Thank low-pressure system for no U.S. hurricanes — so far

MIAMI — This was supposed to be another brutal hurricane season. But so far, the United States has been spared, and forecasters say one big reason is a low-pressure system off the East Coast that has been a shield against which storms bounce off.

Still, forecasters warn there are two months left in the season, and September and October are typically among the busiest months.

Two main factors have contributed to the coastline calm: A high-pressure system in the Atlantic known as the Bermuda High was centered close to Bermuda last year but now is positioned hundreds of miles to the east.

That, in turn, has made room for a low-pressure system to develop in the Atlantic between the Carolinas and Bermuda.

"Instead of high pressure pushing hurricanes toward the United States, there has been low pressure that repels hurricanes," said Lixion Avila, a forecaster at the National Hurricane Center.

Unlike a high-pressure system's clockwise swirling, the low pressure circulates counterclockwise and is associated with winds that help push storms to the north and northeast. It has been in place since late August and played a role in keeping Hurricanes Florence, Gordon and Helene away from American shores.

Beyond that, though, Pennsylvania State University meteorologist Paul Knight said the season has simply not been as frenzied as last year. And fewer Atlantic storms mean fewer chances one will strike the United States.

Last year was the busiest Atlantic season on record, with 28 named storms, 17 of which had formed by this point. Two hurricanes — Dennis and Katrina — had struck by this time last year, and Rita hit Sept. 24.

This year, forecasters originally estimated up to 16 named storms and later trimmed their projection by one. There have been eight named storms so far. Tropical Storms Alberto and Ernesto hit Florida this year but did little damage.

Federal scientists have said that weak El Niño conditions this year have also inhibited hurricane development by increasing crosswinds over the Caribbean. The winds can rip storms apart or stop them from forming.

Still, forecasters warned that the Bermuda High could move closer to shore, or the low-pressure system could weaken before the end of the season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

"Don't be fooled by anybody that they know what's going to happen in two weeks," Avila said.

"We don't know if this pattern is going to go or stay."

Charges in deaths

at nursing home

CHALMETTE, La. — The husband and wife owners of a nursing home near New Orleans were indicted Wednesday on charges of negligent homicide and cruelty in the deaths of 35 patients who perished in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Salvador and Mabel Mangano were initially arrested about two weeks after the Aug. 29, 2005, storm, but a grand jury was unable to convene for months because of damage to government buildings and the displacement of residents.

The couple, who remained free on bond Wednesday, owned St. Rita's nursing home in St. Bernard Parish, a coastal suburb of New Orleans badly flooded by Katrina.

Attorneys in the case were prevented from commenting by a gag order.

The indictment for cruelty alleges the couple "intentionally or through criminal negligence" mistreated or neglected 64 patients.

It is believed to cover both patients who died and those who survived.

More than 30 lawsuits have been filed against the couple by patients injured at the nursing home and the families of people who died there.

In a lawsuit filed last month, the couple sued the government, saying federal, state and local officials failed to keep residents safe and evacuate vulnerable citizens as the storm approached.