Opening Activity Notice schedule for today on the board In your notebook: What are some safety precautions people should take during a tornado warning? (not just at school or home) 1/11

Family Discussion Review What are some of the most dangerous weather events you have ever witnessed? What did you do to stay safe?

Notebook Set-Up for the today 4 Squares Asking you to write down what you DON’T know

Natural Disasters 1.What are they? 2.How to predict? 3.How to monitor? 4.Resources after the event?

#1

What is it?

Tornado A violent rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. Caused when cold air from the thunderstorm rapidly descends, while warm air from the ground rises. Rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (enhanced in 2007 to take damage into consideration instead of just wind speed) 1 being the weakest and 5 the worst.

#2

How do we predict it?

Tornado Prediction First, it’s not easy and not 100% accurate to predict a tornado. Meteorologists look for a clash between a high and low pressure system, which causes a thunderstorm. Then they look for swirling wind patterns. Meteorologist finally look for “hooks” in Doppler radar of thunderstorms.

Can you find the “hook” tornado signature?

#3

How do we monitor it?

Tornado Monitoring Doppler Radar – Once tornado is on ground, dust/debris “ball” can be visible on the radar. Storm Chasers – Mobile weather stations that can collect valuable and rare data to better understand tornado developments. Weather Station Data – If able, surrounding permanent weather stations can pick up valuable data as well. However, the likelihood of a tornado hitting a weather station is rare.

Storm Chasers Most are volunteers (don’t get paid) who try to make a living at “selling” documentation and videos of the storms. Some are professionals, who work for various organizations to collect certain types of data.

#4

Resources

Tornado Resources and Effects Term Examples Direct Losses Loss of life, house, farmland, property, vehicles, resources (electricity, water, gas, etc.) Indirect Losses Loss of business revenue, tourism, taxes, travel Market Effects Loss of jobs and leisure activities Costs Cost of prevention (storm bunkers, public awareness, sirens) Cost of aftermath (fixing roads, property, damaged buildings, etc.) Redistribution People may have to move. Electricity, water, gas may have to come from a new place. Wealth Property values decrease significantly. Loss of tourism and business effects local revenue.

Tornado Cost Facts Since 1950, in federal costs, Texas leads the US in almost 2 TRILLION dollars. Kentucky is #23 at a cost of $285 BILLION. Since 1950, US federal government has given out more than $20 TRILLION in tornado aid.

#1

What is it?

Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. Classifications: Tropical Depression, Tropical Storm, Hurricane. Rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale (1 being the weakest, and 5 the worst)

Where is the eye?

#2

How do we predict it?

Hurricane Prediction Hurricane prediction is fairly easy since it begins far in the oceans. Normally meteorologists can issues hurricane watches 7-10 days ahead of time. Meteorologists look for the classic signature of a hurricane cloud with an eye. Then they try to predict the path of the hurricane, mainly the eye, to determine evacuations and warnings. Meteorologists can normal determine the path to 18 hours with very strong certainty based on wind patterns.

Can you see the estimated path?

Hurricane Paths

#3

How do we monitor it?

Hurricane Monitoring Doppler Radar – The eye wall of the hurricane is the most dangerous section. Radar can easily track the eye. Weather Station Data – Weather stations are much more common for hurricanes since most hurricanes occur near the same place (southern US).

Crazy Weather Reporters There is ALWAYS a handful of weather reporters who try to broadcast the wind and damages of the hurricanes.

#4

Resources

Hurricane Resources and Effects Term Examples Direct Losses Loss of life, house, property, vehicles, resources (electricity, water, gas, etc.) Indirect Losses Loss of business revenue, tourism, taxes, travel Market Effects Loss of jobs and leisure activities Costs Cost of prevention (public awareness, evacuation routes, building structures to withstand wind and water levels) Cost of aftermath (fixing roads, property, damaged buildings, etc.) Redistribution People may have to move. Electricity, water, gas may have to come from a new place. Wealth Property values decrease significantly. Loss of tourism and business effects local revenue.

Hurricane Cost Facts Since 1850s, in federal costs, Hurricane Katrina leads the US in almost $100 BILLION dollars. (remember, this is just a 1 day event, not one year) Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, 8000 people died. Since 1850, US federal government has given out more than $45 TRILLION in hurricane aid.