The Realities of Hurricanes Robert D Macedo Director of Operations of the VoIP Hurricane Net ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Web: Slides provided and heavily leveraged from NWS Taunton Massachusetts Realities of New England Hurricanes Power Point Presentation. Special thanks to KB1GHX-Glenn Field, NWS Taunton Warning Coordination Meteorologist for providing this presentation.

Hurricane Isabel – September 2003

Objectives What makes an active hurricane season? What makes an active hurricane season? What are the primary weather hazards we need to be prepared for? What are the primary weather hazards we need to be prepared for?

So what makes an active season?

Critical component: Sea Temps!

Warm sea temps = greater potential

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Before a storm threatens Before a storm threatens When a storm threatens When a storm threatens Weather information sources Weather information sources Clues to an increasing threat Clues to an increasing threat Concluding thoughts Concluding thoughts

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS BEFORE A HURRICANE THREATENS Have a storm preparedness plan (boat owners and home owners) Means to know if a storm threatens Know policies/procedures of where boat is moored Know options: Haul boat out of water? Secure in place? Move to safer anchorage and secure? Do you need to evacuate home? Where would you go? How much time to get there? If going to a shelter, pet arrangements? Ready access to insurance policies for boat and home Know coverage limits and have pictures of boat Know how to reach claim agents

PRE SEASON BOATER CHECKLIST Check key phone numbers (marina, insurance agent, etc.) Check key phone numbers (marina, insurance agent, etc.) Coordinated your storm preparedness plan with caretaker/marina Coordinated your storm preparedness plan with caretaker/marina Batteries fully charged Batteries fully charged Cleats checked Cleats checked Chafe gear stored/labeled Chafe gear stored/labeled Sufficient line Sufficient line Suitable anchors Suitable anchors Bilge pumps, if applicable Bilge pumps, if applicable Hatches water tight Hatches water tight Moorings Moorings –Inspected –Adequate for potential storm surge, wind and waves Hurricane Bob (August 19, 1991)

PREPAREDNESS FOR THE COASTAL HOMEOWNER Find out if you are in a potential evacuation zone or not If might have to evacuate, know where to go and how to get there Have shutters or plywood on hand, if may need to protect windows Know electrical, water, gas shut off valves Review working condition of emergency equipment – including flashlights and battery powered radios Have cache of non-perishable food and water

COASTAL HOME PREPAREDNESS Use storm shutters or plywood Use storm shutters or plywood Install correctly to avoid these items becoming missiles Install correctly to avoid these items becoming missiles Do not tape windows Do not tape windows Board up windows if sustained wind speeds may reach 60 mph or greater

WHEN CONSTRUCTING ON THE COAST Hurricane clips Hurricane straps

IMPLICATIONS FOR SKYSCRAPERS

WHEN A HURRICANE THREATENS Monitor weather developments Monitor weather developments Put your plan into action Put your plan into action Allow time buffer – remember major New England hurricanes accelerate and may arrive hours sooner than forecasted Allow time buffer – remember major New England hurricanes accelerate and may arrive hours sooner than forecasted

Boat may not be only item you need to move! When hurricane threatens, remember also to: Secure potentially dangerous items such as propane tanks Collect/store loose objects such as lawn furniture, trash cans, etc. Board up windows and doors if exposed to high winds (5/8” thick plywood)

OTHER PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS WHEN HURRICANE THREATENS Check supply of batteries Check supply of batteries –Never use candles Check supply of nonperishable food and water Check supply of nonperishable food and water Fill-up with gas and money Fill-up with gas and money –Gas pumps and ATMs rely on power –Check medical prescriptions Make sure you don’t need to evacuate Make sure you don’t need to evacuate Turn refrigerator to coldest setting Turn refrigerator to coldest setting Help your neighbors Help your neighbors –Including owners of boats surrounding yours –One bad mooring can mean disaster for many

AND HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS On land and sea On land and sea For boat owners, one bad mooring can mean disaster for many For boat owners, one bad mooring can mean disaster for many

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFORMATION

National Hurricane Center Products The National Hurricane Center issues general tropical updates on a routine basis 4 times per day: The National Hurricane Center issues general tropical updates on a routine basis 4 times per day: –Tropical Weather Outlook (Issuance times changed to 2 AM, 8 AM, 2 PM and 8 PM EDT and is shifted to 1 AM, 7 AM, 1 PM and 7 PM when operating under standard time.) A separate update known as the “Special Tropical Disturbance Statement” may also be issued. A separate update known as the “Special Tropical Disturbance Statement” may also be issued. –This statement can be issued at any time to describe strong, formative weather systems that have not yet reached Tropical Depression status.

National Hurricane Center Products A Standard Package of Products is issued by the National Hurricane Center when a Tropical Cyclone (Depression or higher forms) every 6 hours. Those products are: A Standard Package of Products is issued by the National Hurricane Center when a Tropical Cyclone (Depression or higher forms) every 6 hours. Those products are: –Public Advisory –Technical Discussion –Forecast/Advisory –Wind Speed Probabilities Product The Public Advisory are issued in 3 hour intervals when active tropical storm/hurricane watches or warnings are posted for an area. The Public Advisory are issued in 3 hour intervals when active tropical storm/hurricane watches or warnings are posted for an area. The public advisory is sometimes issued every 2 hours when a powerful hurricane is within range of US radar. The public advisory is sometimes issued every 2 hours when a powerful hurricane is within range of US radar. When Public Advisories are issued every 2 hours, on the hours where no advisory is issued, a position estimate on the center of the hurricane is given based on radar. When Public Advisories are issued every 2 hours, on the hours where no advisory is issued, a position estimate on the center of the hurricane is given based on radar. A Tropical Cyclone Update is issued at any time in lieu of a special public advisory for changes in a system’s intensity or changes in watches and warnings. A Tropical Cyclone Update is issued at any time in lieu of a special public advisory for changes in a system’s intensity or changes in watches and warnings.

