Term
|
Definition
- Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Charley
-First time ever, since records have been kept
3. Estimated 9.3 million evacuations (including multiple evacuations by some of the same people) |
|
|
Term
| Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana and Mississippi, 2005 |
|
Definition
1. Most damaging disaster event in U.S. history: $80+ Billion
2. Most deadly hurricane since 1929: 1800+ deaths
3. Superdome used as refuge of last resort
800k people displaced |
|
|
Term
| Hurricane Sandy, New Jersey and New York City -- 2012 |
|
Definition
2nd most costly storm in US history
1. Surge, wave damage to NJ and NYC beachfront communities
2. Flooding of subways
3. Largest storm in US history (extent of hurricane force winds)
4. Largest storm in US history (extent of hurricane force winds) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Galveston, TX 1900 – 8,000+
2. Lake Okeechobee, FL 1928 – 1,836
3. Katrina – Louisiana, Mississippi, 2005 – 1,800+ |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Katrina – Louisiana, Mississippi, 2005 -- $80 B+
2. Andrew – South Miami-Dade, FL, 1992 -- $44 B
3. Charley – SW Florida, 2004 -- $15 B
4. Ivan – AL, NW Fla., 2004 -- $ 14B |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Hurricanes are special cases of cyclones - areas of low barometric pressure |
|
|
Term
| Characteristics of Cyclones |
|
Definition
a. Air tends to flow (as wind) from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure.
b. In the northern hemisphere wind is deflected to the right of its path due to Coriolis effect (resulting from Earth’s rotation).
c. Wind eventually arrives near the center of the area of low barometric pressure, but has been diverted to the right of its shortest path to the center.
d. Result is that the wind follows a counterclockwise path from outside the center of the cyclone to eventually arrive near its center (clockwise in the southern hemisphere).
e. When air reaches the center of the low pressure area it rises.
f. When the air rises it cools due to expansion, and if it contains sufficient moisture, condensation occurs, forming clouds, and often precipitation. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
oceans.
2) Center of the storm is warmer than the surrounding air.
3) Entire system of wind and clouds usually 200 to 500 miles wide.
4) Strongest winds are in the lower part of the atmosphere.
5) Not associated with cold fronts and warm fronts. |
|
|
Term
| Extra Tropical Cyclones (mid-latitude cyclones) |
|
Definition
1) Form outside the tropics (tropics are from the equator to 23.5o latitude).
2) Center of the storm is colder than surrounding air.
3) Entire system of wind and clouds usually 700 to 1000 miles wide.
4) Strongest winds are in the upper part of the atmosphere.
5) Associated with cold fronts and warm fronts. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which moves from east to west across the tropics causing areas of cloudiness and thunderstorms. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Meteorology The transfer of heat or other atmospheric properties by massive motion within the atmosphere, especially by such motion directed upward. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Must be at least 80oF, and warm water must extend deep beneath the surface. |
|
|
Term
| If atmosphere is unstable |
|
Definition
| (cooler than the air rising from the ocean surface in the thunderstorms) the air will continue to rise in the thunderstorms |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| e. The higher the air rises in the thunderstorms, the more condensation occurs, which releases heat into the atmosphere (i.e., latent heat of condensation), leaving the rising air even warmer. |
|
|
Term
| Air Higher than the Surface is Humid |
|
Definition
| (up to 18,000 feet) is humid, it too contributes to the “heat engine” process as it is drawn into the system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| h. Large areas of thunderstorm buildup are sometimes called “disturbed areas” in the tropics, implying they have the potential for further development. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| cloud and precipitation structure associated with an area of rainfall which is significantly elongated. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Higher Pressure Area in the Upper Area |
|
Definition
| above the surface depression helps pump air away as it rises to the top of the system, promoting greater convection from below. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) A World Meteorological Organization committee selects six sets of names to be used for a six-year cycle.
2) The cycle is repeated, except for names which are “retired” for storms which caused significant damage (e.g., Alicia, Betsy, Camille).
3) Different sets of names are used for the north Atlantic and eastern Pacific.
4) Names were first used in the U.S. in 1953, but only women’s names until 1979.
5) Prior to names, storms were labeled by year with respect to their location and from 1950-52 by the international phonetic alphabet (e.g., Able, Baker, Charlie) |
|
|
Term
| Labeling Cyclones around the World |
|
Definition
1) “Hurricanes” in the eastern Pacific
2) “Typhoons” in most of the western Pacific
3) “Cyclones” in the Indian Ocean and all of Australia (SW Pacific) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
circular area at the center of the storm system, with little or no wind, extending from the top of the storm to the surface, usually 15 to 30 miles in diameter.d.
