Steve Mitchell survives Hurricane Betsy in 1969 at Pass Christian, MS, but loses his bride. He becomes a climatologist studying storm surge at the National Hurricane Center along with Lou Ballantine, its director, Dr. Keith Landon and Dr. Billy Haughton. Conflict at the NHC counterpoints social-climbing and construction corruption within Palm Beach Society. Intense and detailed description about the growth of Hurricane Claudine and her destruction of Palm Beach with 250 mph winds, massive storm surge and a tornado. ( )