ILTA Touts Terminal Industry Preparations Ahead of Hurricane Season

The International Liquid Terminal Association issued a press release May 21, touting its members’ preparations ahead of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center on May 20 predicted another very active hurricane season but said its experts do not expect the historical level of storm activity of 2020.

The Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, forecasted a 60% chance of a more active than normal Atlantic hurricane season in 2021, a 30%t chance of a near-normal season and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. The center predicted a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which six to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including three to five major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher). It’s important to note that NOAA, in April, announced it would use new, higher numbers for an “average” season as part of a once-a-decade realignment. The NOAA’s definition of “average” has increased because it’s now using a 30-year period of record from 1991 to 2020. The previous 30-year period used storms from 1981 to 2010. 14 named storms and seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5).

ILTA noted that its members work with federal, state and local first responders and government officials to promote safety before and restore normal operations following a storm. Because no two storms are alike, ILTA members routinely participate in exercises and training to prepare and respond to natural disasters. It is industry practice to prepare for a storm in stages at 96 hours, 72 hours and 48 hours prior to hurricane impact to ensure that terminals are safe and secured. Post-storm checklists help assess potential damage, alert local, state and federal authorities of damage and resume operations—or help find service alternatives.