As it descends it warms (due to compression), and condensation does not occur because the air is not saturated (warmer air being able to hold more moisture before becoming saturated). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. The area just outside the eye, where winds are strongest, precipitation heaviest, and convection most severe.
b. The eye wall extends only a few miles from the eye, and wind speeds usually decrease rapidly as a function of distance from the eye wall. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| in hurricanes extends approximately 30 miles from the center, on average, but can vary greatly from storm to storm |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Unevenly distributed outward from the center. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a. Hurricanes move forward as a system at “translational” speeds usually between 10 and 20 MPH in the tropics, but at greater speeds at higher latitudes (the New England Hurricane of 1938 was moving at 58 MPH at landfall on Long Island) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| forward speed of the storm system is added to the speed of winds within the system in locations where both directions are the same – e.g., If the storm is moving north at 20 MPH, and the wind within the cyclonic system is blowing at 100 MPH, the combined speed is 120 MPH in places where the winds within the hurricane are blowing to the north. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
c. The area where the directions are the same is the right of the storm (looking down onto the storm from above, oriented along the forward path of the storm).
d. Thus the strongest winds occur on the right side of the storm and the weakest on the left. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Affects the largest number of people and accounts for the most aggregate damage in most hurricanes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Wind has killed only 10% of all hurricane victims. It has killed more people than storm surge in some recent storms (e.g., Hugo, Andrew) but only because the total loss of life was relatively small, and storm surge didn’t claim a great number |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Force exerted by wind is proportional to the square of the wind velocity (e.g., 50 MPH vs. 100 MPH results in 4X as much force). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Many surfaces (e.g., walls) collapse due to the force of wind. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Wind flowing over a roof can create a negative force (i.e., a partial vacuum), resulting in lift, which causes the roof to be lifted off the building. The walls are then more vulnerable to wind with the roof gone. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Wind flowing around edges and sides of houses also create negative pressure, sometimes “sucking” windows outward. With windows gone, the walls become more vulnerable, and if wind enters the house, the roof is subjected to additional force (lifted from outside and pushed from inside the house). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Overhangs and similar surfaces obstruct wind flow and offer more resistance than more aerodynamic surfaces, increasing their susceptibility to failure. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) Mobile homes have been most susceptible to wind.
2) Many older homes have collapsed at winds of 85 MPH.
3) Tie-downs (anchors) must be used to keep them from overturning and often fail.
4) Walls are susceptible to penetration by missiles (i.e., wind-blown objects).
5) Mobile homes tend to be destroyed completely or not structurally damaged at all, due to lack of redundancy in the structures (i.e., when one component fails, all do)
6) Recent building code (1994) has made mobile homes much safer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) “Official” wind speed measurements pertain to a height 33 feet (10 meters) above the ground surface, in an area of open exposure (like at an airport).
2) Due to friction with the surface, wind speed is slower closer to the ground than above the ground.
3) Upper floors of buildings get stronger winds than lower floors; this is especially true in high-rise buildings but even when comparing first and second stories.
4) Upper floors of buildings are more susceptible to damage than lower floors because upper floors
a) Receive stronger wind
b) Have weaker walls (because the walls don’t have to support upper floors)
c) Have more obstructive surfaces such as overhangs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a) Receive stronger wind
b) Have weaker walls (because the walls don’t have to support upper floors)
c) Have more obstructive surfaces such as overhangs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| 1) Sustained wind is the average wind velocity over a one-minute period (international standards average over a 10 minute period) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
2) Gusts are nearly instantaneous (2 to 5 seconds)3)
On average, gusts exceed sustained winds by 30%, but the ratio can vary (referred to as the “gust factor”) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
s the highest speed at which 1 mile of wind passes an anemometer and is often used for engineering standards. Traditionally used by wind engineers.
5) Fastest mile is not exactly the same as sustained wind but is often used as the rough equivalent.
6) Although sustained wind historically has been the measure correlated with damage due to its longer duration, gusts are believed to account for much failure if the gusts are repetitious. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Trusses are connected laterally at intervals between roof ridge and base. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| X” pattern of two braces are attached at the top center of the gable (to the bottom center brace of a truss) and at the bottom center of the gable (to the top center brace of a truss). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Galvanized metal straps are anchored to a wall stud and loop over the top of adjoining trusses or rafters. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Horizontal braces are added to the width of double-wide garage doors. Collapse of garage doors can allow wind to enter the structure, leading to failure of other components such as roof. Garage door tracks might also need anchoring or replacement to prevent glider wheels from leaving the tracks. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Bolts are added at top and bottom to secure the inactive door to the door frame. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Storm shutters are added to windows to prevent breakage from wind-propelled missiles. These can also prevent breaching of the window due to windows being sucked outward or collapsing inward. Shutters may be permanent or temporary (e.g., plywood) but should be designed to withstand prescribed impact forces. They help preserve the building “envelope;” if wind can enter through windows, roof failure, then wall failure probabilities increase. |
|
|
Term
| Discrepancies in Wind measurements |
|
Definition
a. It is common for no reliable measurement to exist of the strongest winds in a hurricane at the surface.
