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Ready or Not: 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season Arrives

AccuWeather.com: 'We're In for a Rough Year'

AccuWeather.com Chief Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi and his team expect six or seven storms to strike the U.S. coast during the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The team predicts that the majority of landfalls will be made along the Gulf Coast, with 13 or 14 total storms in the Atlantic Basin and three or more of those likely to be major hurricanes.

While the area of greatest risk for 2007 is predicted to be in the Gulf, AccuWeather.com Director of Forecast Operations Ken Reeves cautions that 'those living farther up the East Coast should by no means let down their guard. While the threat there is lower than last year, 'less risk' does not mean 'no risk.' We expect at least one storm will threaten these areas.'

'Last year the Northeast may have dodged a bullet, but unfortunately you can only be lucky for so long. As we are in a similar pattern to that of the late 1930s through the 1950s, it is important to note that during that span the Northeast was hit by major storms,' Bastardi added.

The 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30.

Read more about AccuWeather's forecast.

Poll Finds Many Americans Are Unprepared for Disaster

According to a poll conducted by USA Today/Gallup, many Americans are unprepared to deal with the consequences of a natural disaster and have little faith that the federal government is prepared to help if one strikes. The results of the poll spell bad news for emergency managers around the country, who find that, in the aftermath of catastrophe, valuable time is spent delivering supplies to victims who were unprepared for the event. Individual household preparedness is imperative to efficient recovery.

The poll finds that 41 percent of Americans have not stockpiled food and water, and 27 percent don't have an extra supply of medicines, both of which the Federal Emergency Management Agency says are basic disaster preparations. Around 18 percent do not have a first aid kit and about 40 percent do not have a designated person for their family to contact in the event of an emergency. In addition, the USA Today/Gallup poll found that about two-thirds of American do not believe that the federal government is prepared to deal with catastrophe in their respective neighborhoods.

Read more.

Learn basic strategies for preparing yourself and your family for the unexpected.

National Guard Short on Gear as Hurricane Season Blows In

As hurricane season begins, McClatchy Newspapers reports that National Guard troops may be unprepared to respond to natural disasters. Much of the Guard's equipment is overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, which would hinder its ability to respond to a large-scale domestic disaster, according to National Guard officials and government reports. The Government Accountability Office estimates that, 'National Guard units in the U.S. only have about 50 percent of the equipment they would need in the event of domestic natural disaster.'

Read more.

Study Predicts $11.6 Billion Direct Homeowner Savings With
Federal and State CAT Fund

From left to right: Kenneth Reeves, Expert Senior Meteorologist and Director of Forecast Operations at AccuWeather.com; Dr. David Appel, Principal and Director of Economics Consulting for Milliman Inc.; David Chernick, Consulting Actuary for Milliman Inc.; James Lee Witt, former FEMA Director and co-chair of ProtectingAmerica.org; Admiral James Loy, former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security and ProtectingAmerica.org co-chair

Homeowners nationwide could save billions annually from a combination of state and national catastrophe funds, according to a recent study by Milliman Inc., one of the nation's leading actuarial firms. According to the report, American homeowners will save $11.6 billion annually on insurance premiums if a proposed system of state and federal catastrophe backstop funds is established.

'An integrated program that includes a state catastrophe fund and a national backstop in addition to the traditional insurance market, while helping to fund mitigation efforts, enhance first-responder programs and expand homeowner education, would save American homeowners an estimated $11.6 billion per year,' according to Dr. David Appel, Principal and Director of Economics Consulting for Milliman.

Read the full report.

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Touts National Catastrophe Fund

Says U.S. Is Unprepared for Disaster

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.

Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., supports the creation of a national insurance backstop fund, saying the federal government must do more to prepare for disasters. In an interview with The Associated Press, Senator Clinton emphasized the importance of preparation for future disasters. 'We've got to get back to the point where qualified people can make the decisions that have to be made and we have to exercise prevention and mitigation,' she said.

As reported by the AP, 'Senator Clinton traveled to Florida recently, touting the creation of a national catastrophe insurance fund, an issue of utmost importance to Governor Crist and the Florida congressional delegation. Acknowledging the sky-high insurance rates in Florida and in many other parts of the country, Clinton recognized the plight of homeowners and business owners burdened with unaffordable insurance, underscoring the urgent need for a backup insurance system.'

Read more.

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