NBC10's Randy Gyllenhaal is live in North Wildwood, New Jersey where the rough waters caused by Hurricane Jose have put the beach underwater.

Not since 2005 has the United States been affected by so many hurricanes and tropical storms. As of Sept. 2, we are at the peak or mid-way point of Atlantic hurricane season and there have been 13 named storms.

Only 4 other seasons in the past 22 years have produced that many named storms by mid-September.

For this 2017 to make the top 15 list of busiest Atlantic hurricane years we would need two more named storms by the end of the season on Nov. 30 and it is very likely we will surpass that mark.

There have been busier Atlantic hurricane seasons since 2005, but not for the United States.

Below is a list of the top 15 busiest Atlantic hurricane seasons (1851-present). Ten of the busiest seasons have been in the past 17 years.

1) 2005 - 28 storms

2) 1933 – 20 storms

3) 2012 – 19 storms

4) 2011 – 19 storms

5) 2010 – 19 storms

6) 1995 – 19 storms

7) 1987 – 19 storms

8) 1969 – 18 storms

9) 2008 – 16 storms

10) 2003 -16 storms,

11) 1936 – 16 storms

12) 2007 – 15 storms

13) 2004 – 15 storms

14) 2001 – 15 storms

15) 2000 – 15 storms

So, what is causing this busy season?

1. Warm Water in the Atlantic and Less Wind Sheer

The main reason for so much activity this year can in part be attributed to the Atlantic Multi-Decadal Oscillation (AMO). The warm phase of the AMO leads to a lack of vertical wind shear in the atmosphere combined with very warm sea surface temperatures and a more active West African monsoon season, all resulting in frequent storm development and rapid intensification over the Atlantic basin.

We have been in the warm phase since 1995. A prolonged cold phase with lower activity was in place between 1971-1994.

2. Possible La Nina

Increased activity this season may be also be due to the recent cooling in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean waters indicating a possible La Nina weather pattern is building for the winter ahead.

La Nina years favor more hurricanes and tropical storms in the tropical Atlantic basin with less activity in the tropical Pacific basin. La Nina is the positive phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

During this phase the equatorial waters in the central and eastern tropical pacific are much cooler than average, leading to more stable atmospheric conditions and less tropical activity over the Pacific basin and less stable conditions over the Atlantic basin with higher tropical activity.

The opposite is true in El Nino years with warmer water piling up along the central and eastern side of the Pacific basin leading to unstable conditions over the Pacific with higher tropical activity and more stable conditions over the Atlantic basin.

3. Steering Winds

Finally, the atmospheric steering mechanisms have also played a part in storm tracks. There is an area of dominant sub-tropical high pressure known as the “Bermuda High” located over the Atlantic Ocean. Winds turn clockwise around this high and steer the tropical systems west toward the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and the east coast of the United States.

In the case of Irma the western edge of this high pressure was closer to the U.S. east coast forcing a northern turn over Florida.

In Maria’s case the sub-tropical high is father east over the Atlantic and Maria’s northward turn should be farther east than Irma’s was.

Hurricane Harvey was blocked from moving with no dominant steering mechanism for more than a week. The result was constant rain that resulted in historic flooding.

Jose has twice been stuck circling in place with no strong steering mechanism. However, in Jose’s case the constant heavy rain has remained offshore and not over the east coast.

What’s Unusual About 2017?

Double Landfall on Northern Leeward Islands

Another distinction this year revolves around the northern Leeward Islands, which received a catastrophic hit from two major hurricanes, Irma and Maria. These islands had not experienced two major hurricanes in the same season since 1899 (118 years ago).

Rare April Hurricane

Also unusual was the first storm of 2017. Arlene was a rare off-season tropical storm in mid-April.

Record-Breaking Hurricane Irma

This season has also produced the strongest hurricane on record for the Atlantic Basin, Irma (Excluding the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico) and two of the top 20 most intense storms in recorded history, Irma and Maria.

Intensity is correlated with the lowest central pressure of a hurricane. The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm with higher wind speeds and 9 of the most intense storms have been in the past 20 years.

