John Gaughan: Hurricane Matthew to what's next?

Today offically starts the hurricane season

2016 was a busy year for tropical action around Jacksonville, including one very close call...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.Quick!  How many storms impacted Jacksonville in 2016 (last year)? 

Answer: 4

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This was the most to impact Jacksonville in single season in decades. Yet, most will only remember Matthew.

Luckily Matthew, now joins the list of the very serious close calls Jacksonville has seen over the past 53 years (since Dora, in 1964). Matthew (2016), Floyd (1999), Hugo (1989), David (1979) were all major hurricanes that for one very subtle reason, or another, failed to pounce on Jacksonville. All could have killed many, as well as, set the city back more than a decade (as Katrina did to New Orleans) instead we hang in there for another year.

Seasonal forecast continue to show amazing advances in forecasting, thanks to the work of the late Dr. William Gray, Dr. Klotzbach and many others at NOAA. The final analysis has always been "it only takes one". Today's seasonal forecasts aren't even close to nailing down that "one storm".

So, I remind you to stay vigilant, have a POA!  That's a "plan of action". Will you stay? or go? Protect your house? What about your job? Will you get paid after a storm rips the area? How will you pay your bills? These and a thousand other questions need to be addressed now, before the pressure of a storm barreling down on you. Inside these links and our hurricane guide, you will get many of the answers you need in case "the one" finally takes its aim directly at Jacksonville/St. Augustine/Brunswick.

Start planning by going here and here!

Stay safe! Remain alert, especially in those critical weeks from August 1st until October 10th.