Hurricane, storm season begins, residents urged to prepare Published June 8, 2006 By Senior Master Sgt. Don Perrien 305 AMW Public Affairs MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Are you expecting a visit from Alberto this summer? How about Chris or Debby? If they do drop by your home, are you ready for their arrival? Alberto, Chris and Debby are just three of the 21 names the National Hurricane Center is waiting to bestow on severe storms forming over the Atlantic Ocean during this 2006 hurricane season. According to Dr. William Gray, professor emeritus of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University and a pioneer in tropical storm forecasting, this year will be another active year for severe storms in the Atlantic. Dr. Gray predicts there will be 17 "named" storms and that nine of those will reach hurricane class with winds of at least 75 miles per hour. In addition, he believes there's a better than 80 percent chance that a major hurricane will strike the U.S. coastline again this year. So, what can people assigned to McGuire and other nearby military installations do to best prepare themselves in case of a visit from a named hurricane? "The two most important things I would recommend are to have a family communications plan and a disaster kit," said Steven Robertson, chief of emergency management. "Both, if not developed already, should be done as soon as possible. "The communications plan includes having a designated assembly area, should all family members not be able to get to their home," Mr. Robertson said. "It also includes having a contact person outside of the McGuire area. In the event of a disaster, should your family become separated and unable get to the designated assembly area, everyone in your family should notify the contact person with their status, location and phone number." For a family's disaster kit, FEMA recommends people should store enough food and water for at least three days — and up to a week in case of a hurricane. Other items that belong in the kit include a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries. In addition, items such as a flashlight, a first aid kit, a whistle to signal for help, dust masks along with plastic sheeting and duct tape can help families following a severe storm. While the probability of a direct hit from a hurricane is lower here in New Jersey than in the southern regions of the U.S., the area has borne the brunt of severe storms in the past. In 1999, the remnants of Hurricane Floyd ravaged the state, killing four people and leaving more than 2,000 people homeless. Fortunately, no one at McGuire was seriously hurt, although the storm did do significant damage on base including uprooting trees and downing power lines. In the aftermath of the storm, McGuire and Fort Dix served as the hub for relief efforts in the area, helping to deliver water and ice to the more than 200,000 New Jersey residents who lost their water supplies as a result of Hurricane Floyd's destruction. Base officials stress that accountability is the key for making sure proper severe weather actions are taken -- before a storm arrives. "People are our most important asset, and we must be ready to protect ourselves in case of any type of severe weather -- including hurricanes," said Lt. Col. Pat Rose, 305th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "I encourage every Team McGuire member to become familiar with their unit's severe weather plan and create a personal severe weather plan for their families as well."