Most intense Atlantic Hurricanes on record

1) Wilma (2005) 882mb – 185 mph

2) Gilbert (1988) 888mb – 185 mph

3) Labor Day (1935) 892mb – 185 mph

4) Rita (2005) 895mb – 180 mph

5) Allen (1980) 899mb – 190 mph

6) Camille (1969) 900mb – 175 mph

7) Katrina (2005) 902mb – 175 mph

8) Mitch (1998) 905mb – 180 mph

9) Dean (2007) 905mb – 175 mph

10) Maria (2017) 906mb – 175 mph *

11) Hurricane #10 (1924) 910mb – 165 mph

12) Ivan (2004) 910mb – 165 mph

13) Irma (2017) 914mb – 185 mph *

14) Janet (1955) 914mb – 175 mph

15) Isabel (2003) 915mb – 165 mph

16) Cuba (1932) 915mb – 175 mph

17) Opal (1995) 916mb – 150 mph

18) Hugo (1989) 918mb – 160 mph

19) Gloria (1985) 919mb – 145 mph

20) Hattie (1961) 920mb - 160 mph

A Pennsylvania man convicted of pointing a loaded gun at four Bensalem residents who he mistakenly believed stole his motorcycle was sentenced Wednesday to five to ten years in state prison.

On January 26, Iridious Jones, 38, of Bristol Township, told Bristol Township Police that his motorcycle had been stolen from the parking lot of Levittown Trace Apartments, where he lived. The motorcycle had a GPS tracking device installed on it. Jones tracked it down to the 3200 block of Clive Avenue in Bensalem.

Police followed the GPS to where the motorcycle was supposed to be but were unable to find it.

After receiving the news from the police, Jones took matters into his own hands and forced his way into the home of a Bensalem couple who lived on Cline Avenue and demanded to know where his motorcycle was. He then grabbed the homeowner by his neck and repeatedly yelled, “Where is my motorcycle?”

After the homeowner told him he didn't have it, Jones pulled out his loaded semi-automatic handgun—which he was licensed to carry—and pointed it at the man and his girlfriend.

Jones then stole the woman's cellphone and confronted the man's neighbors, once again pointing a gun at them while demanding they give him his motorcycle. He then fled the scene.

Police later found Jones' motorcycle in the area and arrested a suspect. The residents Jones had threatened weren't involved in the theft however.

Jones was also arrested and charged with robbery, burglary and simple assault. He pleaded guilty to the charges on May 31.

During his trial, Jones revealed that he takes mood-stabilizing medications, has been in therapy for bipolar disorder, and has attempted suicide twice.

With the assistance of his attorney, Jones’ family and friends appeared in court and admitted that despite being a hard-working man, Jones experienced episodes of anger. They stated that Jones was sexually abused as a child, removed from school for disruptive behavior, forced to leave the military for both suicidal and homicidal tendencies, lost his job of 10-years, and had been plagued by the successive thefts of two of his motorcycles, which is his only means of transportation.

A judge sentenced Jones to four consecutive 1-to-2 year sentences for simple assault, a consecutive 1-to-2 year sentence for robbery, and 10 years of consecutive probation. Stating that Jones should have gotten himself mental health treatment years ago, the judge subsequently recommended Jones be allowed to serve his sentence in a therapeutic prison community.

Local families are on edge tonight as they watch Puerto Rico being hit hard by Hurricane Maria. Communication with the island has been almost completely wiped out and NBC10's Aaron Baskerville is in Kensington where many are struggling to get in contact with their loved ones.

A Wilmington family is worried about their loved ones in Mexico who have been affected by Tuesday's earthquake that killed at least 230 people. The quake shut down 40% of Mexico's power, making it difficult for families to communicate. NBC10's Tim Furlong has the story.

Excitement is in the air in Allentown, as the Flyers are going to be playing at the town's main attraction, the PPL Center. NBC10's Steven Fisher has the story.

A Bucks County man was sentenced to 30 to 87 years in state prison Wednesday on multiple counts of child rape and related charges for years of housing and sleeping with underage Amish sisters.

