Hurricane Preparedness and Awareness!

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Hurricane Preparedness and Awareness!
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Check these out
Youd probably want to evacuate at this point
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What kind of damage are we talking about here?
Might want to take the detour
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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
doesnt last for more than 7-10 days. It moves
across the ocean at around 10-20 mphnot 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.
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When do I need to watch out for these things?
Since were in the USA, well 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 Septemberwhy
do you think this is?
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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?
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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!
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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!
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How do they measure hurricanes strength?
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Saffir-Simpson Scale of Hurricane Intensity
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What kind of damage are we talking about here?
Might want to take the detour
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Hurricane Naming System Why do they have names?
AlexBonnieColinDanielleEarlFionaGastonHermi
neIgorJuliaKarlLisaMatthewNicoleOttoPaula
RichardSharyTomasVirginieWalter

• In 1953 the National Weather Service began naming
  storms after women.
• In 1979, mens 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 years list (2010)
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More stuff to check out
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Aftermath
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Aftermath
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Aftermath
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Aftermath
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Last, stay safe and listen!

• The final thing is to stay indoors and stay safe
  and dry!

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