Bowleys Quarters Ready for Busy Hurricane Season

Janet Walper remembers watching the water flood into her Bowleys Quarters home in September 2003 as the remnants of Tropical Storm Isabel ravaged her community.

In all, more than three feet of water poured into her home following a more than 7-foot tidal surge.

“You really couldn’t do anything once the flooding started,” Walper said. “It was all about saving the house once the flooding ended.”

Once the water receded, mold overtook Walper’s home, and she and her husband Ron were forced to tear down their house and rebuild. Her new home, much like the dozens of others that rebuilt following the storm, is now well above ground to reduce the risk of similar damage from happening in the future.

However, that doesn’t mean those in Bowleys Quarters are not concerned about future flooding during the annual hurricane season, set to begin June 1.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-average six-month hurricane season for the region during an announcement earlier this month.

Across the entire Atlantic Basin, NOAA is predicting the following ranges this year:

• Twelve to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:
• Six to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:
• Three to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)

Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes.

“The United States was fortunate last year. Winds steered most of the season’s tropical storms and all hurricanes away from our coastlines,” said Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “However we can’t count on luck to get us through this season. We need to be prepared, especially with this above-normal outlook.”

NOAA officials cited the following climate factors for this outlook:

• The continuing high activity era. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal signal has brought ocean and atmospheric conditions conducive for development in sync, leading to more active Atlantic hurricane seasons.
• Warm Atlantic Ocean water. Sea surface temperatures where storms often develop and move across the Atlantic are warmer than average, up to two degrees Fahrenheit.
• La Niña, which continues to weaken in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is expected to dissipate later this month or in June, but its impacts such as reduced wind shear are expected to continue into the hurricane season.

With May 22-28 also being national Hurricane Preparedness Week, BGE is urging customers to take appropriate precautions in case of a storm.

The utility cites recent severe weather events including devastating tornadoes and flooding in states such as Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri, as reasons why households should develop family emergency preparedness plan, prior to a severe weather event.

“The tornadoes that devastated the South and the large amount of flooding we’ve seen this spring should serve as a reminder that disasters can happen anytime and anywhere,” said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in a statement.

“As we move into this hurricane season it’s important to remember that FEMA is just part of an emergency management team that includes the entire federal family, state, local and tribal governments, the private sector and most importantly the public.”

Part of that preparation, BGE officials warn, is to prepare for a power outage and have the following items readily available:

• Flashlights—not candles
• Fresh batteries
• Battery-operated clock radio
• Corded telephone
• Fully charged cell phone
• Non-perishable foods
• Blankets

BGE also suggests that customers with special needs, such as those who may be elderly, handicapped or dependent on electricity for medical equipment, have alternate arrangements in place should they experience an extended power outage. Customers using a generator or space heater should follow manufacturer instructions and be sure to locate generators in well-ventilated areas.

Customers also should consider filling the fuel tanks of their vehicles in the event a power outage affects service to neighborhood gas stations. For customers who rely on well water, filling a bathtub with water in advance of severe weather is strongly encouraged.

Walper said all of that advice should be taken to heart; something she knows through first-hand experience.

“We had all of our important papers and possessions backed up and ready to go,” Walper said. “The hard part was dealing with the cleanup. The mold was just something we could keep up with.

"We were lucky and were able to rebuild. Others weren’t as lucky. When you live in a community like Bowleys Quarters, the possibility of flooding is something you know you have to deal with. Being prepared is the key.”