Hurricanes, Pandemics And Environmental Changes - So Long, 2020

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

Equal parts beautiful and destructive.

For better or for worse, most of us seem to agree that 2020 was a year for the history books. Not only did we experience a global pandemic bringing fear and uncertainty into everyone’s lives, 2020 also brought us the most active storm season in recorded history. The lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, Gerry Bell, boldly claimed that we could see up to 25 named storms this season. To put that number in perspective, the 1981-2010 historical averages  were less than half of that. By the end of the Hurricane season, we would see an overwhelming 30 named storms. 

Of these devastating forces of nature, 12 made landfall in the U.S. With the increased number of storms, the National Hurricane Center had to dive deeper into the Greek alphabet for names than ever before.

Of the 30 named storms we saw:

• 13 hurricanes (6 major)
• 15 tropical storms
• 2 subtropical storms

Why was the weather this year so extreme? This year had abnormally warm waters because of El Niño. Climate conditions and record high ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico combined to create an environment suitable for storms to form, which led to the increased number of reported storms. 

In the U.S., 6 of the 12 storms to hit were hurricanes which resulted in severe flooding and water damage, leaving many homes and businesses devastated. Overall storm damage, according to the CDP, is expected to exceed $41 billion.

From small leaks to the devastating effects of storms, the experts at SERVPRO recommend taking immediate action. Through acting fast you will not only minimize immediate damages to your home or business, but you will also help minimize chances of experiencing secondary damage long after the initial cause of damage has passed. Give SERVPRO of Pitt/Greene counties a call to take care of your water damage needs, rain or shine, 24/7/365 at: (252)-329-7205.