How Coronavirus Can Affect the 2020 Hurricane Season in Florida

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

2020 hurricane predictions are showing a potential increase in activity this season

Hurricanes are a fact of life. In the southeast, people have learned to prepare for hurricane season. Hurricanes typically strike this part of the country between June 1st and November 1st. During this time, people can expect more hurricanes to strike the coast and head inland. This year, hurricane season poses a particular challenge. In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people from all walks of life are wondering exactly how to respond. Weathermen, epidemiologists, and all those involved in speaking to the public are trying to figure out the best way to proceed as they head into this season.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Hurricane Season

One thing is for certain. The Coronavirus has already had an impact on the way people think about the summer and the impact that hurricanes will undoubtedly have on travel plans and for residents of places that are highly affected by these storms. As March falls into April, this is when many people in Florida start to hear messages about what they should do to make plans. Instead of working towards a comprehensive plan to cope with expected issues related to hurricanes, officials have focused their attention largely on efforts related to the Coronavirus crisis. Two hugely important conferences related to early preparations, the Florida Governor’s Hurricane Conference, and the National Hurricane Conference have actually been canceled. In doing so, first responders and other officials have lost out on opportunities to learn about new developments that might make for more efficient responses based on recent data.

Several Plans Are in Place

Florida is going to be hit hard by COVID-19. Officials do not expect to hit peak until early May. Thirty-six deaths are expected daily when hurricane season hits. In addition, it is also possible that the region may experience later waves of infections in the fall. As that is the height of the season when storms are traditionally at their strongest, it is clear that officials must figure out new ways to ensure that all those are safe even when a storm is about to make landfall.

With that goal in mind, certain guidelines are being developed by experts. One question becomes if those who are infected with the virus should be sent to separate shelters. Guidelines in place already limit how many people can be in one place at one time right now. Local governments may need to create more shelters and spread them out further in order to keep people safe from the virus and from the hurricane at the same time.

Some people have special medical needs. They may need to have room for attendants on hand who can assist them with basic tasks in the middle of a hurricane. Those who are suffering as a result of the virus will need to be moved carefully if a medical center is threatened with a massive storm. Given the issues with the pandemic, it is also likely that even those who are healthy may be worried about moving into a shelter for fear of being infected.

An Active Season

Weather forecasters believe the coming year will probably be an active season for hurricanes. This means a busy season when at least several hurricanes will head to land. Floridians need to take special care from August to October. Certain areas are especially vulnerable. Areas such as the Keys are dependent on tourism for much of their income. That leads to increased unemployment and decreased funding for locals. Other areas along the coast are also hard hit because of prior issues such as heavy rainfall. The question becomes if officials at health and other organizations can cope with the new problems.

While this is all scary for many locals and public officials, those at FEMA are confident they have what it takes to manage a pandemic and any hurricane at the same time. Other officials are also hopeful the worst of the pandemic will pass them by before the really bad hurricanes begin. They believe that deaths and infections will likely begin to taper off by that time. They also believe they have the financial resources to cope with it all. It is clear that procedures are in place to combat the storms and the pandemic.