wind shear that cuts the top off thunderstorms and stops them from developing. The odds of a major hurricane making U.S. landfall are 27 percent in an El Nino year, compared to 45 percent in a neutral year, according to Colorado Sate University climatologist Phil Klotzbach. It seems to be doing it's job, so far this year. In the meantime, Gulf Coast residents shouldn't count on El Nino or the initial forecast for a less-than-average season to protect them. Sound familiar? Wake up. Smell the Starbucks. Get a plan. Be Prepared!