b. Anemometers fail due to breakage, not being scaled to indicate such high velocities, no one being present to observe the instrument, and electrical power failures.
c. Winds are often estimated at the surface by meteorologists by adjusting measurements taken by reconnaissance aircraft.
d. Winds are often estimated by engineers by inspecting damage caused by wind, frequently resulting in velocities lower than those proposed by meteorologists.
e. Recent research with GPS dropsondes indicate that winds near the surface can sometimes be higher than at 10,000 feet as measured by aircraft.
f. A 30 story building can receive winds one Saffir-Simpson category higher at its top than near the ground. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Hurricanes “die” as they move inland because the supply of warm water for their convection development is cut off, but winds also decrease due to friction with the land surface.
b. The distance inland which damaging winds will extend depends on:
1) Strength of the storm at landfall
2) Forward speed of the storm
a) On average, wind velocity at the coastline decreases by 50% approximately 12 hours after landfall.
b) Faster moving storms will be farther inland than slower storms in the same number of hours, causing their winds to penetrate farther inland (e.g., Hugo in 1989, made landfall near Charleston, SC but caused substantial damage in Charlotte, NC, over 200 miles inland)
3) Topography. Roughness of terrain can affect wind speed but substantially less than initial velocity and number of hours over land.
c. Thunderstorm winds. Thunderstorms will continue to accompany the hurricane system inland and can generate locally severe winds, as can any thunderstorm. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. A dome of water (i.e., an upward “bulge”) in the surface of the ocean beneath a hurricane caused by wind and low barometric pressure.
2. As the edge of the hurricane wind system reaches the coastline, so does the periphery of the storm surge. As the hurricane crosses the shoreline, the storm surge is pushed inland, inundating land which is at lower elevations than the top of the surge.
3. This is the principal cause of coastal flooding in hurricanes. |
|
|
Term
| 4. Mechanism of generating storm surge |
|
Definition
a. Low barometric pressure. A small portion (2 to 3 feet) of the surge is attributable to the low barometric pressure near the center of the storm exerting less downward pressure on the sea surface.
b. Wind friction. Most of the surge results from friction between the counterclockwise winds spiraling toward the center of the hurricane and the sea surface with which they come in contact.
1) Winds push the water toward the center of the storm, causing an accumulation under the wind field.
2) In deep water the accumulation spreads into the water beneath the hurricane, but in shallow water it can’t escape beneath the storm and builds above normal sea level. |
|
|
Term
| Factors Affecting Surge Height |
|
Definition
a. Storm severity. Stronger storms result in higher surge heights.
b. Forward speed. Faster forward speeds generally cause higher surge heights.
c. Offshore bathymetry. Shallow water on the continental shelf results in higher surge heights.
d. Shoreline configuration. Bays and inlets result in a funneling effect, causing higher surge heights in the bays.
e. Angle of approach. The angle at which the storm approaches the shoreline can result in higher or lower surges, depending upon other shoreline characteristics.
f. Size of storm. Larger storms generate larger surge heights. Charley in 2004 was compact and produced a lower than average surge. Katrina in 2005 and Ike in 2008 were broad and produced a higher than average surge. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
7. Effects of storm surge
a. Flooding from storm surge, plus accompanying wave action, has accounted for 90% of all hurricane deaths historically, including the large losses of life in Galveston in 1900.
b. Property damage caused by storm surge
1) Collapse walls of buildings
2) Float structures and objects from their foundations, to collide with other structures
3) Saturate building materials and furnishings
4) Deposit mud, silt, and organic matter inside structures
5) Cut channels through barrier islands as surge recedes after passage of the storm.
c. Miscellaneous effects of storm surge
1) Electrocution (if power is still on)
2) Snake and other animal infestations
3) Environmental contamination causing public health consequences from damage to sewage facilities and lift stations. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Effect of the hurricane on sea surface height.
2) Measured with respect to height above normal tide level. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Effect of hurricane plus astronomical tide on sea surface height.
2) Measured relative to National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD), defined as mean sea level in 1929 (or as updated in 1988 to NAVD 88).
3) Significance of tide is that the area flooded can vary, depending on whether the storm arrives at high tide, low tide, or in between. |
|
|
Term
| Waves (Factors Affecting) |
|
Definition
a. Depth of water
1) Depth of water is a limiting factor in determining the height of waves.
2) Waves can attain a maximum height before breaking 65% of the depth of water in which they form (e.g., If the water is 10 feet deep, there can be up to a 6.5 foot wave above the still water surface.)
3) Waves will be superimposed on top of storm surge.
b. Wind velocity
1) Waves form in hurricanes due to friction between wind and the ocean surface.
