HALIFAX, N.S. – Canadian forecasters say the early emergence of a tropical storm this year does not mean Eastern Canada should brace for a particularly active hurricane season.
 
The season got off to an early start last weekend when tropical storm Alberto formed off South Carolina’s coast.

But Steve Mills of Nova Scotia’s Emergency Management Office says people shouldn’t become complacent.

He says hurricane Andrew devastated parts of southern Florida and Louisiana
when it hit in 1992 during what was expected to be a light storm season.
    
“The point is obvious; it only takes one Andrew, just as in Nova Scotia in 2003, it only took one Juan. There is nothing wrong with being overly prepared. But in our business, the opposite approach could be disastrous.”

Hurricane Juan roared over the Halifax area and through Prince Edward Island in September 2003, causing 100-million dollars in damage. It was blamed for at least eight deaths.