Research funds elusive
Major hurricanes, although relatively rare, cause 80 percent of hurricane damage. But forecasters cannot predict which storm will become the monster. Many scientists say forecasts will improve when mathematical model computer programs are better.
But money for that effort has been hard to find. Some scientists say that more research funding will be forthcoming only when the country suffers a massive catastrophe. "Then money will be thrown at the problem," said Bill Gray, a professor at Colorado State University's Department of Atmospheric Sciences. 
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