National Hurricane Center Products As part of the Tropical Cyclone Advisory packages, Watches and Warnings Can be issued: As part of the Tropical Cyclone Advisory packages, Watches and Warnings Can be issued: Hurricane Watch Hurricane Watch –A hurricane exists and could strike the coastal area affected within 36 hours with hurricane force winds sustained at 74 MPH or greater. Hurricane Warning Hurricane Warning –A hurricane exists and is expected to strike the coastal area affected within 24 hours with hurricane force winds sustained at 74 MPH or greater. Tropical Storm Watch Tropical Storm Watch –Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds 39 MPH or greater) could affect the coastal area affected within 36 hours. Tropical Storm Warning Tropical Storm Warning –Tropical Storm conditions (sustained winds 39 MPH or greater) will affect the coastal area affected within 24 hours.

Local NWS Tropical Storm/Hurricane Products There are several products issued by local NWS offices when a tropical system approaches, some of which are part of the routine products they typically issue. There are several products issued by local NWS offices when a tropical system approaches, some of which are part of the routine products they typically issue. Hazardous Weather Outlook Hazardous Weather Outlook –This product should be monitored for any type of hazardous weather including hurricanes and if a hurricane has the potential to pose a threat to an area. It is typically listed in this outlook. Tropical Storm/Hurricane Local Statements (Issued every 2-4 hours) Tropical Storm/Hurricane Local Statements (Issued every 2-4 hours) –Issued by local NWS Forecast Offices when Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watches and Warnings are issued for their area. –These statements give the storm center position, greater detail on storm surge/tide information, wind information, inland flood threat, threat for damaging winds in coastal and inland locations and any known evacuation notices. Public Information Statements Public Information Statements –Issued when Tropical Storm/Hurricane Watches and Warnings are posted with safety and terminology info for the public.

Local NWS Tropical Storm/Hurricane Products Special/Severe Weather Statements Special/Severe Weather Statements –These will be issued as required for hurricane force winds and for when the strongest winds near the center of a hurricane make landfall. Flood Watches and Warnings for rivers, streams and urban areas for excessive rainfall. Flood Watches and Warnings for rivers, streams and urban areas for excessive rainfall. Tornado Warnings Tornado Warnings –Tornado Warnings are being utilized more frequently for any potential tornadic signatures on radar from outer rain bands and for when the eye of a hurricane makes landfall. The Storm Prediction Center typically issues a Tornado Watch along and to the east of the center of a hurricane, as it in these areas that the threat for isolated tornadoes can occur within a hurricane, tropical storm and even remnant tropical systems. The Storm Prediction Center typically issues a Tornado Watch along and to the east of the center of a hurricane, as it in these areas that the threat for isolated tornadoes can occur within a hurricane, tropical storm and even remnant tropical systems.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WORKING AS A TEAM Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center –Coordinates with local Weather Forecast Offices –Coordinates with emergency managers and media on national level –Issues official forecast track Local Weather Forecast Offices Across the US Local Weather Forecast Offices Across the US –Coordinates with emergency managers and media in their County Warning Area. –Focuses on threats at the local/regional level.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Tropical Prediction Center meteorologists are the “specialists” Weather Forecast Office meteorologists are the “general practitioners”

WEATHER INFORMATION SOURCES Internet Click on area on map that you live in for information from your local office. NOAA Weather Radio Coast Guard transmissions Commercial sources

TROPICAL CYCLONE DEFINITIONS TROPICAL DEPRESSION – Organized system with maximum sustained winds less than 34 knots (39 mph) TROPICAL DEPRESSION – Organized system with maximum sustained winds less than 34 knots (39 mph) TROPICAL STORM – Well defined circulation with maximum sustained winds 34 – 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) TROPICAL STORM – Well defined circulation with maximum sustained winds 34 – 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) HURRICANE – Sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher HURRICANE – Sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher

HURRICANE CATEGORIES Saffir-Simpson Scale Category 1 – sustained winds 74 to 95 mph Category 1 – sustained winds 74 to 95 mph –Edouard in 1996 (Labor Day Weekend), Gloria in 1985, Alex in 2004, Humberto in 2007 Category 2 – sustained winds 96 to 110 mph Category 2 – sustained winds 96 to 110 mph –Bob in August 1991 Category 3 – sustained winds 111 to 130 mph Category 3 – sustained winds 111 to 130 mph –1938 Hurricane, 1944 Hurricane, Carol (1954), Edna (1954), Katrina (2005 landfall on Gulf Coast), Rita (2005 landfall in Texas/Louisiana border) Category 4 – sustained winds 131 to 155 mph Category 4 – sustained winds 131 to 155 mph –Hugo (1989), Ivan (2004 landfall in the Florida Panhandle) Category 5 – sustained winds > 155 mph Category 5 – sustained winds > 155 mph –1935 Keys Hurricane, Camille (1969), Andrew (1992), Dean (2007), Felix (2007) –Peak intensities of Ivan, Katrina, and Rita were Category 5 systems over the open waters.

Key on approach of first tropical storm force squalls – not the eye!

ALLOW FOR FORECAST ERROR!

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS?

Do not even think about staying with your boat during a tropical storm or hurricane …unless you own a very large vessel and plan to put out to sea

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS History gives us a clue to what can happen, but our experience can be misleading

While we should enjoy the tremendous beauty of our coastline…

Natural Calamity Strikes At About The Time When One Forgets Its Terror!...Japanese Proverb

Hurricane Isabel – September 2003 Rob Macedo (KD1CY) Web: Director of Operations of the VoIP Hurricane Net ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator