Hurricane Center Director Honored

Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet praised retiring National Hurricane Center director Max Mayfield today.

Mayfield had a 34-year career as a weather forecaster.

He has directed the center in Miami for the last seven years, was on hand at the Florida Capitol to receive a Cabinet resolution honoring him.

The governor said Mayfield has been instrumental in teaching people to be prepared.

Mayfield's tenure included the costliest storm in the nation's history, Hurricane Katrina that last year devastated New Orleans and coastal Mississippi. He also oversaw forecasts for four hurricanes that struck Florida in 2004, a one-year record for the state, and three in 2005.

Emergency management director Craig Fugate said Mayfield did whatever it took to warn of impending disaster, including calls to mayors and governors.