As beautiful as the Grand Strand is, we’re unfortunately in the direct line of hurricanes. Over the years, we’ve had our fair share of the rain, wind, and damage that can come with these storms. The worst in recent years was Hurricane Florence, which caused nearly a foot of rainfall in Horry County, and over 400,000 evacuations in the Palmetto State.
What does the 2022 Hurricane Season have in store?
We were lucky to not have a major storm in 2021, but experts doubt this luck will carry on into the new year. In fact, researchers at Colorado State University have said there will be a 65% chance of above-average activity during the 2022 hurricane season.
The reason the CSU group believes this is because of the current positive phase of the Atlantic multi-decadal oscillation (AMO). What does this mean for South Carolina?
The AMO measures the Atlantic Ocean’s surface temperature over a period of about 60 years. It can give an idea of what’s to come in terms of hurricane activity.
Increase in Named Storms
Even though South Carolina didn’t have a hurricane last year, the Atlantic had more hurricane activity than normal between 2016 and 2021. The AMO is said to be in a positive phase when increases like this happen. Positive phases usually lead to 3-5 times more hurricane activity, which of course applies significantly to us on the coast.
This change directly impacts the Bermuda High. This high-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean is crucial for keeping hurricanes from forming and moving out to sea. But since the current AMO is positive, this might slow the Bermuda High down. The resulting hurricanes could be slower-moving, and thus more powerful.
Don’t wait for a named storm to start preparing.
Even though this might seem like bad news, it doesn’t have to be with a little preparation.
An excellent option for staying safe and sound during a power outage is a standby generator. But don’t wait—as reliable as these units are, permitting and installation can take 4-6 weeks.
Contact Cooper today to find the best generator for you and begin preparations for the 2022 hurricane season!