Wet Conditions May Lead to Excess Hurricane Damage

Wet Conditions May Lead to Excess Hurricane Damage

State College, Pa. -- 11 August 2009 -- AccuWeather.com reports this summer's unusually cooler and rainy conditions in the Northeast leads to the potential for excess hurricane damage, according to AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist Joe Bastardi.

Bastardi predicts that the hurricane season will begin to pick up in the next few weeks, and the number of storms in this time frame will be greater or equal to the number of storms in the season up to this point. Bastardi also notes that the storms will equally impact the Northeast and Gulf Coast regions.

The cooler than average temperatures and precipitation this summer in the Northeast mimic the patterns of 1954, 1960, 1976 and 1985, Bastardi said

What has this unusual weather meant for the Northeast, and New England in particular? According to AccuWeather.com meteorologist Jesse Ferrell, this July's ranked monthly soil moisture is higher than 95% of the recorded values in the last 30 years for most of New England. The soil in many New England regions is wetter by at least 2- 4 inches of precipitation and is comparable to the July's of 2000 and 2006.

While this has been a great season for growing with an above-average level of moisture in the ground, trees are becoming waterlogged and less sturdy as a result of the soft soil in many areas. Bastardi said the trees, which have adapted to the Northeasterly wind flow, are predisposed to leaning, creating even more potential for strong wind gusts to cause uprooting.

The potential for strong winds due to the impending hurricane season can cause even more damage to the trees, which then carries over to the homes and vehicles that may lie in their falling path.

In the Northeast, the Delaware River Basin is already at higher water levels in comparison to this time last year. Looming hurricanes bringing up to 4-8 inches of extra rainfall to the region may heed big flooding, according to Bastardi. Even with less rain than is predicted, flooding will still be an issue with the already increased precipitation levels this summer.

In relation to Bastardi's precipitation predictions for the upcoming snowy winter, his forecast for this year's hurricane season will also include an increased chance for more hurricanes to reach landfall.

ENDS

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