2) Stronger wind will cause bigger waves.c. Fetch
1) Wave build-up will depend upon the distance over which wind is in contact with the ocean surface.
2) Miles of fetch might be required for waves to reach their maximum height.
3) Waves will break near shore or on land, depending upon where the water gets too shallow to support the wave.
4) Waves will begin to reform after breaking, but might not reach their maximum (as determined by water depth) if wind velocities aren’t strong enough or fetch isn’t sufficient. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) Wave build-up will depend upon the distance over which wind is in contact with the ocean surface.
2) Miles of fetch might be required for waves to reach their maximum height.
3) Waves will break near shore or on land, depending upon where the water gets too shallow to support the wave.
4) Waves will begin to reform after breaking, but might not reach their maximum (as determined by water depth) if wind velocities aren’t strong enough or fetch isn’t sufficient. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Battering
1) Water weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot (almost 1700 lbs/cubic yard).
2) Waves breaking against structures exert an immense force, often causing walls and structural components of buildings to collapse.
3) Flotsam, debris, and even houses can be carried from their foundations and battered against other objects.
4) Heavy, non-floating articles, such as large rocks used for beach armoring can be transported by waves and battered into structures.
b. Scour
1) Scour refers to erosion, mainly of sand, caused by breaking waves near the shoreline.
2) Scour can remove the foundation support for buildings, resulting in their collapse.
3) This is often the most visually dramatic form of damage in hurricanes.
4) Slab-on-grade construction (without supporting pilings extending deep beneath the surface) is most susceptible.
5) Even structures on pilings can fail if pilings aren’t deep enough.
6) Even if structures aren’t affected, beach erosion, resulting in narrower beaches, can have a disastrous economic effect in resort areas (for a decade or more, until the beach rebuilds naturally).
c. Uplift, as wave crests while passing beneath elevated structures |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Heavy rainfall accompanies many hurricanes (the “heat engine” that drives hurricane formation and strengthening depends of changes in state of water).
b. Maximum rainfall is estimated by dividing maximum sustained winds by forward speed (e.g., 100 MPH 10 MPH = 10 inches).
c. Slow moving storms cause greater flooding than faster storms, other factors being equal.
d. Heavy rain can overwhelm storm drains and cause localized flooding or much more substantial flooding inland
e. E.g., Agnes in 1972 caused $9 billion in damage [in 2003 dollars], and almost all the damage was from inland flooding in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and the Northeast. Major changes in U.S. disaster relief policy were a result.
f. Between 1970 and 2000, most tropical cyclone deaths in U.S. were from inland freshwater flooding (59% of 600) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Tornadoes often form in the right front quadrant of hurricanes over land.
b. They tend to be associated with the rain bands of the system, outside the region of sustained hurricane-force winds.
c. They are usually weak (< 100 MPH), small, and short lived. |
|
|
Term
| Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale |
|
Definition
Wind Speed Surge Height*
Category (MPH) (Feet) Damage
1 74-95 4-5 Minimal
2 96-110 6-8 Moderate (4 X Cat 1)
3 111-130 9-12 Extensive (40 X Cat 1)
4 131-155 13-18 Extreme (120 X Cat 1)
5 > 155 > 18 Catastrophic (240X Cat 1) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
C. Hurricanes of Category 3 or greater are called “major” hurricanes by the National Weather Service.
D. There have been only three Category 5 hurricanes to strike the U.S. mainland since reliable records have been kept: 1935 in the Florida Keys, and Camille, 1969, in Mississippi, Andrew, in 1992, in Florida.
E. Surge ranges in the table are averages. Actual heights will vary with other storm characteristics (e.g., forward speed) and landfall location.
F. Relative damage magnitudes (e.g., 4 X Cat 1) are averages calculated from historical occurrences, with adjusting for amount of property exposed to damage where the storms struck) |
|
|
Term
| Integrated Kinetic Energy (IKE) |
|
Definition
Considers wind strength and areal extent of winds
b. Ranges from 1 to 6
c. Katrina was a 5.1
d. Predicts surge height better than Saffir-Simpson |
|
|
Term
| Shortest Return Periods (85 miles) (cat 1,2) |
|
Definition
1. Locations with shortest return periods
a. Southeast Florida (4 yrs)
b. Other south Florida (Atlantic and Gulf coasts) (5 to 6 years)
c. Outer Banks of North Carolina (6 years)
d. Southeast Louisiana (6 years)
e. Most of Gulf Coast and south Atlantic coast (7 to 10 years)
f. Cape Cod (12 years)
2. Locations with longest return periods
a. Atlantic Coast north of Massachusetts (28 to 38 years)
b. New Jersey-New York (32 years)
c. Virginia-Maryland-Delaware (21-24 years) |
|
|
Term
| B. Return periods for major hurricanes (Cat. 3, 4, 5) |
|
Definition
1. Southeast Florida (9 years)
2. Other south Florida (10 to 20 years)
3. Outer Banks, North Carolina (18 years)
4. Southeast Louisiana (20 years)
5. Most of Gulf and South Atlantic Coasts (25 to 50 years)
6. Cape Cod (30 years
7. Most of Mid-Atlantic (75 to 100 years)
8. North of Massachusetts (> 100 years) |
|
|
Term
| C. Temporal variations in hurricane activity |
|
Definition
1. Some years are more active than others, and periods of greater than average activity appear to occur in cycles.
2. 1960’s and 70’s saw substantially less activity than 40’s and 50’s, especially for strong storms on the east coast.
