The Hurricane Hunter Arrives in Puerto Rico

Hurricane Hunter Aircraft in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. FEMA/ Yuisa Ríos

After two years of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the return of the Hurricane Hunter aircraft to Puerto Rico on April 21, 2022, reminds us to start preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. This time, among the Hurricane Hunter crew was Lt. Amaryllis Cotto Pérez, the first Puerto Rican to be an Air Reconnaissance Weather Officer (ARWO) in the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. On her first trip to Puerto Rico as ARWO, Lt. Cotto Pérez explained to all present what her mission is as part of the Hurricane Hunter science team. The meteorologist analyzes all the information gathered by the probes that are launched from the plane at different points of the cyclone. Then, she sends all the information to the National Hurricane Center to complement the forecasts of the trajectory and intensity of the systems. All the information gathered on each of the flights improves the forecasts of trajectory and intensity by 20 to 30 percent. This information is vital for governments to make their preparedness, safety, and evacuation plans, and for individuals and communities to activate their individual and family plans for a potential catastrophic event. Her background at the National Weather Service in San Juan has helped her in her performance in each of the Hurricane Hunter missions. For Lt. Cotto Pérez, each mission is essential and personal because she knows that she is helping her archipelago and its people to protect themselves and be better prepared for the future.

Lt. Amaryllis Cotto Pérez (Air Reconnaissance Meteorological Officer) offering her orientation about her mission and the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft to Nino Correa (Commissioner of the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau [PREMB]), and Orlando Olivera (Coordinator of the FEMA Puerto Rico Caribbean Area Office). FEMA/ Yuisa Ríos

Lt. Amaryllis Cotto Pérez (Air Reconnaissance Meteorological Officer) offering an orientation about her mission and the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft. FEMA/ Yuisa Ríos

Ernesto Morales (National Weather Service in San Juan), Nino Correa (Commissioner of the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Bureau [PREMB]), Orlando Olivera (Coordinator of the FEMA Puerto Rico Caribbean Area Office) and other governmental leadership participated in the visit of the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft and crew. FEMA/Yuisa Ríos