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| Media Section 2012 |
- Press inquiries regarding Mid-Atlantic hurricane history are welcome.
Contact the author: 571-245-0318, ricschwartz@yahoo.com
Blue Diamond Books
For Release: Immediately
Alexandria, Va. 1/03/12
A Hurricane Hazel Is Due In 2012
Will 2012 bring the Middle Atlantic states another Hurricane Hazel?
Hurricane Hazel in 1954 crashed ashore in North Carolina and swept through the
Mid-Atlantic region with a lengthy and wide swath of hurricane force gusts. More than 100
people died. There has never been a longer interval between Hazel-type wind events than
the current 58 years during the past 400 years.
"The Mid-Atlantic region can beat the odds for only so long," said Rick Schwartz, author of
the book, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. "Hurricane Irene might have begun a
series of years bringing destructive hurricanes, including one on par with Hazel."
Never before have so many people and so much property been at risk. Extensive
development since Hurricane Hazel ensures much more property damage during its next
visit.
The region is particularly susceptible to wind damage. Shallow rooted and leafy trees are
easy prey for strong winds. Less wind resistant building design also contributes to risk.
Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was downgraded to a tropical storm when it reached Virginia but
still caused billions of dollars in damage from there through Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and continues until November 30.
"2012 is not a year for complacency," said Schwartz.
Contact information: Rick Schwartz (author of the book, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic
States). E-mail-- ricschwartz@yahoo.com or call, 571-245-0318.
The Web site, www.midatlantichurricanes.com, offers insight into hurricanes of the Middle
Atlantic region and offers summaries of the big storms that have affected Delaware,
Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
For Release: Immediately
Alexandria, Va. 1/03/12
A Hurricane Hazel Is Due In 2012
Will 2012 bring the Middle Atlantic states another Hurricane Hazel?
Hurricane Hazel in 1954 crashed ashore in North Carolina and swept through the
Mid-Atlantic region with a lengthy and wide swath of hurricane force gusts. More than 100
people died. There has never been a longer interval between Hazel-type wind events than
the current 58 years during the past 400 years.
"The Mid-Atlantic region can beat the odds for only so long," said Rick Schwartz, author of
the book, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States. "Hurricane Irene might have begun a
series of years bringing destructive hurricanes, including one on par with Hazel."
Never before have so many people and so much property been at risk. Extensive
development since Hurricane Hazel ensures much more property damage during its next
visit.
The region is particularly susceptible to wind damage. Shallow rooted and leafy trees are
easy prey for strong winds. Less wind resistant building design also contributes to risk.
Hurricane Isabel in 2003 was downgraded to a tropical storm when it reached Virginia but
still caused billions of dollars in damage from there through Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and continues until November 30.
"2012 is not a year for complacency," said Schwartz.
Contact information: Rick Schwartz (author of the book, Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic
States). E-mail-- ricschwartz@yahoo.com or call, 571-245-0318.
The Web site, www.midatlantichurricanes.com, offers insight into hurricanes of the Middle
Atlantic region and offers summaries of the big storms that have affected Delaware,
Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
- The following are questions frequently asked Richard Schwartz, author of Hurricanes
and the Middle Atlantic States:
Q. What are the region's greatest hurricane threats?
The Middle Atlantic states are due for a destructive region-wide coastal storm. The
last significant region-wide coastal hurricane was Gloria in 1985. The current active
North Atlantic hurricane cycle began in 1995, yet the region has not had a major
coastal event. Previous active cycles, typically lasting 25 to 30 years, featured at
least a half-dozen.
The Mid-Atlantic is also due for a severe, extensive, inland windstorm. The last was
Hurricane Hazel in 1954. It brought hurricane-force gusts to nearly the entire eastern
third of the region. Inland hurricanes occur, on average, about every 50 years. Never
before have so many people and so much property been at risk.
Q. Why did you write the book?
I have lived in the Mid-Atlantic region all my life. I became interested in hurricanes
when I was a teenager. From that time until my book came out, there was no
resource that provided a regional hurricane history. In fact, it seemed a lost history.
I discovered an extensive, fascinating and compelling past. Residents need to be
aware of it as the kinds of hurricanes that have visited in the past will return.
Hurricane history is very repetitious.
My research included records dating back to the 1600s. Voices from the past
seemed to whisper, "Don't let our observations be lost. Future generations need to
know what we've seen and experienced."
It's crucial to learn from the past to better prepare for the future. Unfortunately, it
seems as if little has been done to prepare for the Big Ones and apathy, particularly
away from the coast, continues to grow. My book offers vital information; reasons to
be concerned and prepare.
Q. What are your credentials?
I have tracked Atlantic hurricanes during the past 40 years. I spent seven years
researching and writing the book. This included more than 10,000 miles of driving,
about a hundred interviews and viewing countless rolls of microfilm. I have also read
the hurricane history works of many other authors.
- Perhaps, I was meant to write a book like this. My birthday is on June 1, which is the
official start of hurricane season.
Q. How will readers benefit?
The book offers an incisive examination of the types and characteristics of the
region's hurricanes, as well as the risks faced by the Middle Atlantic states. It
provides a basis for comparison, a basis for preparation and a way to put future
storms in context. At the same time it is an interesting read, an extensive collection of
short storm stories and hurricane damage photographs found nowhere else.
Q. Which states are featured?
The book focuses on Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
However, neighboring states are not neglected, nor is Washington, D.C., or the New
York City metropolitan area. The human interest stories and lessons from past
storms are of universal interest.
Q. What is themost destructive hurricane to visit the region?
There is no one hurricane that offers a complete package of utter devastation. The
'worst' depends on the type of event. For high winds, Hurricane Hazel in 1954 is the
the most destructive during the past century. Hurricane Agnes, in 1972, was the most
destructive regional rainstorm. Hurricane Camille, Virginia's deadliest natural
disaster, ranks among the most extreme localized rain events. The Great Atlantic
Hurricane of 1944 or Chesapeake and Potomac Hurricane of 1933 are among the
most destructive coastal hurricanes of the past century.
Q. Could a Hurricane Katrina strike the Middle Atlantic states?
- Yes! The two major coastal urban areas, Hampton Roads, Va., and New York City
metropolitan area have had close encounters with hurricanes.
Category 2 hurricanes nearly struck the Hampton Roads area in 1933 and 1936.
Category 3--Katrina strength hurricanes--have tracked fewer than 50 miles offshore.
The low-lying area, which is located in southeastern Virginia, has a population of
more than a million. A direct hit from a Category 3 or stronger hurricane could
inundate the homes of more than a half million residents.
Category 1 hurricanes have tracked over or within a few miles of New York City in
1821, 1893 and 1976. A Category 3 hurricane came ashore on Long Island, within
60 miles of New York City, in 1938. That disaster killed 600 people in New England.
While an extremely rare event--it has not happened in the past 400 years--a
Category 3 or stronger hurricane might follow a path closer to the New York
metropolitan area than the storm of 1938.
| Interview With The Author |