3. Mid-90’s activity increased, but too early to indicate a trend.
4. Gray has developed a model for predicting annual tropical cyclone activity, based on at least 12 factors, including:
a. Precipitation in West Africa the previous summer and fall.
b. El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)/La Nina conditions
c. Strength and direction of upper-level winds over the Atlantic (wind shear)
d. Sea surface temperature
5. Gray’s model does not indicate where storms will strike, only the number of storms, their duration, and intensity |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Official season is June through November (99% in that period)
b. 85% in August, September, and October
c. 68% in August and September
d. 39% in September |
|
|
Term
| Forecast and Warning Process |
|
Definition
A. Hurricane forecast process
1. For the federal government, hurricane forecasting for the north Atlantic and eastern Pacific (not including Hawaii) is the task of the National Hurricane Center (NHC, part of the Tropical Prediction Center, National Weather Service), in Miami, Florida
2. For Hawaii forecasts issued by the Honolulu National Weather Service office.
3. For eastern Pacific forecasts issued by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Guam.
4. Several computer models are used.
a. Some make predictions specifically about the location and intensity of the tropical cyclone.
b. Others predict the state of the atmosphere, of which the tropical system is a part.
c. Hurricane behavior is determined largely by the behavior of the meteorological environment in which it exists; predictions of hurricane behavior can be no better than predictions of the general weather patterns which will influence it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) Satellites. Visible and infrared satellites indicate the hurricane center’s location, and estimates of severity.
2) Aircraft
a) Reconnaissance aircraft provide the most reliable and detailed data about hurricanes, including data from devices called dropwindsondes dropped into the storm.
b) Most current flights are by propeller- driven aircraft operated by NOAA and the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
c) A new NOAA jet is providing data regarding upper level steering currents (upper level winds and centers of pressure) which were not available prior to 1997.
d) Data from the jet is expected to improve performance of forecast models.
3) Buoys. Offshore data buoys provide data on surface winds but are too close to shore to help with earlier forecasts.
4) Land based observations.
a) Balloons. Radiosonde instrument packs carried aloft by weather balloons transmit valuable data about meteorological conditions which could influence the hurricane, but the density of such data over most of the Atlantic and Caribbean is poor. Forecasts are better over the Gulf of Mexico because of the data network surrounding it.
b) Radar. NEXRAD radar (e.g., WSR-88D) utilizes doppler and other technologies to provide data about wind velocities and other characteristics but only when the storm nears shore. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a) Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center issue an official forecast based upon their judgment, considering computer predictions and other information.
b) On average, the official forecast is more accurate than any of the computer predictions.
c) The forecasts include
1) Location of the storm
2) Severity of the storm
3) Size of the storm |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Normally issued every six hours.
b. Contains current storm location, conditions, and a general indication of expected changes, including large area which might be struck and when
c. Contains warnings and watches, if applicable
1) Tropical storm watch. Tropical storm conditions (winds 39 to 74 MPH) possible within 48 hours (or less).
2) Tropical storm warning. Tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours.
3) Hurricane watch. Hurricane conditions (winds > 74 MPH) possible within 48 hours.
4) Hurricane warning. Hurricane conditions expected within 36 hours.
5) Warnings typically apply to roughly 300 miles of coastline.
6) Mixes of watches and warnings might apply simultaneously to contiguous areas of shoreline. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a) Time is reported in UTC (universal time coordinates); a.k.a. GMT (Greenwich Mean Time – time in Greenwich, England) and ZULU time.
b) UTC is 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard; 4 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight.
c) Time reported on 2400 clock (military style)
d) E.g., 1800Z = 2PM Eastern Daylight |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a) Velocity (wind speed and forward speed of the storm) are reported in knots (i.e., nautical miles per hour)
b) A knot is 15% faster than a statute mile per hour
c) E.g., 100 knots = 115 MPH. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a) Distance is reported in nautical miles
b) A nautical mile is 15% larger than a statute mile
c) E.g., 200 n. miles = 230 s. miles |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) Regular advisories are issued every six hours
a) 5 AM EDT
b) 11 AM EDT
c) 5 PM EDT
d) 11 PM EDT
2) If a significant change is observed to occur between scheduled advisories a Special Advisory might be issued, but forecasts don’t usually change from the previous advisory.
