nice article about life at the NHC these days

[HurricaneJoe22]

I'm only posting the whole story rather than a link because you have to be registered to view articles on the Miami Herald web site.


Posted on Sat, Sep. 11, 2004
Storm's trackers grapple with fatigue

Handling three major storms in a row has meant long hours and anxious moments for experts at the National Hurricane Center.

BY DAVID OVALLE AND MARTIN MERZER

mmerzer@herald.com


President Bush was coming any minute now, and hurricane forecaster Jack Beven sat staring at a computer screen 15 feet away, his chin resting in his hands.

''Are you nervous?'' someone asked. ``You look nervous.''

''Yes, I'm nervous,'' Beven said Wednesday. ``But not about the president. I'm nervous about that thing.''

Pictured on-screen was his adversary, Hurricane Ivan, already a killer storm, growing stronger and headed for Jamaica, Cuba and then Florida.

That meant that Beven, about to take the forecasting helm that day, and his colleagues at the National Hurricane Center must pull double duty again. They had to worry about their homes and families -- and try to outthink an enormous, deadly force of nature.

If they get it right, everyone expects it. If they get it wrong, people could die. It's a heavy burden for this low-profile group of scientists, especially this year.

''These people are professional at what they do -- this is when it counts,'' said Max Mayfield, the center's director. ``They know people's lives are at stake.''

Since the current onslaught -- three mammoth storms in one month -- the six lead hurricane forecasters and more than a dozen other key staffers have approached their jobs with remarkable aplomb and, lately, quite a bit of fatigue.

''It's hard work working a storm, any storm,'' said John Pavone, who coordinates hurricane hunter flights that gather vital weather data for forecasters. ```But when it's coming at you . . ..''

They work in a quiet corner of the Florida International University campus in West Miami-Dade County, a pillbox-like building that looks like it should sit atop a beach awaiting invasion.

HURRICANE CENTRAL

What a popular place it has become. Politicians, most recently the President of the United States, drop by to offer praise and engage in photo-ops. Media requests come from as far away as Hong Kong and the Czech Republic.

''My last day off was August 8 from what my wife tells me,'' Mayfield said, easing into his chair, trying hard to catch up on office minutiae.

He squinted at his computer screen and said: ``I just left -- how can I have 20 e-mails in five minutes?''

Mayfield and his deputy, Ed Rappaport, conducted about 500 television interviews during Hurricane Frances and nearly as many for Charley.

Sometimes their eyes glazed and their shoulders slumped from constantly explaining hurricane dynamics, uncertainties, preparations.

For them, as for the rest of us, it is a troubling time. But for them, it also is an exciting, intellectually stimulating time.

''This is a spectacular-looking hurricane,'' Mayfield said of Ivan. ``A hurricane is the greatest storm. You have to be awed by something like this. But I like to see them far out in the Atlantic -- away from land.''

Draining, yes. Complaints, never.

''It's difficult, but we train for this,'' said forecaster Lixion Avila, who has not enjoyed a day off in three weeks and sometimes survives, reluctantly, on fast food.

PERSONAL CONCERNS

During Frances, he slept on his office floor because the power in his house went out. Comfort means little, especially now. Ivan is headed toward Havana, where his mother lives.

''I'll probably call her tonight,'' he said Friday.

Still, small pockets of refuge exist. Avila is taking off today and Sunday for a long-awaited ballet festival in Miami Beach.

Meteorologist Michelle Mainelli left work early Thursday to celebrate her 34th birthday with her 5-year-old daughter at their favorite Chinese restaurant. Even that was a tough call.

''I've wanted to work here since I was 8 years old,'' she said. ``I'm so, so proud to be part of this team.''

In the main operations room, soft-spoken forecaster James Franklin smiles when he sees his printed work schedule: ``UM football night.''

The only hurricanes he will see Friday night will be playing football against Florida State.

''My prediction for the game is the same as for the hurricane,'' Franklin said jokingly. ``Wide left.''

[Hyperstorm]

This is a very interesting article. Thanks for posting it.

So, anyone still want to work for the NHC?.....

[OtherHD]

So, anyone still want to work for the NHC?.....

Yes.

[Brent]

So, anyone still want to work for the NHC?.....

It's only like that for a month or two a year that your REALLY busy. What do these guys do in the winter and spring?