Residents along the Gulf coast took a big sigh of relief as Tropical Storm Arlene, the first named storm of the hurricane season, blew ashore bringing rain, wind and a few spoiled weekend plans, but not much else.

On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning for sections of Florida along the Gulf Coast as the storm approached. Fortunately, by Saturday evening, Arlene remained a tropical storm, dumping up to six inches of rain from Florida to Mississippi. Winds reached a sustained speed of 50 mph, the National Weather Service said.

There were some reports of minor flooding and power outages, but the storm did not materialize into a feared hurricane. Some Floridians still have not recovered from last year's unprecedented season when four hurricanes crossed the state, the roofs of their homes still covered with tarps.

In the aftermath of Arlene, one insurer, 21st Century Holding Company in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., said that Arlene produced only minor damage.

"Tropical Storm Arlene did very little structural damage and the amount of claims reporting will not alter the company's record yearly guidance," said Edward J. "Ted" Lawson president and chairman of the board in a statement. The company provides personal lines insurance, including mobile home insurance, general liability, and flood insurance in the state.

However, the first named storm of the year should not be viewed as the harbinger of a tranquil storm season. To the contrary, forecasters think this year could prove to be another active one.

In his May update for the hurricane season, William Gray, Philip Klotzbach and the Colorado State University forecast team increased their early season predictions as the June 1 hurricane season began.

The team predicts there could be 15 named storms forming in the Atlantic, with eight becoming hurricanes and four evolving into intense hurricanes, with sustained winds of 111 mph or higher. They added that they believe there is a 77 percent chance of an intense storm hitting the U.S. coastline.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts there is a good chance of an above average hurricane season producing between 12 to 15 tropical storms; seven to nine of which would turn into hurricanes; and three to five becoming major hurricanes.

Special Reports /

Arlene: Wind, Rain & Not Much Else

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