g. Extended forecasts – The four day (96 hr) and five day (120 hr) forecasts from the NHC were made public for the first time in 2003. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
e. Probability of 34kt, 50kt, and 64 kt winds
f. 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120 hour time frames
g. Numerous locations, including non-coastal cities |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. NHC World Wide Web site (WWW.nhc.noaa.gov) contains graphic displays of forecast information.
b. Watch/Warning areas
c. Average error envelope along the forecast track
d. Wind speed probability contours
e. Current and past wind field (i.e., “cumulative” wind field)
f. Intensity forecast probabilities (Table)
g. Storm surge probabilities
h. “Mariner’s 1-2-3 Rule” graphic
1) 100 n. mile, 200 n. mile, and 300 n. mile forecast error envelopes for 24, 48, and 72 hr forecast positions |
|
|
Term
| Availability of forecasts products |
|
Definition
a. Available on NHC’s web site (and via email)
b. Available via numerous 3rd parties (e.g. Weather Underground, Hurricanealley)
c. Available on numerous hurricane web sites. |
|
|
Term
| Other National Weather Service hurricane warning products |
|
Definition
1. Hurricane Local Statements (HLS)
a. Issued by National Weather Service Warning Forecast Offices (WFOs)
b. Contain information concerning local effects of threatening storms, appropriate responses, actions taken by local government (e.g., evacuation orders).
c. May be issued at any time.
2. Inland High Wind Warnings for Hurricane-Force Winds
a. Issued by WFOs.
b. Intended to call attention of inland residents to hazard posed by hurricane inland.
c. Usually issued within 6 hours of anticipated hurricane-force winds
d. Might be preceded by Watch. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. NHC verifies position and intensity forecasts for each forecast (e.g., 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 120 hrs).
2. Average (mean) forecast errors appear below
Mean Mean
Position Error Intensity Error
in Statute Miles in MPH
Forecast Period (200-10) (2005-09)
12 Hours 41 7
24 Hours 68 13
36 Hours 91 14
48 Hours 113 17
72 Hours 166 21
96 Hours 219 24
120 Hours 275 25
3. Errors have been trending downward (i.e., decreasing) over time, so errors in more recent years are smaller than these, but evacuation times are increasing faster than forecasts are improving.
4. Errors are larger than average for high latitude storms (because of their faster forward speed).
5. Errors in the Gulf of Mexico are smaller than average due to lower latitude and better data regarding steering currents in the atmosphere.
6. Jet reconnaissance aircraft is expected to accelerate the improvement in forecasts. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Prompted evacuation of Florida Panhandle prior to Labor Day weekend
2) Turned east and appeared to be accelerating unexpectedly, causing urgent, late night evacuation of Tampa Bay region
3) Stalled
4) Looped back to the northwest, resulting in second evacuation of Florida panhandle, before making landfall in Mississippi. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Prior to 24 hours preceding landfall, forecasts of intensity were consistently low, as Andrew gradually strengthened from tropical storm to category 4.
2) Increase in forward speed more than 24 hours prior to landfall was not forecast, resulting in loss of response time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
During early evening and night prior to landfall the following day, Opal increased forward speed and increased in intensity unexpectedly.
2) Officials had to decide whether to call for night-time evacuation or wait until daybreak.
3) Delayed departures contributed to heavy traffic congestion and lengthy travel times.
4) Opal unexpectedly weakened considerably just prior to landfall. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Decision making involves components
a. Response lead time. I.e., the number of hours before arrival of a hurricane which response actions must commence in order to ensure their completion.
b. Forecast CPA. I.e., from the NHC’s Tropical Cyclone Forecast/Advisory, determining the storm’s forecast closest point of approach (CPA) and time remaining until CPA. (CPA can refer to hurricane center or winds of a specified velocity [34, 50, or 64 kts]).
c. Forecast uncertainty. Derived from NHC strike probabilities, average error statistics, and other sources.
d. Risk taking policy. Decision makers must decide how often they are willing to over respond and how often they are willing to under respond (e.g., how often they are willing to evacuate and have the storm miss vs. fail to evacuate early enough and have the storm hit). In almost all jurisdictions this is the weak link in decision making. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A. Evacuation refers to leaving buildings and locations deemed unsafe in a hurricane. In most instances it applies to the following:
1. Areas subject to flooding from storm surge.
2. Mobile homes.
3. Other housing unsafe in wind.
4. Areas prone to dangerous flooding from rainfall. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Identifies areas subject to flooding from storm surge.
