“Low Probability, But It Just Takes One”
By William Keltner
The television studios of KRGV-TV served as the venue for this year’s National Weather Service Media Partners Hurricane Workshop. An impressive slate of NOAA and NWS meteorologists and weather professionals laid out the prospects for the 2014 hurricane season for the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas.
After a cordial welcome to the members of the press, Channel Five Chief Meteorologist, Tim Smith introduced the first speaker of the daylong Hurricane Workshop. In his opening remarks, Steve Drillette, Meteorologist-in-charge of the NWS office in Brownsville, set the tone for the program to follow:
Drillette said all the models for this summer’s tropical weather season point to a “normal to below normal” season. “But,” he cautioned, “it just takes one to make it a memorable year,” adding, “Remember, the unforgettable storm named Beulah was only the second storm of the 1967 season coming in September!”
Those remarks were backed up by Barry Goldsmith, the official NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist stationed in Brownsville. Goldsmith reviewed the history of hurricanes affecting the lower Texas coast since the turn of the century. “The records show that the most destructive hurricanes to impact the Rio Grande Valley occurred in September of 1967 and the ‘no-name’ storm of September 1933,” he said. “As far as this year,” Goldsmith continued, “we are looking for probably 8-13 named tropical storms, 3-6 storms reaching hurricane strength and maybe 1 or 2 major storms touching land somewhere.”
Justin Gibbs, NWS Tropical Program Leader, gave an update on products and services available from the National Hurricane Center and NWS Brownsville/Rio Grande Valley. Gibbs said, “It is always a quandary to determine exactly where it will hit.” “Take action as soon as the first Watch alert is sounded seven days out, and follow it day by day until it’s a Warning 24 and 12 hours out. Take action regardless—it can save your life,” he stressed, “Run from water, hide from the wind.”
This year‘s National Weather Service products includes improving communication with a new information source for Spanish-speaking residents. Maria Torres, Spanish Language Program Leader, explained the new Spanish translation service with the weather updates and warnings in Spanish for both sides of the border.
Tim Smith has been a popular weatherman at KRGV-TV for 32 years. He came in 1981, the same year a destructive hurricane named Allen struck the Valley. He said, “I guess you could say, I blew in with Allen in 1981–believe me, that was quite a welcome.” The speakers urged all to (1) Stay alert, (2) Be prepared, (3) Verify your insurance policies, (4) follow instructions, (5) Evacuate if ordered to do so–don’t try to be a hero.
Steve Drillette, Meteorologist-in-Charge, can be reached at 956-504-1432 X 222, or www.weather.gov/brownsville and Maria M. Torres, Meteorologist/Forecaster at 956-504-1432, or Maria.Torres@noaa.gov. TBB
