During that season, 16 tropical cyclones formed in the Atlantic, half of which became hurricanes.
Phenomena include Alex (Storm), Bonnie (Storm), Colin (Storm), Danielle (Hurricane), Earl (Hurricane), Fiona (Hurricane), Gaston (Storm), Ian (Hurricane), Hermione (Storm), Depression Tropical Eleven, Tropical Depression Twelve, Julia (Hurricane), Karl (Storm), Lisa (Hurricane), Martin (Hurricane), and Nicole (Hurricane).
A phenomenon that is predictable
Meteorologists were already warning that this would be a much busier season than usual. And yes, it was the magnitude of hurricanes that, thanks to technology, can be monitored several days in advance, unlike other phenomena such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
“We see when an earthquake occurs, when a volcanic eruption occurs, there is no warning. We have a general seasonal forecast that gives us an idea of what to expect,” meteorologist Alfredo Finalé told the Voice of America.
The entire Atlantic, from the east coast of the United States through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, is under threat for six months: from June 1st to November 30th.
That’s why they recommend from the National Hurricane Center, the office that serves as the meteorological reference authority for the entire region, not to slack off and not to trust yourself.
“That applies to the entire Atlantic. In other words, it doesn’t mean that a specific area will be affected, we know that every year there are hurricanes and tropical storms that affect land or coastal areas,” said Robert Molleda, weather forecaster at the National Hurricane Center’s South Florida headquarters.
hurricanes and climate change
Many environmental activists are alluding to climate change as the main cause of the increase in these atmospheric phenomena, urging the authorities to act immediately because, according to Diego Molina Castrillón, an environmental expert at the Cleo Institute, “it is clear that climate change is happening any other problem you face in your society.”
Despite this, the National Hurricane Center, which has led the study of hurricane generation for several decades, emphasizes that there is still insufficient scientific evidence to make such claims.
Ian’s journey through Florida
Ian was the most devastating hurricane of the season. With wind speeds of over 245 kilometers per hour. It narrowly missed a major hurricane but still left extensive damage and a desolate landscape in its wake. Juan Castillo was one of the survivors of the hurricane on Florida’s west coast.
“It’s something we didn’t expect and we thank God we’re alive to tell you about it. But it’s devastating. We spent practically six hours in the eye of the hurricane and it was devastating,” he told VOA.
There is still a lot to do where many houses, roads and driveways were completely destroyed. So some migrants, mostly Latinos, traveled to work in the Fort Myers area of Florida’s west coast, which was devastated by Hurricane Ian nearly three months ago.
“We need them and they need us now because everything is destroyed and we as Hispanics are the strongest hand (worker) there can be,” says Juan Martínez, an undocumented migrant who was not told to go to this place and to help the affected population.
Helping Latino Immigrants
Like him, many undocumented came to the United States in search of a better life. Now they say they became the other heroes of the tragedy, recalling that migrants have once again proved to be the engine that moves the country.
“When we go to work we don’t go into it skillfully, but we go in with a desire, with a desire to move forward, as you know when you come from our countries you come with the American dream and your The American dream is work,” says Jael Cruz, another undocumented migrant.
They come to this area every day not knowing if they will have a job. They are placed in strategic places for neighbors to see and rent. Because many of the residents still need a lot of help to recover from the passage of the powerful Hurricane Ian.
“Here it is, here people come by, here they come and tell you I need two and you go (to work), you know I need three and you go from here (to work),” Cruz says, leaning in the vehicles to one of them while he waits for a neighbor to come and hire him.
“You have to be well prepared”
The hurricane season has already ended and will not continue until the middle of next year. The authorities are urging that the devastation left behind by these hurricanes should primarily serve to raise awareness among the population. “Being well prepared, no matter how small a cyclone is, is key,” emphasize the National Hurricane Center.