by Renee Israel
The Atlantic area has been hit by the first hurricane of the season, and UK betting sites are offering players the chance to predict the outcome of the season.
Hurricane Alex swept onto the scene last week, causing extensive damage in the process and leaving a number of people dead.
The hurricane hampered oil cleanup efforts from the disastrous BP spill, washing away or damaging boom with high waves.
Oil skimmers could not pick up any oil in areas off Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday, compared to the 333,000 gallons picked up the day before.
On a calm day, skimmers have the potential to skim 500,000 gallons of oily water a day and burn off another 336,000 gallons.
Other damage caused by Hurricane Alex included tar balls found on Florida beaches after high turf was pushed up on the shore.
Hurricane Alex was listed as a Category II storm by the National Hurricane Centre, and it remains to be seen what other hurricanes have in store for the Atlantic region.
In the meantime, UK bookies have opened betting markets on the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
These include the strongest hurricane out of five categories, the name of the last hurricane and the strongest hurricane.
The number of hurricane recorded during the season according to the National Hurricane Center listed as follows:
One 100/1
Two 25/1
Three 20/1
Four 12/1
Five 8/1
Six 6/1
Seven 4/1
Eight 7/2
Nine 10/3
Ten or More 2/1
