Michael Peltier: Storm gets some hot air, but not from the Gulf

TALLAHASSEE — The first named tropical storm of the 2006 hurricane season has made international headlines as the world awaits a potential repeat performance of last year's record-breaking activity.

So far, the hype surrounding Tropical Storm Alberto was much more intense than the storm itself. Alberto, which as of Sunday evening was nowhere near hurricane strength, nonetheless played prominently on CNN while the international wires were monitoring its meager status.

Part of the attention is based on last year, when a record 28 tropical cyclones spawned 15 hurricanes, including monster storms like Katrina, which flooded New Orleans, killed more than 1,300 people and caused $80 billion in damage.

But hurricane hunters are also feeding the media's appetite. For the 2006 north Atlantic hurricane season, forecasters are predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes. Of those, four to six could become "major" hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher.

With Katrina still fresh on most people's minds, one should prepare to be bombarded by media coverage at the mere suggestion of a tropical depression.

State officials, too, are using the season to trumpet their own tune. Today, Gov. Jeb Bush will meet with other top responders at the state's emergency operations center for an annual hurricane preparedness update.

After two years of intense hurricane activity, state responders have the routine down pat but are spending considerably more time on public awareness campaigns to get Floridians to look out for themselves in the event of a storm.

Not be outdone by his younger brother, President George Bush has also been promoting self-reliance for coastal residents weary after two years of frequent storms.

Hurricane forecasters say despite their best models, the number of storms that will affect the U.S. could vary widely. That said, they also maintain that residents remain their own best ally in the face of potential disaster.

"Whether we face an active hurricane season, like this year, or a below-normal season, the crucial message for every person is the same: prepare, prepare, prepare," Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center in Miami, said in May. "One hurricane hitting where you live is enough to make it a bad season."

As for Alberto, the storm is expected to make landfall Tuesday, bringing with it heavy rains but relatively little wind. For the curious, here are the rest of the 2006 hurricane names: Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie, and William.

Michael Peltier is the Daily News' Tallahassee correspondent. Computer users may reach him at mpeltier1234@comcast.net