2. Relies upon computer simulations with NWS computer program named Sea, Lake, and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH)
a. Numerous hypothetical hurricanes are simulated for a coastal basin, varying the:
1) Strength of storm (by Saffir-Simpson category)
2) Forward speed (e.g., 10 vs. 15 MPH)
3) Track (i.e., landfalling, paralleling, exiting)
4) Landfall location
a. Offshore bathymetry
b. Shoreline configuration (e.g., concavity)
5) Angle of approach to shoreline
6) Radius of maximum winds (size of storm)
b. Worst cases for each storm category are overlaid, creating a Maximum Envelope of Water (MEOW).
c. SLOSH map indicates composite of areas which could flood in at least one hurricane of a specified category of storm.
d. Evacuation zone maps. SLOSH composite is used to indicate the areas which would need to evacuate if threatened by a storm of that category.
e. In some places categories are collapsed if insufficient variation exists in areas inundated by categories or cat 5 might be combined with cat 4 due to improbability of cat 5.
f. Many locations use letters (Zones A, B, C) rather than numbers (Zones 1, 2, 3) to recognize importance of factors other than wind velocity in affecting area needing to evacuate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Counts number of people living in each evacuation zone.
2. Counts number of people living in mobile homes.
3. Identifies facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, water treatment plants, schools, and fire and police stations which are located in evacuation areas.
4. Inventory “special needs” populations requiring special assistance in evacuating or care after evacuating.
5. Census data and local planning studies are used. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Predicts how the threatened population will respond to a hurricane threat:
a. How many will evacuate
b. When evacuees will leave, in relation to when an evacuation notice is issued.
c. How many evacuees will go to public shelters.
d. How many evacuees will leave the local area.
e. How many vehicles will be used in the evacuation, how many evacuees will need transportation assistance, rely on public transportation, or take motorhomes or pull trailers. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Intended response surveys. Residents are interviewed and asked how they would respond. Post-evacuation comparisons have demonstrated that people frequently don’t behave as they thought they would, thus making this a highly unreliable technique.
b. Single-event surveys. Residents in the study area are interviewed to document how they actually responded in a past hurricane threat. Most locations haven’t had recent evacuations to document, and in those which have, actual response will vary from one evacuation to another. This is because circumstances of the threat vary from storm to storm, and experiences in one storm can affect response in the next.
c. Empirical response model. Results of interviews conducted to document actual responses in many evacuations in many locations are analyzed to discern patterns of response. The patterns are combined into a model for predicting how response will vary as threat conditions, actions by officials, and characteristics of the population vary. Appropriate values for those variables are identified for the study location and put into the model to predict responses. This approach yields much more accurate results than either of the other approaches.
d. The empirical response model can be supplemented with data from intended-response and single-event surveys to provide the strongest set of behavioral assumptions. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. If public officials are successful at reaching the public with mandatory evacuation orders in strong hurricanes, 90% leave from beach areas, 75% from mainland surge areas, and 10% to 20% from non-surge areas. However, in most evacuations many residents at risk say they did not hear evacuation orders.
2. To ensure high evacuation rates, notices must be disseminated door-to-door or with loudspeakers in neighborhoods.
3. Relying exclusively upon the media will result in substantially lower rates.
4. Provisions must be made to reach populations with language barriers.
5. Weaker storms and less aggressive actions by officials will also result in lower evacuation rates.
6. The most common reason for not evacuating is perceived safety (rather than constraints such as income, transportation, or a place to go).
7. General knowledge about hurricanes has little effect on whether people evacuate. However, belief that one’s own home is subject to dangerous flooding is a good predictor.
8. Hurricane experience is not a strong predictor of future response, but experience is difficult to measure meaningfully. “False experience” (thinking you have been in a stronger hurricane than you have) is not a good predictor of future response.
9. Demographics are not generally strong predictors of response.
10. Few evacuees (less than 15%) leave before officials issue evacuation notices (orders or recommendations). NHC hurricane watches and warnings alone prompt little evacuation behavior.
11. Few evacuees go to public shelters – usually fewer than 15%, and frequently closer to 5%. Most evacuees go to the homes of friends and relatives.
12. The percentage of evacuees leaving their own county is highly variable from place to place but is usually around 50%.
13. Of all the vehicles available to households to take in evacuations, between 65% and 75% are actually used. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Occasionally response is worse than normal, usually because people were convinced the storm would miss and or because they believed their homes would be safe even if the storm struck.
2. Florida Keys, Outer Banks of North Carolina, New Orleans are frequent instances of low evacuation participation rates.
