Miami -- North America faces the prospect of another active hurricane season this year, leaving meeting planners with a higher possibility that storms may force the cancellation of events booked in Florida and other destinations along the U.S. southern and eastern coasts.
The federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced that "a very active hurricane season is looming" throughout the north Atlantic region. NOAA predicted eight to 10 hurricanes, of which four to six could become major hurricanes of category 3 strength or higher.
That's above the average of six hurricanes, including two major hurricanes, during a normal season but below last year's record season of 15 hurricanes, seven of which were considered major.
"Although NOAA is not forecasting a repeat of last year's season, the potential for hurricanes striking the U.S. is high," said NOAA administrator retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher.
Four major hurricanes hit the United States last year in one of the most destructive seasons on record. Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed much of New Orleans and Biloxi, Miss., caused an estimated $80 billion in damages and killed nearly 1,600 people. Hurricane Wilma devastated Cancun and other resorts along Mexico's Gulf Coast.