# 5698
Tropical Storm Bret formed yesterday (Sunday) off the east coast of Florida and overnight moved slowly south towards the Bahamas. The storm is now centered just Northwest of Great Abaco Island, and is drifting slowly to the east at 3 MPH.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Grand Bahama islands, and the Abaco Island in the Northwest Bahamas. As of 5am EST, the National Hurricane Center’s summary reads:
Computer models are mostly (but not 100%) in agreement, and this storm is expected to lift off to the north and then northeast posing little threat except to marine interests.
While the forecast could change, it appears unlikely that Bret will impact the eastern seaboard of the United States.
Regardless of what this system does, we have more than four months left to the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, and predictions (see NOAA Issues 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Outlook) are calling for:
- 12 to 18 named storms
- 6 to 10 could become hurricanes
- 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater)
Which means that if you haven’t already done so, this weekend is the perfect time to review your family and/or business disaster plan.
To help you along, NOAA, FEMA, and the American Red Cross have released an updated preparedness guide for the 2011 tropical season.
Since May was National Hurricane Preparedness week, this blog devoted considerable time to the subject. A few of my blogs on hurricane preparedness included:
National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2011
Hurricane Preparedness Week: Inland Flooding
