There’s a storm brewing

Upcoming fishing rodeos
July 9, 2007
Ray Fonseca
July 11, 2007
Upcoming fishing rodeos
July 9, 2007
Ray Fonseca
July 11, 2007

August is just a few short weeks away. For Louisianans, the eighth marks the “real” start of hurricane season.


After all, dating as far back as 1811, only 20-recorded storms slammed the Louisiana coast before August, according to the National Weather Service.

But the lion’s share of the storms – 27 – fall in August and September – 36.


And nearly two years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita forever changed the southeast coastline, a number of the region’s homeowners are still slowly trying to right their lives. Day-to-day weather has never been an issue with people in the Bayou State. After all, in the summer the skies are always changing.


But hurricane seasons will never again be something to take lightly.

And that’s why the virtual mutiny in the National Hurricane Center is of great concern to this region.

Late last week, a group of 20-plus hurricane center staffers – angered at remarks director Bill Proenza made about QuikScat, an aging weather satellite – issued a statement to the Associated Press demanding federal officials send him packing. Proenza, they argued, has undermined public confidence in the center by exaggerating the problems the center’s scientists would face if the satellite failed.

Proenza, who replaced weather icon Max Mayfield at the post, explained he was just trying to get the best equipment possible for the staff. The employees, on the other hand, say he undermined confidence in their predictions.

The director has been temporarily reassigned, but is still listed as an NOAA staffer and, as such, is still drawing his salary.

In the middle of hurricane season, residents along the Gulf Coast hate to see this storm brew. All parties involved would do well to remember the October, the third busiest month in hurricane season, also marks the election primaries. If this turns into a political football, it could very well be decided at the polls.