Run, Forrest, Run From the Hurricanes! NOAA Predicts Stormy Weather Ahead!

Mama Always Said 'Life is Like a Box of Storms...'

Well hello there. Forrest Gump here. Government folks the ones at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – that's NOAA for short like Noah's Ark but with more science – they just came out with their weather report for next year's hurricane season. Seems like we're in for a doozy. They're saying there's a 60% chance it'll be more stormy than usual. That's like more than half which if you ask me is a lot. Mama always said 'Life is like a box of storms Forrest. You never know what kind of winds you're gonna get.'

13 to 19 Problems But a Storm Ain't One

They're expecting somewhere between 13 and 19 named storms. Now I don't know about you but that sounds like a whole lotta names. And not the good kind like Jenny or Bubba. These storms got names like… well I don't know yet but I bet they sound real mean. And of those they reckon six to ten could turn into full blown hurricanes. And three to five of those could be the really big ones the kind that make you wanna hide inside a shrimp boat and not come out till it's all over. Just like when Lieutenant Dan was yellin' at God during the storm only this time God might be a hurricane.

NOAA's Laura Grimm Says They're Ready!

This lady named Laura Grimm who seems real smart and important at NOAA she says they're ready. She even said that predicting weather is their top priority. That's good 'cause I reckon folks don't like surprises especially when those surprises involve flying debris and flooded homes. She didn't want to talk about budget cuts though. I guess some things are like a box of chocolates you don't wanna open 'cause they might be all coconut.

Run Forrest Run for Insurance!

Now here's where it gets kinda sad. These storms they cost a lot of money. Like a whole lotta shrimp boats worth of money. Apparently last year's storms caused over $37 billion in insured losses. That's enough money to buy a whole lotta ping pong paddles I tell you what. And the wildfires in California? Those cost even more! And all these tornado reports? Seems like the weather is just going bonkers. But hey at least they said the insurance companies did alright last year. Maybe they invested in Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. after all!

Growing Exposure: More People More Stuff More Problems

Aon blames it on folks moving to places where the weather likes to act up. That's what they call "growing exposure". More people living in harm's way with fancier houses and cars just means more stuff to get blown away. It's like Jenny always said "You can't run away from your problems Forrest." But maybe you can build a better house to withstand them?

Lessons from Katrina: Jefferson Parish Gets Ready

But here's a little good news. The folks down in Jefferson Parish Louisiana they learned a thing or two from Hurricane Katrina. They built better levees and flood walls. The president of Jefferson County Parish Cynthia Lee Sheng says they figured out how to work together better when disaster strikes. And that's a good thing. 'Cause like Mama always said 'Stupid is as stupid does' and being prepared ain't stupid.