Hurricane Preparedness and Awareness!

Check these out… You’d probably want to evacuate at this point…

What kind of damage are we talking about here? Might want to take the detour…

What Exactly Is a Hurricane? A hurricane can best be described as a huge tropical storm (up to 600 miles in diameter)! Winds can be up to 200 mph! Storm usually doesn’t last for more than 7-10 days. It moves across the ocean at around 10-20 mph…not too fast really! Arrows indicate “feeder bands” or “rain bands” The winds are the strongest around the eye wall. The eye of the storm is usually about 20 miles in diameter. Within the eye, winds are calm and the weather is great. Strongest winds are on the right side, heaviest rain is usually on the left side.

When do I need to watch out for these things? Since we’re in the USA, we’ll focus on what meteorologists call the “Atlantic Basin”. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. The “hurricane season” is just a name for the time period when we expect to see tropical systems develop. The hurricane season for the Atlantic runs from June 1st – November 30th. Peak season is the middle part of September…why do you think this is?

Where are these “Atlantic Basin” Hurricanes forming? Storms of the Atlantic basin will begin forming in one of three places: Off the coast of Africa In the Caribbean Sea In the Gulf of Mexico What is the ITCZ?

Intertropical Convergence Zone The ITCZ is an area of low pressure located roughly 5 degrees North and South of the Equator. It is a place where air converges, rises, and condenses (forming clouds). It is the rainiest place on Earth!

What Does a Hurricane Need in Order to Develop? A hurricane needs warm water, time to grow, and favorable upper level winds in the troposphere. If the winds are too strong, they will blow the hurricane apart – we call that wind shear!

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 1 – Tropical Wave (Depression) Usually has begun its life off of the west coast of Africa in the ITCZ. Tropical depressions have winds of less than 39mph, and are not given a name. Lacks structure – no well developed feeder bands or eye

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 2 – Tropical Storm At this point, the tropical storm is beginning to develop some serious structure. Winds range from 40-73 mph. In the Atlantic, storms are given a name when they reach this stage. Feeder bands are beginning to develop – you can see the center of the low pressure system more easily. Eye and eye wall still not well formed.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 3 – Category 1 Hurricane Winds range from 75-94 mph. Well developed feeder bands. An eye begins to form (although it is covered in clouds). Storm is tightening around center.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 4 – Category 2 Hurricane Winds range from 95-110 mph. Well developed feeder bands. An eye and eye wall are usually very well formed. Storm continues to tighten around center.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 5 – Category 3 Hurricane Winds range from 111-130 mph. Now considered a “Major Storm”. Intense flooding and building damage will occur to most areas on the coast. Further inland, the damage will still be substantial.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 6 – Category 4 Hurricane Winds range from 131-155 mph. All shrubs, signs and trees blown down. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the coast.

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages Stage 7 – Category 5 Hurricane Winds greater than 156 mph! Complete roof failure on many residential and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles of the coastline maybe required.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale How do they measure hurricanes’ strength? Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Category Wind speed (mph) Storm surge (feet) 5 156 More than18 4 131–155 13–18 3 111–130 9–12 2 96–110 6–8 1 74–95 4–5 Additional classifications Tropical storm 39–73 0–3 Tropical depression 0–38

Saffir-Simpson Scale of Hurricane Intensity

What kind of damage are we talking about here? Might want to take the detour…

Is flooding a serious threat? Floods: Flooding occurs when water rises. More people are killed by floods during a hurricane than by any other hazard. Tidal surges push ocean water in hurricanes and can cause deadly flash flooding.

What is a storm surge? Storm surge: Storm surge is a massive dome of water, that sweeps across the coast near the area where the eye of the hurricane makes landfall. The stronger the hurricane, the higher the storm surge. For those living along the coast, storm surge is one of the most dangerous parts of a hurricane. Here are examples of a storm surge flooding a coastal town.

What is a hurricane watch & warning? Hurricane Watch: A hurricane is possible within 36 hours. Listen closely to the radio and television for more information. It is very important for you to listen for the hurricane updates. Hurricane Warning: A hurricane is expected within 24 hours. You may be told to evacuate. You and your family should begin preparations to evacuate.

Do I need to prepare for tornadoes? YES! Hurricanes often bring tornadoes with them. Listen to your radio for tornado warnings and try to stay safe.

What can you do? Listen to the radio: Get a radio and extra batteries for it, and be sure to listen to it during a hurricane or any emergency. The radio will tell you when you need to take shelter. NOAA provides continuous emergency weather broadcasts from local stations. Check your local listings.

What can you do? Prepare your house for the storm! Help your family get the house ready by picking up loose items in the yard that could become deadly missiles, covering windows with plywood, and turning off utilities.

What can you do? Disaster supply kit: Make sure your family has a disaster supply kit assembled and ready to use. Disaster meeting place: Ask your family to decide on a meeting place in case you get separated during a disaster. Choose an out-of-town relative or friend who you can check in with to say you're OK.

What can you do? Pets: If you have pets, you need to find a place for them to stay if you have to evacuate your home. Make sure this safe place is outside the evacuated area. If your family plans to stay in a public shelter, you may have to keep your pets somewhere else. You could also take shelter in a hotel, but make sure they accept pets before you evacuate.

Keep Track of the Hurricane If you know how, try to keep track of the hurricane. You can see it on the internet (if you are away from the storm) or listen to a radio and download a hurricane tracking chart. When a hurricane forms, you can follow its course by listening to the news on the radio and you can plot it on the chart.

Hurricane Naming System – Why do they have names? Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Igor Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomas Virginie Walter In 1953 the National Weather Service began naming storms after women. In 1979, men’s names were added to the list of hurricane names. In the Atlantic, there are 6 lists of names that are recycled. In the case of storms so devastating that reusing the name is inappropriate, the name is taken off the list and another name is used to replace it. The name “Katrina” is one that will be removed from the list. This year’s list: (2010)

More stuff to check out…

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Last, stay safe and listen! The final thing is to stay indoors and stay safe and dry! To take the Online Safety Quiz, go to eServices, CAP Online Safety Briefings