The NOAA announced that this year's hurricane season should be a very active one. During a news conference at the NOAA National Hurricane Center May 22nd, retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator said, "For the 2006 north Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes, of which four to six could become 'major' hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher."

Normally, the North Atlantic hurricane season produces 11 named storms with 6 of them becoming hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes. The 2005 season had a record 28 storms, 15 hurricanes, and 7 major hurricanes. Four of the major storms hit the United States, but North Carolina was spared any major storm.

For more information, go to NOAA's National Hurricane Center web page. This page includes the latest information including radar, maps, and email notifications.