The Gulf coast is facing an additional threat this year from the sunken BP drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana. Ocean currents may carry oil into the Atlantic although it is unlikely that it will be carred far up the Atlantic coast.

For a free hurricane tracking chart, send your name and mailing address to hurricanes@hsem.nh.gov or Hurricanes, 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305.

Hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University are predicting 6-8 hurricanes this year in the Atlantic/Caribbean basin, which is slightly above average. Here is a summary of the Colorado State predictions in the form of a news release from the university. We also have the full text of the April 2010 updated seasonal forecast.

With summer here, everyone involved in outdoor activities should be aware of the danger of lightning . Lightning kills an average of 57 people in the United States every year, more than hurricanes or tornados, and injures at least 300. If you can hear thunder, you are in danger of being struck by lightning and should immediately take shelter in the nearest building. July is the month of greatest lightning activity.

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