August 21, 2014 -- Thoughts or concerns of a hurricane or tropical storm affecting Albany, Georgia, are quickly disregarded, often times due to the geographic location. However, awareness and preparation, specifically in inland locations, are just as important as if located on a coast.
The Southwest Georgia region, to include Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and the local area, is currently in hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, with the peak of the season between mid-August to mid-October.
Since 1950, 78 percent of the Atlantic- named storms have formed during these months.
Of these, 84 percent became hurricanes, and of those, 92 percent developed into major hurricanes, category 3-5.
So far, in the 2014 hurricane season, only two storms have developed into hurricanes Arthur and Bertha.
Overall, the 2014 season is predicted to be slightly below normal in regard to the number of tropical cyclones, according to the National Weather Service.
One hazard associated with a tropical cyclone, which includes tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes, that can impact MCLB Albany is flooding.
The impact from flooding is not only the water itself, but the possibility of stray animals, contaminated drinking water and a shortness of food, to name a few.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Albany Flood, which was a result of Tropical Storm Alberto that dropped 24.43 inches of rain here in a 24-hour period on July 11, 1994.
Another hazard associated with tropical cyclones is straight-line winds and tornadoes.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ivan in 2004 produced 127 tornadoes with 25 touching down in Georgia. Hurricane Beulah in 1967 spawned 115 tornadoes while Hurricane Frances in 2004 spawned 106 tornadoes.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Southeast Louisiana, 280 miles from Georgia, it spawned 20 tornadoes in the state, which is the highest recorded number in history for the month of August, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Hurricane Center also reported about 10 percent of the tropical cyclone-related fatalities are caused by tornadoes.
Additionally, a tropical depression, the lowest category of tropical cyclone, can produce sustained winds of up to 38 miles per hour.
For more information about tropical cyclones and its effects, call Steven Dancer, MCLB Albany’s installation emergency manager, at 229-639-5746.