Lee Kaplan, 52, of Feasterville, was convicted in June on 17 counts. Last year, police found nine daughters of Daniel and Savilla Stoltzfus inside Kaplan's small house. Savilla Stoltzfus was also living with Kaplan and the girls.

Two other young girls were also in the house. They were fathered by Kaplan, a Cheltenham native, with the oldest of the Stoltzfus daughters. She was 14 when her parents "gifted" the daughters to Kaplan.

In July, Daniel and Savilla Stoltzfus were led away in shackles and handcuffs in front of 30 members of their former Amish community after their sentencing on child endangerment charges before Judge Jeffrey Finley in Doylestown. They have been in prison since June 16, 2016. 

Daniel Stoltzfus, 44, who pleaded no contest, must serve 3½ years before he is eligible for parole, while his 43-year-old wife must serve at least three years. They will get credit for time served.

"It would be higher if I had the ability to do so," Judge Jeffrey Finley said to both parents of his sentences for them. "This goes beyond the aggravated sentencing range."

Finley said he could not comprehend why the Stoltzfus couple decided that giving their nine daughters to Lee Kaplan, of Feasterville, was a good solution to their money troubles.

Daniel Stoltzfus continued to live in Lancaster County during the more than four years while his daughters lived with Kaplan, who fathered two children with the couple’s eldest daughter. She was gifted to him at 14. Savilla Stoltzfus eventually moved in with Kaplan as well.

All told, nine of the Stoltzfus' children and two babies fathered by Kaplan and Savilla Stoltzfus lived in Kaplan's small Cape Cod-style home on Old Street Road.

The case garnered national attention last summer when details of life inside the Kaplan house initially came to light.

In an interview with NBC10 the week of Kaplan's arrest in June 2016, a FedEx delivery man said Kaplan didn't often wear his shirt to answer his front door, and his house "stunk ... like cat piss."

"He doesn't talk much. I tried joking with him, but he'd just stare at you with a blank face," said Brendan Cragg, who's been delivering packages in the neighborhood for the last 10 years. "He'd come to the door with no shirt on, that big beard. I knew he was crazy. It kind of stunk in there, I thought, like cat piss. I thought he was a hoarder."

A tip from a neighbor eventually led police to search Kaplan's house, where they found the girls — and a massive, elaborate miniature train collection in the basement.

That train collection was apparently part of an eBay business Kaplan ran out of his home. A business called "The Brass Caboose" that buys and sells miniature trains has the same address as Kaplan's house on Old Street Road in Feasterville.

"I thought about him all weekend," Cragg said. "I wish looking back I would have said something. But you don't really know what's going on (inside the house). I never saw anyone else in there."

The New Jersey father of five who famously won the $338 million Powerball jackpot in 2013 has been arrested, accused of sexually assaulting a young girl for years while he lived in Passaic, prosecutors say. 

Pedro Quezada, who now lives in Wayne, allegedly sexually assaulted the girl from the time she was 11 years old to 14 years old, the Passaic County prosecutor said.

Quezada was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.

Quezada was operating a bodega with his son when he won the massive jackpot. He took a $152 million lump sum payment after taxes.

He told reporters at the time he knew his life "has to change — because imagine so much money, but it will not change my heart."

Neighbors at the time said the man was "a hard worker, like all of us here. We all get up in the morning and go to work." 

They described how thrilled they were that one of their own struck it rich: "It's a blessing for the neighborhood. It gives people hope that there is a blessing somewhere, for somebody."

Quezada's attorney, Steven Wukovits, said his client is not guilty and that he is being targeted because the alleged victim wants a piece of his lottery winnings.

"This is a troubled young lady who lived with Pedro and his girlfriend, " he said. "He has money, she doesn't have any and that's the reason he's being targeted in this case."

Not long after he won, Quezada was ordered to court to resolve a $30,000 debt for child support. 

A person is in custody after officers discovered pipe bombs while serving an eviction notice at a home in the Olney section of Philadelphia Wednesday morning, investigators said.

Officers with the Civil Enforcement Unit with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office were conducting a court-ordered eviction at a home on the 6100 block of N. Fairhill Street around 11 a.m. While at the home, they came across what appeared to be two pipe bombs, investigators said.

