Scientists puzzle over of hurricane surge

MIAMI, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists are trying to figure out what caused the 10-year-old surge in hurricanes in the Atlantic and Caribbean.

This year was particular rough with four hurricanes hitting Florida, but the change dates back to 1994 when there were only three hurricanes and no major storms, the Tampa Tribune said Monday.

The next year there were a dozen hurricanes including five major storms, a trend that continued this year.

"You might expect a gradual transition, but it looks like it made a quick jump, said Chris Landsea, a scientist with the National Hurricne Research Division in Miami.

From 1970 to 1994 there were 123 hurricanes and only 38 major storms. The nine years from 1995 through 2003 produced 69 hurricanes with 32 reaching major-storm status.

"This could keep going for 15, 20 or 30 years," Landsea said.

But Max Mayfield, director or the National Hurricane Center, said it is not time for Floridians to panic about the future.

"To think Florida is going to continue to be hit by four hurricanes a year is unlikely," Mayfield said.