Hurricane Center recommends 'go to Aruba'
Friday, July 9, 2004
MIAMI, USA: The National Hurricane Center
predicts six to eight hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin during the season that
runs from now through October -- a "likely continuation of above-normal
activity'' that began in 1995. Of course, one hurricane is enough to threaten
your vacation and your life. Some advice: If
you're visiting a Caribbean island between mid-August and late October, plan
ahead, says Frank Lepore of the Hurricane Center. When booking, ask what
provisions are made for guests in the event of a hurricane. "Some will allow
you to ride out the storm; others will toss you out like you were Typhoon
Mary,'' says Lepore.
Keep abreast of weather news. The center
issues five-day tropical storm forecasts that are updated every six hours if
something is brewing at
www.nhc.noaa.gov. Your worst odds are in September, when 36.3
percent of Atlantic hurricanes occur. August is second (29 percent), October
third (18 percent).
Hurricanes are unlikely near the equator, so
your safest geographical bets are Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. The Turks and
Caicos also brag that they've long been hurricane-free.
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