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More hurricanes than normal this season

CAMP SPRINGS, Md., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Hurricane specialists say the 2003 season produced an above-average number of 14 tropical storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Of the major storms, Isabel became one of the strongest on record, with sustained winds of 165 mph and causing record flooding in the upper Chesapeake Bay area. Its tropical storm conditions extended from North Carolina to Long Island, N.Y.

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Hurricane Claudette struck Texas near Matagorda Island; Juan became the worst hurricane to hit Halifax, Nova Scotia, in modern history, and Fabian was the most destructive storm to hit Bermuda in more than 75 years.

The period 1995-2003 has been the most active for hurricanes in history, scientists said Monday. Since 1995, seven of nine seasons have been above-normal. The exceptions were the El Niño years of 1997 and 2002.

"We are concerned that this increased activity will continue in the coming years," said Jim Laver, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center.

The 2003 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on Nov. 30.

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