Six hurricanes predicted

Forecasters at Colorado State University are predicting that six hurricanes are likely to hit the Caribbean region in the coming Atlantic hurricane season which starts in June.



The group has lowered its estimates for the upcoming storm season, and if the predictions are accurate, 2009 could be much calmer than last year.



2008 was one of the most active seasons on record, with 16 tropical storms, including eight, which became hurricanes.



Hurricanes Bertha, Gustav, Ike, Omar and Paloma were intense 2008 storms causing serious damage in the United States and the Caribbean.