A new study finds that the strongest hurricanes and typhoons have become even stronger over the past 21/2 decades, adding grist to the contentious debate over whether global warming has made storms more destructive. ...more

September 4, 2008

Edgar Stokes, chairman of the Highlands County commissioners, kicked off the county's investigation into spraying pesticides, by both airplanes and trucks, to battle the expected hordes of mosquitoes that will probably descend on the county in the wake of Fay and the three new tropical storms headed toward or near the Florida peninsula. ...more

September 3, 2008

Normally, all eyes would be on Tropical Storm Hanna, which will likely sideswipe Highlands County with moderate winds and 2 to 4 inches of rain. However, tropical storms Ike and Josephine are right behind her. ...more

September 3, 2008

There are some scary facts about the interaction of hurricanes and the mosquito population. ...more

September 3, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist said during a news conference this morning that he more or less has decided to scrap plans to attend the Republican Party's national convention this week in Minneapolis. ...more

September 2, 2008

As Tropical Storm Gustav spun toward the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, insurance companies were ready to send adjusters and appraisers to assess damage from the storm if it does make landfall in the United States. They were also prepared financially, having made changes in their coverage in the three years since Hurricane Katrina. ...more

August 29, 2008

By the weekend, Florida could be bracketed by hurricanes as one churns through the Gulf of Mexico and another meanders in the Atlantic Ocean. ...more

August 28, 2008

Well. That sure was a whole lot of nothing. As looming emergencies go, Pasco has more to worry about come Tuesday's primary election day than it ever did from Tropical Storm Fay. ...more

August 20, 2008

Linda Markel awoke at 1 this morning and sat in her screened porch as Tropical Storm Fay approached. She listened to radio reports about the storm and smoked a few cigarettes as the winds whipped the nearby palm trees. The rain fell for hours and began to flood her parking lot. ...more

August 19, 2008

Tropical Storm Dolly could be the year's first hurricane to strike the United States as the strengthening storm emerges into the welcoming environment of the Gulf of Mexico. ...more

July 21, 2008