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Hernando Today

Hurricane Expo A Time Of Learning

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: June 1, 2008

WEEKI WACHEE - A local attraction for fun and sun became an epicenter of hurricane information Saturday.

Channel 8 meteorologist Steve Jerve was on hand to discuss the season's forecast and answer questions from an audience packed into the underwater theater at Weeki Wachee Springs.

A wide range of questions were asked - from the scientific to the prophetic. One lady asked him if there was a way to predict hurricane activity for Hernando County.

"We have forecasts for the entire Atlantic Basin," he said. Jerve described how difficult it is to predict where a hurricane will strike until days before it hits land.

"I predict there will be thunderstorms this summer," he joked. "Pretty brave of me, right?"

The entire park was open and free admission was granted to all visitors during the expo, which ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and included mermaid shows, access to Buccaneer Bay and live entertainment.

Since the busy hurricane seasons of 2004 and 2005, Florida residents have used the days and weeks leading to tropical storm season as a way to stock up on household items needed for when a natural disaster comes to town.

Storm shutters, underground shelters and generators are hot sellers this time of year and local vendors were busy selling such products Saturday.

"A lot of people don't think it through," said Scott Taylor, of Florida Cooperative Extension, which had a booth set up in the park. "During a natural disaster, you're not going to be thinking too clearly. If you have it all together beforehand, it's easier to pack it all and get out."

Several "how to" workshops were held throughout the day. The topics ranged from how to mitigate a home in preparation for a hurricane to learning the importance of weather radios.

"I'm from California and I was used to earthquakes," said Scott Johnson, of Spring Hill. "They don't bother me, but hurricanes scare the hell out of me."

He recalled visiting Florida a few years ago in the aftermath of a storm that ripped through a portion of the Gulf Coast. The images never left him.

"I've been through earthquakes so I know what to expect," he said. "With a hurricane, I don't know what to expect."

Last year, Tropical Storm Barry delayed the expo for an hour and caused Jerve, who had to do live reports out of his studio in Tampa, to cancel at the last minute.

Hernando County Emergency Management Director Mark Tobert said last year's circumstances taught him to schedule the event prior to hurricane season.

"I think we get better about this every year," he said. "This time, I thought it would be best to do it one week before the first Saturday in June."

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Dec. 1 and usually peaks in September.

Forecasters have predicted an active season this year with 15 named storms, eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes (Category 3 or greater).

Global and sea surface temperatures are strong indicators of whether there will be an active hurricane season, Jerve said.

Saturday's turnout gave him the impression people are interested in the weather, particularly this time of year.

"Whenever we talk about tropical storm activity, people become very interested," he said.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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