Hurricane window extended - Boat U.S. Reports

Boat/US Magazine, May, 2003

In a move that should help hurricane planning and preparedness, the National Weather Service has extended its hurricane forecasts from three days to five days. Following a two-year test, the service said improvements in hurricane track forecasting technology and computer modeling enabled them to provide earlier warnings. The data from the 2001 and 2002 seasons showed that a five-day track forecast now is as accurate as the three-day forecast was 15 years ago.

The additional two days' warning will help those who need more than 72 hours to get ready, for example, boat owners who might want to arrange a haul-out. As half of the U.S. population has moved to within 50 miles of our coastlines, evacuations and other emergency measures before a major storm become more difficult. Boaters who want an easy-to-use guide to preparing their boats can get one free from BoatU.S. Marine Insurance. For "Humicane Warning" guide, call 800-283-2883 or go to BoatUS.com/freebies.