Hurricane Almanac: The Essential Guide to Storms Past, Present, and Future

Essential Information from CBS News' Hurricane Analyst

Bryan Norcross's pioneering and courageous TV coverage of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 helped millions of people in Florida cope with the killer storm. This revised and updated version of last year's popular almanac adds detailed stories of the powerful hurricanes of the past that would be catastrophes if they happened today and explores how explosive coastal development during a time of relatively few hurricanes has set the stage for mega-disasters. If hurricanes make landfall today at the rate they did in much of the twentieth century, how could we prevent the unimaginable destruction? A new section will also help you better understand hurricane advisories.

Bryan Norcross's Hurricane Almanac is two books in one. The first half is hurricane science, history, and perspectives on how we, as a society, deal with hurricanes. The second half is a personal guide to "Living Successfully in the Hurricane Zone." In addition to reviewing and explaining the relatively mild 2006 hurricane season, it looks forward to hurricane seasons to come, highlights the fascinating history of hurricanes interacting with civilization, and details our rapidly increasingly ability---but still with limitations---to predict the severity and tracks of storms. With preparation checklists and shopping lists, an easy-to-understand guide to the technical information coming from the National Hurricane Center, and critical practical information, Hurricane Almanac is your essential guide to coping with Mother Nature's greatest storms.

A provocative chapter entitled: How I'd Do It Better details Norcross's ideas for a better hurricane system.

-Family Communications
-Evacuation Decision-making
-Staying in a House
-Staying in an Apartment
-Shutters
-Hurricane-proof Windows
-Backup Power
-Generators
-Computer Hurricane Plan
-Post-storm Air-Conditioning
-Candles
-Pool Preparation
-Pets, Boats, Cars, and Businesses
-Insurance