The tropical Atlantic has become very quiet over the past few days.  Hurricane Ike was the last storm in the burst of storms we've seen over the past few weeks.  Josephine actually followed Ike but weakened as she move westward.  The number of named storms for the year has reached 10, which is the average number we usually see each year.  We are just one week past the midway point so it stands to reason that we'll see at least a few more storms. 

We've been fortunate across Eastern North Carolina so far this season.  The most significant storm was Tropical Storm Hanna that hit the area less than two weeks ago.  We got buffeted by 50 to 60 mph winds but it could have been much worse.  The track of the storm went inland and would have caused considerable flooding and wind damage if she had reached category 2 or 3 status.  Let's hope the remainder of the season will remain kind for us.