Hurricanes

NOAA has released its seasonal hurricane outlook for the Atlantic basin, and due to warm waters and a diminishing El Niño, the agency believes the year could be ferocious.

According to initial estimates, between $3-$4 billion worth of damage was done during the 2023 hurricane season.

The images reveal the extensive damage to the Pearl of the Pacific, which has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 27 lives. Four people were still missing at last check from Mexico’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection.

Acapulco, known as the Pearl of the Pacific, is recovering after being pummeled by deadly Hurricane Otis, the most powerful storm on record for the Pacific coast of Mexico.

Otis was the strongest hurricane to ever make landfall on the Pacific side of Mexico. It was also the first time an Eastern Pacific hurricane made landfall at Category 5 intensity.

The Atlantic Basin is still buzzing with activity with the development of Tropical Storm Rina on Thursday morning, and forecasters are still keeping their eyes on Tropical Storm Philippe.

The National Hurricane Center has highlighted a disturbance several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands in the eastern tropical Atlantic, currently giving it a high chance of development in the next 2-3 days.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen organized and strengthened into Tropical Storm Ophelia on Friday as it moves toward North Carolina. A Hurricane watch has been issued for parts of eastern North Carolina due to the storm reaching near hurricane strength.

Boston could see sustained tropical-storm-force-winds by Friday evening through the first part of the weekend, and concerns are growing that with leaves still on trees the expected wind and possible heavy rain could snap branches and limbs and pull down power lines, leaving thousands of people in the dark.

The National Hurricane Center in coordination for local National Weather Services offices issued a Hurricane Watch from Stonington, Maine to the U.S.- Canada border and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for from Watch Hill, Rhode Island to Stonington, Maine.

The latest analysis shows Lee has sustained wind speeds of around 120 mph, making the storm a Category 3, as it slowly churns in the southwestern Atlantic ocean.

Hurricane Lee weakened slightly to a Category 4 storm after reaching Category 5 strength Thursday night. Lee is expected to remain a powerful storm through early next week as its potential path for East Coast impacts remains uncertain.

Hurricane Lee is undergoing rapid intensification and reached Category 5 status on Thursday evening.

FOX Corporation has launched a donation drive for relief efforts by the American Red Cross following Hurricane Idalia, the company announced on Friday.