As the U.S. Coast Guard continues to search for missing persons after a commercial ship capsized in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday as a result of a thunderstorm, Louisiana residents are preparing for more emergent storms in a hurricane season expected to be more active than usual.
“This is going to be a tough summer,” Adrienne Webber, 57, originally from southern Louisiana, told CBS News. “Make sure you’re prepared.”
According to a study published Thursday by the Weather Company, 18 different named storms – including eight hurricanes and three major hurricanes – are predicted to hit the Atlantic basin during this hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30. shy of last year’s record of the 30 storms mentioned, is above the 30-year average.
With more than a month to go until the official start of the hurricane season, the severe weather is already taking its toll on the area. On Tuesday afternoon, a 36-meter commercial ship capsized eight miles south of Port Fourchon, Louisiana, where the sea was on the high seas and winds of up to 90 miles per hour. There were nineteen people on board at the time. Four were killed and nine are still missing.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends and loved ones of everyone involved in this tragic incident,” said Captain Will Watson, commander of the New Orleans Coast Guard sector in a press release. “We are using all available resources to continue our search efforts.”
Since the capsizing, rain and severe weather have hampered the Coast Guard’s search and families have only become angrier, CBS News’ Jessi Mitchell reports.
Divers have had to interrupt their search several times due to dangerous weather conditions. Visibility at the time was so low that the divers could only see “as far as their hand in front of them,” even with lights, Mitchell said.
“The crew members’ loved ones are not taking the news of weather delays well,” added Mitchell.
Webber, who has weathered other severe hurricanes in Louisiana like Katrina, said she is preparing for the active hurricane season by making sure she has supplies ready for her and her family.
“We have to be prepared for whatever happens,” she said. “You have to make sure you have everything.”