duncan golestani, nbc news, london. >>> hurricane season officially began today, and while forecasters predict it won't be as bad as some, parts of the country remain highly vulnerable in any hurricane. our report on this tonight from weather channel meteorologist mike bettes. >> reporter: strong winds, heavy rain, and large waves. the start of hurricane season brings even greater risk to the millions of americans living along our vulnerable coastlines. this year, noaa's atlantic hurricane season outlook forecast as many as 13 storms. six could become hurricanes with two of those major hurricanes, a category three or higher. experts say it could be a near or below average season. >> overall, this forecast is good news for those living along the coast, but again, remember, it only takes one storm. >> reporter: over the past decade, atlantic systems have caused nearly $300 billion in damage. cool atlantic temperatures and el nino's band of warm water expected in the pacific mean less potential risk this year. the national weather service will release storm surge flood maps showing areas

with more, here is duncan golestani. >> reporter: for past five weeks, oscar pistorius has been out of the spotlight, instead attending this psychiatric hospital as an outpatient. during the trial, the paralympian has been inconsolable, sobbing, wretching and covering his face. but the medical assessment was about his state of mind when he shot reeva steenkamp on valentine's day last year. so what are the possible outcomes? if pistorius is found to have been mentally incapacitated, the trial could end with him being committed to an institution. but if his mental capacity was just diminished, the trial would resume with a decision taken into account during sentencing if he's found guilty. finally, what the prosecution is hoping for, a conclusion pistorius was mentally sound. that last petition could undermine the defense case which claimed pistorius, a double amputee was living in a state of extreme fear, believing he would be a victim of crime. in court, but not on camera, he said the shooting was an accident, that he thought reeva was an intruder when he fired through the bathroom doo