The officers immediately called in K-9 Blair, one of three specially-trained dogs. The K-9 reacted positively to the pipes and the Bomb Squad was called in to dispose of the materials. The entire block was evacuated.

The pipe bombs were eventually disposed of while a person at the home was taken into custody. Police have not yet released his or her identity.

The current hurricane season has had a significant financial impact on travelers. NBC10's Brandon Hudson spoke to a newlywed couple from our area who had their honeymoon plans ruined.

In the final hours of his life, Tim Piazza lay on a couch in a Penn State frat house barely conscious and occasionally vomiting from alcohol poisoning and serious internal injuries.

Twice on a night of heavy drinking in early February, frat brothers, apparently oblivious to his injuries, strapped a backpack on the very ill young man. Piazza died a day later, Feb. 4, at Hershey Medical Center.

In another, more recent death on a Pennsylvania college campus in September, dorm mates of Lafayette College freshman McCrae Williams put a backpack on the young lacrosse player as he lay in his bed. He had thrown up and fallen to the floor in his room after what has been described as a "day drink" party and possibly another party the night before.

The college kids in both instances put backpacks on their dying friends in the hope of preventing the young men from turning unconsciously onto their backs and asphyxiating on their vomit, according to authorities.

There is even a term for it now in college circles: "JanSporting" — named after the popular brand of backpack used by high school and college students. Another term for it is "the drunk pack." Pillows often are placed in the backpack to prevent a person from turning from his or her side.

JanSporting may be popular on campus, but it is not a prescription likely to gain support in the medical community anytime soon.

"Sadly, 'JanSporting' is another one of those internet-fueled misconceptions that people, especially college students, use to prevent bad outcomes from excessive alcohol consumption," said Dr. Ralph Riviello, vice chair of clinical operations at Drexel University's Department of Emergency Medicine. "[While] the backpack theoretically can prevent someone from rolling onto their back, aspiration can occur in other positions, and the degree of intoxication and responsiveness are the biggest determinants of aspiration."

He said if a friend is so drunk that unconscious vomiting is a concern, calling 911 is the right and immediate thing to do.

"If someone is that drunk that you are considering putting a backpack on them, you need to call 911. They need to be transported to ED for evaluation," Riviello said.

He said a common misconception among young people, particularly underage college students, is that going to an emergency room for intoxication will lead to ramifications with their college administrators.

But details of their hospital trip are protected by privacy rights and HIPPA.

"We see a lot of college kids on Friday or Saturday. We never would report them to the Dean’s office or campus officials," Riviello said. "We would encourage kids to seek help or visit their student health center and that sort of thing, but we don’t call the school."

The one call doctors and nurses might make? "We may call your parents if you’re underage and they are close enough to pick you up," he said.

Still, as recent college tragedies should teach other young people, Riviello said it’s better to get to a doctor quickly and live than worry about the embarrassment and fallout from being dangerously intoxicated.

"If you're that sick or you're that out of it, you need medical attention," Riviello said. "Your drunk friends aren’t going to provide the amount of attention that you need."

A woman is fighting for her life after she was struck by a vehicle on Roosevelt Boulevard in Northeast Philadelphia Wednesday night.

The 28-year-old woman was in the northbound lanes of the Boulevard near Southampton Road around 9:45 p.m. when she was struck by a vehicle.

Police initially told NBC10 the vehicle fled the area. They later said that the driver returned to the scene however.

The woman was taken to the Aria Torresdale Medical Center where she is currently in critical condition.

Few people expect a check from their employer to bounce, but that is exactly what happened to dozens of employees at Cherry Hill-based Telepoint Communications.

The company, which offers call center and other e-commerce services, allegedly issued up to 20 handwritten paychecks that could not be deposited or cashed at any bank.

Enraged employees stormed Telepoint offices on Tuesday, demanding payment for their work. Some shouted while Cherry Hill police attempted to break up the protest.

"I can’t cash this. I need money to get over the bridge," one man could be heard saying on a Facebook video. "I’m stuck. I can’t go nowhere. I need to get home. This was my way home."

“We have kids!” another woman could be heard shouting.

