How do you follow up one of the gnarliest covers ever seen on a surf magazine? That’s what the TransWorld SURF staff asked ourselves when it came time to pick the front page of this issue...

Benny B, Alek Parker, Evan Geiselman, Brett Barley, the Heverly's, Jesse Hines, and Michael Dunphy score perfect barrels on the Outer Banks of North Carolina before, during, and after Hurricane Earl. All photos from TransWorld SURF's ace in the East; Seth Stafford.

The first signs of Hurricane Bill have arrived in Florida this morning. Check out the latest update from Magic Seaweed and stay tuned later today for photos from the front line.

Hurricane Bill has reached the Category 4 level and the whispers of possibilities have now turned into shouts.

While there's ultimately no rhyme or reason to what hurricanes will and won't do, there is a formula to surviving, and even maximizing surf sessions during the stormy season.