Weather tracking planes land in Galveston for 2016 NOAA Hurricane Awareness Tour

GALVESTON, Texas – The federal government wants to remind everyone about hurricane season, which is why the National Weather Service is touring its "Hurricane Hunter."

The 2016 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Awareness Tour visited Scholes International Airport in Galveston Tuesday and showcased two different "Hurricane Hunter" planes.

NOAA hurricane experts, scientists and crew members, traveling aboard a U.S. Air Force Reserve WC-130J "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft and the NOAA G-IV aircraft, answered the public's questions and brought numerous static displays including USCG and DPS helicopters and boats and vehicles from City of Galveston Marine Rescue Unit along the tour.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.

Lt. Commander Jason Mansour is aircraft commander for NOAA's G-4 "Hurricane Hunter" — a position he's proudly held since 2012. 

"My mother thinks I'm absolutely insane," Mansour said.

His team operates at 25,000 feet high and navigates the craft as speeds around 7 miles per minute. He said the crew specializes in high altitude flight.

"The NOAA G-4 is like a cheetah," Mansour said. "It lean and sleek."

The "Hurricane Hunter" studies severe weather not by going through storms, but by going around the storm and sometimes above.

Mansour described the Air Force's larger "Hurricane Hunters" as rhinoceros.

"The Air Force Reserve C-130's, their job is to go right through the hurricane eyewall at or below 10,000 feet," Mansour said. 

For the last few years, the NOAA has been using drones, or unmanned aircraft systems to help forecast hurricanes, flying as low as 1,000 feet.

"It free falls from the aircraft as it releases from the air. It wakes up. It powers on (the) electrical motor,  spreads its wings and it flies," said Mansour.

Since Hurricane Katrina, predicting a hurricane's path and intensity has improved up to 40 percent thanks to technological accuracy.

Despite these advances, the message of the hurricane preparedness tour was being prepared.

"I'm confident, unfortunately to say, next time we have a hurricane affecting southeast Texas," Director Rick Knabb of the National Hurricane Center said. "We're going to flood in places that we did not flood In (Hurricane) Ike or (Tropical Storm) Allison, so you have to treat the next storm or hurricane with as much respect as you would any hurricane or storm. And not to use the past events as a way to convince yourself that you're not at risk."

If you're overwhelmed by the idea of getting ready for the hurricane season, are new to the Houston area or are just unsure where to start, Knabb suggests starting with the evacuation question.

"If you know where you're going to be during the storm and you know what you're vulnerable to then it's a lot easier to move on to like updating your insurance shopping for supplies and strengthening your home," Knabb said.

You should also look at your insurance — particularly flood insurance, and as soon as possible. Once you sign on, there's still a 30-day lag before the coverage goes into effect.

All in all, Knabb said don't be intimidated by hurricane season.

"Don't let the hurricanes push you around," said Knabb "We're going to be hurricane strong and take steps to get ready."