In the center of the storm

What will this year be like for the new head of the National Hurricane Center?

By CURTIS KRUEGER, Times Staff Writer
Published January 28, 2008

Bill Read, 58, with 30 years of experience as a forecaster, is the new head of the National Hurricane Center.
	[AP photo]

During the past year, the National Hurricane Center has faced storms from within and without. Director Bill Proenza was replaced in July after he complained repeatedly about the inadequacy of an aging weather satellite and other equipment. His comments not only irritated his bosses, but also upset some of his staff, many of whom felt his comments went too far.

Veteran forecaster Bill Read was appointed Friday to replace Proenza, and spoke to the Times about the job ahead.

What do you need the most?

What I really would like to have is somebody crack the code on what causes rapid changes in intensity (of hurricanes). That would be the No. 1.

Do you feel that you are taking over an agency whose credibility was damaged somewhat because of the controversy of the past year?

Well, I'm sure there's people out there that on the surface would say, 'If there's that much turmoil, then how can they do their job?' But ... I don't think people should be concerned. ... It's internal, we'll work on it internally and a year from now I think we'll be in much better shape.

About that aging satellite that isn't being replaced, is this leaving you deficient?

Not in the sense that there would be a threat to our ability to provide warnings for savings of life and property, not in my opinion.

If it ever became necessary for you to say "Hey, our equipment is not up to the job," even if it was politically unpopular to do so, would you?

(Pauses.) I can't see a situation where I would need to do that. My method of operation is that we have a job to do, which is warnings and forecasts, and we will do that with whatever tools are available or not. ... Yes, I'd like more equipment, and yes, I'd like it to always work. But the reality of the world is equipment sometimes breaks and you don't always have everything that you need, but you still have a job to do.

Do you have a worst hurricane moment?

When I saw on TV the water pouring through the levees in New Orleans, that was just so disheartening, just knowing that all those peoples' lives were being (lost).

Are you nervous to be living in Florida now?

Oh, no, I actually live in a coastal community in Texas. It's the same thing.

New studies were released about whether global warming is increasing or decreasing hurricane frequency. Do you think there's a connection?

I think the jury's going to be out on that for quite some time just because of what you've seen. ... It's obviously inconclusive as you're getting answers a little bit in both directions. So I don't think we're there yet on a definitive answer.

[Last modified January 27, 2008, 23:40:53]