Get ready for hurricane season

Property investors in the US and Caribbean hurricane zones are being reminded that the season begins on June 1 and those near the coast should start taking necessary precautions.

The 2008 Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Forecast is predicting above average activity for the US and Caribbean.

They expect 12 to 16 named storms of which six to nine will be hurricanes, of which two to five will be major hurricanes. An average season has 11 named storms

Key plans should include keeping first-aid kit, an ample supply of canned goods, plenty of bottled water, and other essentials, and an "emergency wallet" that includes money and other essential documents.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security advises all property owners to have an emergency kit and an emergency plan for evacuation. It points people to two websites for information – www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov for further information.

'Tropical storms can cause destruction over entire regions and claim the lives of many. We can help reduce vulnerability in our communities by encouraging all citizens to be prepared and to work together,' said President George Bush, declaring May 25 to 31st as National Hurricane Prepardeness Week.

'Maintaining emergency supply kits and family communication plans, and knowing what to do in an emergency can help save lives,' he added.

'I also urge all those living in vulnerable coastal areas to take appropriate measures and precautions to protect themselves, their homes, and their communities against the effects of hurricanes.'

The forecasters say there is a 69% chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall on the US coastline in 2008, a 45% chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula, and a 44% chance that a major hurricane will make landfall on the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle west to Brownsville. The team also predicted above-average major hurricane landfall risk in the Caribbean.

'The United States was quite fortunate over the last two years in that we had only one hurricane landfall, Humberto in 2007,' Phil Klotzbach of the Colorado state hurricane forecast team.

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