The Gulf of Mexico coastal region of the U.S. prepare for Arlene to bring a deluge to its shores. The tropical storm has already passed through Cuba, the Caymans and other Caribbean locales heading towards landfall in the U.S.
The violent, summer storm is expected to reach the U.S. sometime during Saturday afternoon or evening. According to meteorologists, winds are moving at 40-45 miles an hour but the potential is there, as the storm moves north, for it to become a full-blown hurricane.
Hurricane watches have been set up form the Louisiana/Mississippi bored to Panama City, Florida and tropical storm warning from Grand Isle, LA to St. Marks FLA. Coastal flood watches have been activated from Pascagoula, MI to Destin, FLA.
Two big issues stick out with this early start to the hurricane season. First is the pounding the peninsula state of Florida took last year absorbing four full-blown hurricanes. The numbers say one in five houses were destroyed, upwards of $22 billion in damages, and about 130 deaths. Florida’s already had a fair amount of rain in recent days, so streams are full and the drainage systems that hadn’t completely recovered from last year may be called upon to handle another heavy load.
Hurricanes cause massive rains and flooding, can spawn tornadoes and generally wreak havoc upon the surrounding lands and waters, including offshore oilrigs.
The oilrigs in the Gulf of Mexico also prepare for the worst on this. Hurricanes last year caused serious problems in oil production from the Gulf and with the state of oil markets; any loss of production could spell exorbitant prices on the market and at the pump. With the possible oilrig issue, add to the mix that Louisiana oil refineries could experience difficulties, depending on what happens with the storm and it could spell disaster.
John Stith is a staff writer for murdok covering technology and business.