Telepoint president Jeff Merovitz told NBC10 about 300 checks were issued after the company hired 1,000 new employees.

“It was so overwhelming that we needed to make sure that it was done correctly,” he said, adding he was forced to write personal checks because Telepoint was late submitting payroll information for the month.

“They are good checks these people are not able to cash and I don’t know why.”

But angry employees continued to demand their money.

“A lot of people are depending on this job, we have bills, mortgages car payments,” Tangela McClam from Willingboro, New Jersey, said. "It's more frustrating because we're sitting on the phone for hours."

The payroll company that handles Telepoint told NBC10 the South Jersey company is a longtime customer in good standing. They anticipate paychecks will be honored once employees resubmit them.

A day of drinking, an accidental fall and delayed medical attention led to the death of a 19-year-old Lafayette College freshman, investigators said Tuesday.

Here is a look at the timeline of events leading up to the death of McCrae Williams as detailed by the Northampton County District Attorney.

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After several days on the picket lines, teachers in the Methacton School District will return to work Friday after reaching an agreement with the school board and ending their strike.

The Methacton Education Association (MEA) and the School Board agreed to enter a non-binding arbitration Wednesday night. Classes will be closed Thursday in observance of a religious holiday. Classes will resume Friday as teachers return.

The negotiations between the Methacton School District’s Board of School Directors and the MEA had been ongoing since January as teachers sought a new contract. The teacher’s union said sticking points were over wages not being high enough to cover increasing health insurance premiums. Over 400 teachers and staff members in the Methacton School District went on strike Monday morning after they failed to reach an agreement Sunday night.

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Classes for about 5,000 students spread across the district's seven schools were canceled Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the strike.

During a school board meeting Tuesday night, the Board President publicly offered the non-binding arbitration option to the MEA.

“We chose this option to strategically move us in the right direction towards a settlement that addresses our priorities.” said Diana Kernop, MEA Co-President. “I feel the School Board’s desire to enter this process long before the strike’s maximum duration gives insight into the dynamics of the Board, reflects the unity and strength of our members and the groundswell of community support MEA has received.”

The last Methacton strike in 1985 lasted 25 days.

For Army National Guard veteran Bill Austin, his dog JP has been more than just a pet; he’s an integral part in his struggle to cope with his PTSD. Austin, a Delaware native who currently lives in Montana, said JP even wakes him up when he’s having nightmares about his past battles.

“He has been trained to help me remember to take my medicine,” said Austin, who did tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. 

JP was with Austin and his family when they visited Kathy’s Crab House in Delaware City, Delaware Friday. Also inside the restaurant at the time was a woman whose enraged, caught on video reaction to the dog, quickly went viral.

In the three-minute clip posted on YouTube, the unidentified woman screams at restaurant employees about the dog in front of Austin and his family.

“I’m leaving because the food is nasty and there’s a dog,” the woman says.

An employee inside the restaurant defends Austin and JP.

“He’s alive because he fought for our country,” the employee says. 

“Congratulations,” the woman replies. “My husband’s dad did too! My husband’s dad fought for the f*****g country! So what?! It’s still nasty to me!”

The argument continues as a small crowd watches.

“It should be a separate section for a f*****g animal,” the woman screams.

The woman continues to complain about the dog being inside and yells at people inside the restaurant, accusing them of starting the confrontation, before finally leaving with another man.

"Like I said, it's disgusting to have an animal inside of a public restaurant," she yells before exiting.

Since it was posted on YouTube, the viral video has gained worldwide attention.

“It's making people understand that you know what, this is not the way we should be treating each other,” Austin said.

Service dogs are allowed to stay with their handlers inside restaurants under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Police are currently investigating the incident but won’t release the woman’s information unless they decide to charge her with a crime. Meanwhile, strangers from around the world have reached out to both Austin and the restaurant since the video was posted.

“People are calling from Australia. People are calling from all over the United States,” said Kathy Wisowaty, the owner of Kathy’s Crab House. “They support him. They want to buy him a meal. They want to buy the dog a meal."

In the aftermath of the woman's outburst, a sign was placed outside the restaurant. It reads, "Service Dogs Welcome."

