What City Is Most Overdue For A Hurricane?
Tornadoes have captured much of the nation's attention this year, but hurricane season is not too far away, so Americans should be prepared for the possibility of devastating storms, even if you think there's no way one will come to your town.
A new list says Honolulu, Hawaii is the most overdue city for a hurricane. The capital city has avoided hurricanes for the most part, but if one should hit, it could cause immense damage.
Hurricane expert Dr. Rich Knabb, who compiled the list, said flooding would be disastrous, while adding, "The winds alone would be bad enough, with most homes not built to withstand hurricane-force winds, many of them perilously perched on mountain slopes, and numerous high-rises that would lose windows especially on upper floors."
San Diego was the second-most overdue city. California is more known for earthquakes than hurricanes and for good reason. You'd have to jump in your DeLorean to catch a glimpse of the last hurricane to touch down on the state's coast, way back in 1858. The water off the Pacific Ocean is generally cool enough to prevent a hurricane, but it can certainly happen again if all the stars properly align.
Tampa, Florida rounded out the list. Knabb says the city got lucky by avoiding serious damage in recent storms in recent years, but they should've served as "wake-up calls."
Regardless of whether a hurricane is likely to strike your region, you may want to think about how to protect yourself, since 2011 is expected to be a busy hurricane season.