By the time the harsh winds and blistering rains of Superstorm Sandy hit the Jersey shore last year, there had already been several bad storm surges throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
As the waters poured inland, the evacuation procedures were well underway. Angelo Koziol, a resident who was evacuated from Normandy Beach, N.J. says he was very concerned about his house.Hurricane Sandy had battered the eastern seaboard for over 2 days. After the waters receded and the winds died down, the citizens of the Jersey shore returned to find out if their houses were just damaged or totally destroyed.
Fast forward one year. After suffering extreme damage to the foundation of their home during Sandy, the Koziol’s have invested in sandbags and an elaborate water barrier system. They are not taking any chances.
So far, however, this year’s hurricane season has defied the experts expectations. Prior to the start of the hurricane season, which runs from the beginning of June to the end of November, the climatologist team at Colorado State University predicted this would be another above average year for hurricanes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also predicted an above average forecast of hurricanes.
NOAA indicated it expected of 13 – 19 named storms this year, 6-9 of them tropical storms that could form into hurricanes. That’s 3-5 major hurricanes more than are usually forecast.
But while the current season hasn’t lived up to expectations so far, many coastal residents are not taking any chances.
Chet Wohltman, manager of Aaron & Company, a local plumbing supply house said in an interview with the VOICE “Local residents have done a diligent job in preparing for hurricanes this year. We have expanded our selection of pumps and generators and I’ve noticed a increase in sales.”
The Koziol family bought additional insurance this year, at very high premiums. They upgraded their drainage and are installing a generator. Koziol said “This year has been quiet so far, but the same could be said about last’s year hurricane season. Of course, until Sandy hit.”
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