Here are the top news stories you need to know to start your day from your friends at NBC10.

TODAY'S TOP STORY 

Methacton Teachers End Strike, Return to Work Friday: After several days on the picket lines, teachers in the Methacton School District will return to work Friday after reaching an agreement with the school board and ending their strike. The Methacton Education Association (MEA) and the School Board agreed to enter a non-binding arbitration Wednesday night. Classes will be closed Thursday in observance of a religious holiday. Classes will resume Friday as teachers return. The negotiations between the Methacton School District’s Board of School Directors and the MEA had been ongoing since January as teachers sought a new contract. The teacher’s union said sticking points were over wages not being high enough to cover increasing health insurance premiums. More than 400 teachers and staff members in the Methacton School District went on strike Monday morning after they failed to reach an agreement Sunday night.

• MORE ON THE AGREEMENT
  

WHAT YOU MISSED YESTERDAY

Man Who Fathered Kids With Amish Teen Girls Gets 30-87 Years: A Bucks County man was sentenced to 30 to 87 years in state prison Wednesday on multiple counts of child rape and related charges for years of housing and sleeping with underage Amish sisters. Lee Kaplan, 52, of Feasterville, was convicted in June on 17 counts. Last year, police found nine daughters of Daniel and Savilla Stoltzfus inside Kaplan's small house. Savilla Stoltzfus was also living with Kaplan and the girls. Two other young girls were also in the house. They were fathered by Kaplan, a Cheltenham native, with the oldest of the Stoltzfus daughters. She was 14 when her parents "gifted" the daughters to Kaplan.

• MORE ON THE SENTENCE

YOUR FIRST ALERT FORECAST  

Thursday and Friday are expected to be warm and sunny with temperatures in the 80s. Saturday is also expected to see 80 degree temperatures and sun. Sunday is expected to be sunny with temperatures in the high 80s. Monday could see some rain but temperatures are expected to stay in the 80s. Get your full NBC10 First Alert forecast here.

Officers Find Pipe Bombs While Serving Eviction Notice: A person is in custody after officers discovered pipe bombs while serving an eviction notice at a home in the Olney section of Philadelphia Wednesday morning, investigators said. Officers with the Civil Enforcement Unit with the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office were conducting a court-ordered eviction at a home on the 6100 block of N. Fairhill Street around 11 a.m. While at the home, they came across what appeared to be two pipe bombs, investigators said. The officers immediately called in K-9 Blair, one of three specially-trained dogs. The K-9 reacted positively to the pipes and the Bomb Squad was called in to dispose of the materials. The entire block was evacuated. The pipe bombs were eventually disposed of while a person at the home was taken into custody. Police have not yet released his or her identity.

• MORE ON THE INVESTIGATION
  

AROUND THE WORLD

Mexican Family Mourns 11 Dead After Church Falls at Baptism: A child's baptism turned into tragedy when the roof of a church collapsed as a powerful earthquake shook central Mexico. Eleven members of a family died, including the 2-month-old girl being christened. The only survivors were the girl's father, the priest and the priest's assistant, the Archdiocese of Puebla said Wednesday. At least four minors were among the dead. "It was a scene of horror, sadness with most of the people inside the church dying," priest's assistant Lorenzo Sanchez told The Associated Press. Sanchez said those who survived moved to the edges of the church when the swaying started while those who died didn't have time to do so. When the ground stopped shaking, people called for help using loudspeakers and residents of nearby communities quickly arrived in Atzala with shovels, pickaxes and chains to haul away rubble. They dug for hours through the crumbling remains of the Santiago Apostol church but found the 11 relatives had died.

• MORE ON THE EARTHQUAKE

That's what you need to know to Catch Up Quickly, but we've got more stories worthy of your time. Click here to check them out. 

Family members in in the Philadelphia area are worried about how the conditions facing relatives in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria knocked out power to the entire island.

NBC10 First Alert meteorologist Bill Henley has good news for your weekend plans.

NBC10's Rosemary Connors gets the details about an upcoming run to beat hunger in which you team up with another runner in another part of the world. It's called Global Energy Race.