Examiner.com

AccuWeather.com a private company (not to be confused with the forecast generated by Colorado State University) has issued its early hurricane season forecast calling for 2010 to be more active than 2009 and the potential for an “extreme season” i.e. an above normal threat along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.  Of note, the Carribbean, The Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast are popular destinations for the summer travel season. Below is a note to travelers suggesting "travel insurance" if traveling to these areas.

he forecast predicts a season similar to 2008 when there were 16 named storms, eight of which were hurricanes. The forecast projects 16 to 18 storms (hurricanes and tropical storms), 15 of which are expected to occur in the western Atlantic and in the Gulf of Mexico, potentially posing a threat to U.S. coastlines.

Seven hurricanes are forecast by AccuWeather, five of them major (Category III or stronger). Two or three major hurricanes are projected to make landfall, with seven total storms making landfall.

The lead forecaster for AccuWeather.com believes the upcoming season will be similar to 1964, 1995 and 1998, all which resulted in devastating storms which made landfall.

The National Weather Service is scheduled to issue its hurricane forecast in May. The U.S. hurricane season officially begins June 1 and continues through November. The season and patterns of storms can be correlated with warm ocean and sea temperatures.

The forecast is mostly watched by resorts in the Caribbean, states bordering the Atlantic and those along the Gulf of Mexico. An active hurricane season could be devastating to the hospitality industry in the region(s) coming off of two years of declining visitation and revenues. In addition, Haiti, a Caribbean nation will not be prepared to respond and provide shelter if a hurricane were to make landfall on the already quake ravaged devastated island.

Further north while the mid-Atlantic and northeastern coastal states have been spared a direct hurricane, it is not unheard of. Back in 1938, a devastating hurricane (The Long Island Express) made landfall on September 21st northeast of New York City. The hurricane struck central Long Island with sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h), devastating the island. In 1991, Hurricane Bob caused damage on Long Island and the resort communities of The Hampton and Fire Island.

While building codes in the areas have been strengthened, during the first decade of 2000, there was a building boom of vacation homes from the Mid-Atlantic to New England along the coastline. Many smaller beach homes, easily rebuildable if damaged by a hurricane have been replaced with McMansions and multi-family buildings. If Category III hurricane made landfall in these areas, the damage estimates could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition the the physical destruction, the hospitality and tourism economy could be devestated as well.

In addition, after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region, many insurers increased hurricane insurance premiums to astronomical levels pricing many vacation homeowners out of their policies. 
 

A footnote: someone commented on who a hurricane forecast relates to travel. In addition to the econimic impact on the industry, hurricanes can disrupt travel plans from flights and lodging to cruise ships.  I wrote this article with the intention of those traveling during the hurricane season to be aware. In addition, there are many options concerning travel insurance which usually runs 4%-8% and may provide a full refund due to hirricanes and other unforseen circumstances.