News Bytes
October/November 1998
"Everyone seems to have a hurricane story," Barnes says. When he gives a
slide presentation on hurricanes, audience members often approach him afterwards with stories of their own encounters with the big storms. According to Barnes, many people have vivid memories of storms from the 1950s and 1960s, and they remember where they were when Hazel or Ione or Donna struck. And in future years, he says, people will be saying, "I remember Fran."
Barnes was surprised, as he researched his hurricane awareness programs, that no one had ever written a book on North Carolina's stormy past. So he embarked on a research project that culminated in the 1995 publication of North Carolina's Hurricane
History.
The storms of 1996, particularly Bertha and Fran, made revisions necessary, and the new edition appears in June 1998. And at the same time, Barnes was working on Florida's Hurricane History, which will be published in fall 1998.
Because of his books, Barnes has become a popular speaker and interviewee on the subject of hurricanes. While meteorologists can discuss the weather conditions and predictions, Barnes reminds us of the devastation these storms have caused in the past.
By understanding hurricane history, he says, we can better prepare for the next major hurricane.
For much, much more information about Barnes and his work--including a test of your hurricane knowledge--check out the website devoted to these books.
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