It’s hard to believe it’s been seven years since Wilma, but June 1 marked the start of yet another Hurricane Season. We’d normally start again at the letter “A,” except this year with two pre-season storms, we’re already at “C”.  It’s anybody’s guess as to whether our luck will continue, but there is one thing we can be sure of.  As soon as a storm even remotely threatens us, the media will be salivating over the next big story.  After extensive research, we have come up with the five things you are most likely to hear in the 2012 hurricane season.

1. “It’s Time To Hunker Down”
2. “We’re not out of the Woods Yet”
3. “The Cone on Your Phone”
4. “We Can’t Let our Guards Down Yet”
5. “Let’s Turn it Over to Bryan Norcross/Richard Knabb/Jim Cantore”

When a storm threatens we are always instructed to hunker down.  But what exactly is hunkering? If we hunker, does that make us a hunkerer? When the threat subsides, do we hunker up? It seems that the term “hunker” may have originated in the 18th Century from the old Norse Huka –  to squat, and its cousins the Dutch Hurken and German Hokken.  Funny, I didn’t realize they had hurricanes in Germany in the 18th century.

Another big one is “we’re not out of the woods yet”. Have you ever heard a newscaster in the midst of the storm say: “Jim, I believe we’re in the woods…” Of course, if we were out of the woods, we could turn off our TVs and the networks would take a direct category five hit in their advertising revenue. It’s important to separate media hysteria from fact. We must remember that the media has a vested interest in keeping us glued to our TV’s. Personally I prefer to get my information directly from the Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov and pay special attention to the “discussion” which is an explanation of how the forecast was determined. Regardless, I’m sure we’ll hear “we’re not out of the woods yet” dozens of times in the coming months.

Dr. William Gray at Colorado State University predicts that 2012 will be a below average hurricane season with around 13 named storms, and 5 hurricanes, 2 of which will be major.  This brings up the obvious question of what is the world’s foremost hurricane forecaster doing in Colorado ? It may actually prove that he’s smarter than us.

In the coming months, we can expect a few uneasy periods when we are “in the cone” of uncertainty which indicates the possibility of a hurricane strike within 120 hours. Luckily, most of us now have smartphones to keep up with the latest information. WSVN, Channel 7 in Miami has a free text service (text the word “CONE” to 23000) to send you the latest storm updates.  This service is known and heavily promoted as “the cone on your phone.” You’ve go to love it…or hate it.

We are significantly more prepared as a community as a result of lessons learned   from Francis, Jeanne and Wilma.  Many gas stations and grocery stores are now generator equipped, we have stronger power lines and traffic signals and our communications system has been fortified by generators on cell towers. Many of us have installed shutters and have our own generators. The community is better prepared, but we can’t let our guards down yet! (hey, that’s #4 !)

Finally, when a storm threatens, we’ll see all the experts seeking their 15 minutes of fame. You may remember the signature crewcut of Dr. Neil Frank and the calm demeanor of Max Mayfield.  Their successor is new National Hurricane Center  Director Dr. Richard Knabb, who grew up in Coral Springs and returns to the center after a stint at the Weather Channel. We’re hoping he is the next media superstar. But the undisputed King of Hurricane Season is still Miami’s Bryan Norcross.

To long-time South Florida residents, Bryan is a true hero. Back in 1992 as weatherman on WTVJ in Miami, he took phone calls over the air and saved lives by telling people what to do as their roofs were blowing off during Hurricane Andrew. For that, the community will always be grateful. Bryan’s career skyrocketed as a result and he has gotten a number of network gigs and a spot on The Weather Channel.

Unfortunately, he now realizes that the worse the hurricane gets, the better it is for Bryan Norcross. To me, it seems that Bryan now roots a little too hard for the Hurricane. I don’t have an actual transcript, but this is a simulated interview between Brian and former Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield.

Bryan: Do you think this storm will hit South Florida
Max: From our seven scientific models and analysis from NASA and a NOAA fly-in, we are certain the storm will turn into the open waters of the Atlantic and quickly dissipate
Bryan: But couldn’t it suddenly intensify and turn back our way?
Max: Not going to happen Bryan
Bryan: Isn’t there even a tiny little chance
Max: Sorry Bryan, you’re going to have to wait for the next one
Bryan: Bummer

When the next big one comes, I’ll be watching Bryan Norcross, but please Bryan, tone it down just a bit. Honorable mention goes to the Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore. Whenever a storm threatens, it is Jim who has the unenviable task of reporting from the expected point of landfall. Somehow, he seems to enjoy it.  A warning; if you look out into your front yard and see Jim Cantore, you know you’re in big trouble.

From our video archive, Senior Property Manager John Eudy and  Director of Business Development Ken Silberling discuss the generator at  Danburg’s Peninsula Corporate Center

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