Extreme weather events affected 62 million people around the world in 2018, the United Nation’s weather agency noted recently. The United States confronted its share of those disasters. With six months of severe activity in the books, forecasters predict that the remainder of the year will be just as challenging. For Paul Davis, tracking forecasts and completing strategic planning has enabled the company to respond rapidly and completely with response, mitigation and restoration all over the country.
From January through June, Paul Davis teams have been on-site responding to:
Spring Flooding: In March, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast that two-thirds of the contiguous United States faced increased flood risks, noting that 2019 would likely be an unprecedented flood season putting more than 200 million people at risk. Indeed, flooding has been widespread and is continuing in the Midwest and the Southeast. States with the most devastating damages include Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Severe Storms: This tornado season has been particularly severe and destructive. In just one short span, NOAA recorded approximately 483 tornadoes between May 16 and 30 in the United States. Twisters struck in traditional “Tornado Alley” Great Plains states, as well as in less common states: Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
For the balance of the year from July through December, Paul Davis teams are preparing for forthcoming losses from:
Hurricane season: Long-range forecasters predict that the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30 and includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, will be close to normal. Forecasters expect 12 to 14 named storms within that timeframe, of which five to seven will become hurricanes. Two to four of those will likely become major hurricanes.
Fire Season: A wet winter produced plenty of grass and vegetative growth in western states at highest risk for wildfires: California, Washington and Oregon. Recent hot weather is quickly drying grass and brush. Consequently, forecasters expect a higher than average risk of large wildfires between June and September, as well as typical risks throughout the southwest. Experts also predicted that portions of the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida will experience higher than usual fire risks.
Not all weather and natural disasters are predictable despite the considerable talents of forecasters, particularly considering the rapidly changing weather patterns around the world. Paul Davis teams remain vigilant round the clock throughout the year to respond rapidly where help is required.