Usually, by the time hay bales become standard décor, corn fields turn into mazes, and every other billboard displays an ad for a haunted house – we can count on the Atlantic hurricane season to begin winding down. But there hasn’t been much that has been “usual” about this year (not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic too)!

An Active, Above Average Hurricane Season

Even before the hurricane season began, experts were predicting an active hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service predicted a 60% chance of an above-normal hurricane season. An average hurricane season typically produces around 12 named storms. And an above average season is predicted to produce 13-19 named storms, 6-10 of which become hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5 storms).

A Record Breaking Hurricane Season in 2020

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has blown past predictions – making it one of the most active hurricane seasons in recent history (since the current high-activity era began in 1995).

On Tuesday, September 22, 2020 – summer officially ended, and the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season broke its biggest record yet. This year (2020) had the highest number of named storms (23) ever recorded in a season through the end of summer. That’s 6 more than the previous record of 17 named storms in 2005. It’s also only the second time in history (2005 was the first time) the National Hurricane Center (NHC) ran out of names and had to resort to using Greek letters to continue to name storms.

More records broken this (2020) hurricane season include:

The first record of the 2020 hurricane season was broken on June 2, 2020 when Tropical Storm Cristobal developed, making Cristobal the earliest forming “C” named storm of any season. This was 3 days earlier than the previous record on file, held by Tropical Storm Colin (2016).
And, more named storms, designated by specific alphabet “letters” have formed earlier this year than ever before. By the end of summer, 23 storms had already been named, with 20 of those storms now having the earliest formation date on record for their specific storm “letter”. Arthur, Bertha and Dolly are the exceptions.
Plus, September is the season’s busiest month. September 2020 saw 10 named storms, a new record for the most named storms formed during a single month. The previous record was 8 storms which occurred in 2002, 2007, and 2010.

The 2020 hurricane season has tied a couple records too. Including:

A long-standing record – the record for the most named storms to form in a single day. An exceedingly rare occurrence, this has only happened twice since the hurricane center began keeping reliable records in 1851. The first documented occurrence was on August 15, 1893. Three generically named storms, numbered as 4, 5, and 6 all formed on the very same day. Then, it happened again recently, on September 18, 2020. Tropical Storm Wilfred, Subtropical Storm Alpha and Tropical Storm Beta all formed on the same day tying the record for the most.
When Tropical Storm Beta made landfall on September 22, 2020 as the 9th named storm to make landfall in the contiguous United States in one season, it tied the previous 1916 Atlantic hurricane season record. But there is still plenty of time left; the 2020 hurricane season could likely end up overtaking this record too.

Florida Seawall Inspection and Seawall Repair Services

Tampa area residents and the communities along Florida’s west coast have been truly fortunate this hurricane season. Most storms have been heading up the eastern seaboard, and those entering the Gulf of Mexico have been making landfall farther west.

But just because your seawall hasn’t suffered a direct hit from a hurricane or heavy tropical storms this year, doesn’t mean you can forgo the annual seawall inspection and/or repair process. With such an active hurricane season, there may still be damage; it just may be less obvious to the naked eye. Our Florida Certified Contractors at Gibson Marine Construction offer seawall construction, inspection, and repair services. Let our trusted team of marine construction experts help keep your seawall safe and functioning properly. Call or complete the contact form to learn more.

Owning a boat is a wonderful thing. You get to enjoy the freedom and beauty of the open sea, but it comes with costs back at home. Every time you bring your boat back home after cruising up and down the Gulf Coast or along Florida’s inland waterways, you are tying it up to your dock. With thousands invested in your boat, don’t you want to know you are tying it up to a dock worthy of securing your boat? Your boat dock, like everything else that comes in contact with Florida’s waters, is going to require maintenance and upkeep from time to time. Keep an eye out for these four signs your dock might need a facelift.

Warped or Cracked Supports

Depending upon the type of materials used in the construction of your boat dock, you may need to watch out for warped or cracked supports. Currents and waves can cause the structure to warp or bend over time due to sustained pressure, and sometimes that constant pressure can even lead to a crack or break in the supports. Other factors such as an accidental collision between your boat and dock can lead to warping and cracking.

The type of support damaged makes a difference too. Smaller supports can often be replaced individually or repaired without significant cost. A load-bearing support should be addressed right away so you don’t risk injury should the dock collapse.

Wood Rot

Although many homeowners transition to synthetic materials in their docking, there are still those with wooden docks. The most common source of rot is fungus from the water that seeps in and causes dry rot, a condition in which the wood decays and crumbles. If it is confined to one area of your dock, it is possible to replace the individual boards with new treated lumber. If the wood rot is out of control, it is best to consult the marine construction specialists at Gibson Marine to determine the cost of replacement and learn about the benefits of different docking materials.

Foundation Damage Under the Waterline

Most residents along Florida’s Gulf Coast have docks that are permanently installed on pillars and underwater foundational supports. These docks offer convenience to you as a homeowner because you have a long-term, stable foundation that allows you to focus on the surface of your dock. However, you still need to be wary of any cracks in your foundational supports. They should be addressed immediately.

Rusted Platforms and Supports

If your boat dock has metal components in the platform or supports, the corrosive saltwater along the coast is going to eat away at the metal over time. Small rust spots can often be repaired or replaced with ease, but if rust is prevalent, it’s time to consider replacing your entire structure in the interest of safety.

Your boat dock might seem like a utilitarian place to load and unload your friends and family from the boat, and tie your boat up when it’s not in use, but it’s an important structure. Not only does it keep your boat on your property, it holds your valuable cargo (family and friends) when they are preparing for a boat ride. Ensure you keep a structurally-sound dock by watching out for these dangerous signs of decay and damage.

If you are concerned about the condition of your dock, feel free to contact us for a professional assessment and quote for any repairs that may be needed!

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season

An Active, Above Average Hurricane Season

A Record Breaking Hurricane Season in 2020

Florida Seawall Inspection and Seawall Repair Services

Four Signs Your Boat Dock Needs a Little TLC