6 out 71 of the most intense hurricanes recorded (154 yrs) were in 2004-5

[NNadir]

Here is some interesting data from the National Hurricane Center, which lists the 68 most intense hurricanes (by pressure) since 1851:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastint.shtml

2005 hurricanes are not included yet, but Katrina (906 mb) will apparently be #2 of all time. Also making the list will be Dennis (928 mb) and Emily (also 928 mb).

Jeanne, Ivan, and Charley, last year's hurricanes that struck the land of Jeb all made the list.

The rate of formation of storms with pressures less than 955 mb is thus about 8 times larger than would be expected in a two year period.

Without definitive proof, I think this is telling.

[meow mix]

1. to build or not to build..

maybe its not our decision to make anymore unless we like repeated destrucions.

[bemildred]

2. It's a fluke, it means nothing. Really. Everything is fine. Great.

:-)

[NNadir]

3. Rita just passed Katrina for #2 on this scale.

"Hurricane Rita's rapid intensification cycle that began Tuesday afternoon continues. Top winds are up to 165 mph, now a category 5 hurricane. Rita's pressure has dramatically dropped to 904 millibars! Even as a large and extremely intense category 5 hurricane, further strengthening is possible as the atmosphere remains favorable for development over the next 24 hours..."

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/?from=wxcenter_news

[NNadir]

4. That means 3 of the top 10 occurred in 2005.

Rita, Katrina, and Dennis.

[phantom power]

5. According to this accounting, Rita is #5

(not that it alters your basic point in any way)

...RITA BECOMES THE FIFTH MOST INTENSE HURRICANE ON RECORD...

DROPSONDE DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT AT 416 PM CDT...2116Z...INDICATED THE CENTRAL PRESSURE HAS
FALLEN TO 904 MB...OR 26.69 INCHES. THIS MAKES RITA THE FIFTH MOST
INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF PRESSURE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN.

RITA CURRENTLY RANKS BEHIND HURRICANE GILBERT IN 1988 WITH 888
MB...THE 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE WITH 892 MB...HURRICANE ALLEN IN
1980 WITH 899 MB...AND HURRICANE KATRINA LAST MONTH WITH 902 MB.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4842318

[NNadir]

6. Ah, my original link is for "mainland US hurricanes." I didn't catch that

Thanx.

Whatever, though, it's an unbelievable storm, demonstrating unambiguously, IMO, that the climate is incredibly screwed up.

Charley, Ivan, Frances, Dennis, Katrina, and now Rita.

I am very sorry for the people in the way, but I hope it takes the "ranch" of that piece of shit from Crawford and heaves it at the moon.