In fact, one of the country's top meteorologists pointed out on Wednesday that last year's record-shattering season was not unexpected.
"We are into a peak time for hurricanes," said Jefferey Simmons, deputy director of the Department of Meteorology.
"We expect this to continue up to another decade, so that's why this upcoming season we are looking (for it) still to be active, but not as active as last year. We hope we never see something like last year again."
Last year saw 27 named storms during the season. Three storms reached Category Five status, the most severe rating given, which means the storms had winds in excess of 155 miles per hour.
Over the last two centuries, Mr. Simmons explained, one can discern a cycle in the frequency of hurricanes.
"The pattern is clearly established; even if you look over the past two centuries or so, you can see this cycle where you have a decade or so of lull (in storm frequency) then another active decade, and then up and down like that," he said.
According to Mr. Simmons, the country's met officers expect a number of the 17 predicted storms this year to reach land. Five of those storms are expected to become "intense" hurricanes, according to meteorologist Godfrey Burnside.
"All the history books were rewritten after the 2005 season," Mr. Burnside said.
He pointed out that The Bahamas "birthed" about three hurricanes, meaning that the storms entered the Bahamas as tropical depressions and left as tropical storms.
"We know last year, (Hurricane) Wilma did some damage to the northern Bahamas and this year we're just asking persons to be ready and to start preparing themselves as of now for the hurricane season," Mr. Burnside cautioned.
"Be prepared for another active one."
By: Quincy Parker, The Bahama Journal
