2014 Hurricane Season Preparedness

Hurricane season has begun and our customers are in full preparation mode. Many of the experts and talking heads are suggesting varying degrees of chaos left in the wake of expected hurricanes in 2014. As an inexact science we must take these predictions in stride; however, they've given us reason to believe there is no time like before the storm to begin preparing for power failure caused by water damage and wind damage from a hurricane or other storm event.

The general consensus is that tropical storm developments in 2014 may be provoked by what we have affectionately come to know as El Niño in summer or early fall. The east coast as well as the eastern and central Gulf Of Mexico will be hit the hardest by these tropical storms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) suggests there will be up to thirteen tropical storms within the 2014 hurricane season, with up to 6 becoming full-fledged hurricanes. Of those 6, NOAA suggests that up to 2 will become category 3 “major storms”. Some are suggesting an average storm season.

As we saw in 1992 with category 5 Hurricane Andrew and in 2012 with Hurricane Sandy, modest or average storm season predictions in those years were put to shame as we took in the carnage left in the wake of the ill-projected and poorly prepared for catastrophic hurricanes. Ironically, Hurricane Sandy teetered between a category 1 and 2 in its infancy, reached category 3 status over Cuba, and eventually returned back to category 1. By the time it impacted the east coast it had weakened to a post-tropical cyclone with hurricane-force winds. We saw with Hurricane Sandy what storms that fall short of official category 3 or category 5 status are capable of doing, with estimates of damage over 24 states approximated at $68 billion and the loss of lives at 148. Modest projections of 1992 and 2012 certainly left their audiences ill-prepared and powerless following decimation of each storm.

Following the predictions of many, we at Absolute Generators fall back to the words of NOAA, when they wisely suggest that preparations for the unexpected are advised because, “It only takes one destructive storm”. We do not encourage panic, but we find ourselves visited daily by folks wisely preparing in advance of the true reality of power loss. Unfortunately a great percentage of our customers have learned the hard way. Many are reacting amidst or following a painfully uncomfortable and expensive power-loss hoping never to have that happen again.

Are you ready for the 2014 Hurricane Season? See what Absolute Generators can do to help you prepare for your next power failure. Why don’t we start with our Generator Wattage Calculator to see what appliances you will need to run in case of power failure? You can also start shopping here.