3. When officials are not successful in reaching the public, response has not been good. In Andrew 30% of the residents did not evacuate the beach areas of Dade and Broward Counties in Florida, mainly because people said they didn’t hear from officials that they must evacuate. Similar occurrences have been documented in other evacuations. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Method
a. The areas to be evacuated in each storm category are divided into evacuation transportation zones.
b. Population, dwellings, and vehicles are inventoried.
c. Streets and roads to be used in the evacuation are designated, divided into links and nodes, the characteristics (e.g., number of lanes) and number of vehicles which can be conveyed per hour are noted for each critical link.
d. Numbers of anticipated trips (derived from the behavioral analysis) from each zone are specified, and number of evacuees who could be accommodated with respect to each type of destination (public shelter, hotel, friend/relative) are calculated for each zone.
e. Trips are distributed among zones as origins and destinations, including points where evacuees will leave the region.
f. Trips are assigned to specific roadway segments.
g. Clearance times (the number of hours required to evacuate the area). |
|
|
Term
| 2. Top clearance time locations (some more than 60 hours in worst-case scenarios) |
|
Definition
a. Southwest Florida
b. Southeast Louisiana
c. Tampa Bay Region, Florida
d. Delmarva Peninsula
e. Southeast Florida
f. Florida Keys
g. Cape May County, New Jersey
h. Long Island, New York
i. Savannah, Georgia
j. Virginia Beach/Norfolk, Virginia |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Uses all lanes of limited-access highways (e.g., interstates) for out-bound traffic during evacuation
b. Used effectively in Georgia and South Carolina in Floyd
c. Requires significant personnel resources to implement, can cause bottleneck inland, must have alternative means for emergency vehicles to enter the evacuating location.
d. Can significantly reduce clearance time |
|
|
Term
| Reducing Evacuating Traffic |
|
Definition
Many evacuees go farther than necessary to reach safety. Going to surge-free areas of their local communities will reduce out-of-town traffic and clearance times.
b. Many people from surge-free locations evacuate (shadow evacuation). If they sheltered in place, evacuation traffic and clearance times would be reduced. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Buildings are inventoried which could be used as public shelters.
2. American Red Cross has lead role in staffing and managing shelters in most communities.
3. Red Cross guidelines for shelter selection
a. No shelters to be located on barrier islands
b. No shelters to be located in category 1, 2, 3, or 4 storm surge inundation zones
c. Shelters should be certified by structural engineer to meet wind load standards in ASCE 7-88 (American Society of Civil Engineers) or ANSI A58 (American National Standards Institute) and at a minimum must meet local building code.
d. Avoid
1) Buildings with long or open roof spans
2) Unreinforced masonry buildings
3) Pre-1980 steel prefabricated buildings
4) Buildings with flat or lightweight roofs
5) Buildings with “open” exposure to hurricane winds.
6) Buildings near facilities housing certain types and quantities of hazardous materials.
4. The exclusion of shelters from category 4 surge zones, even in weaker storms, adopted in 1992, has created significant shelter deficits in south Louisiana, the Florida Keys, southwest Florida, and the tidewater area of Virginia.
5. These and other locations are exploring sheltering options which rely less on the Red Cross. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Buildings where people would have the best chance of surviving a hurricane if insufficient time remained to reach safety outside of surge inundation area.
b. Emergency management has been reluctant to implement plans due to concerns (not necessarily justified) about legal liability, safety, negative effect on early evacuation, and difficulties providing post-disaster relief. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Wind damage, including hurricanes, is covered in homeowner’s insurance in most states.
2. Insurance premiums are regulated in all but a few states, and state insurance commissioners can impose various requirements on insurers in order to allow them to operate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Some states such as Texas and Florida have historically required insurers to sell insurance to homeowners in high-risk areas (usually a narrow zone near the beachfront).
b. Insurers, in order to sell elsewhere in the state, were required to sell a certain number of policies in the high-risk areas.
c. Premiums were artificially lower than the insurers would have charged if allowed, with rate payers elsewhere subsidizing the policies of homeowners in the highest-risk areas. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Before Andrew many insurers underestimated the risk from hurricane losses; some industry representatives argued that wind exposure accounted for such a small portion of total homeowner premiums that mitigation efforts (i.e., better construction to reduce damage) could not possibly reduce premiums substantially.
b. Andrew caused $20 to $24 billion in insured losses from wind (in 2003 dollars).
c. Several companies went bankrupt, with their losses being paid to policyholders by a long-standing state fund created from contributions from insurance companies.
d. In the wake of Andrew many companies, including the largest, determined that they needed to reduce their exposure in Florida by selling fewer policies.
e. The state limited the number of policies which companies could cancel and took the excess into its own pool for homeowners unable to obtain insurance elsewhere.
f. Companies also sought to raise rates following Andrew.
1) Companies were charging less, when Andrew struck, than authorized to charge by the state insurance commissioner.
2) Rates were determined more by perceived market conditions than by actuarial analysis.
3) A state technical advisory committee was formed in Florida to evaluate methodologies proposed to calculate actuarial rates.
4) Consumer advocates generally oppose the substantially higher rates resulting from the actuarial methods.
5) Rates have risen significantly since Andrew, with higher deductibles. |
|
|
Term
| g. The industry has questioned its ability to insure against rare events. |
|
Definition
1) Some computer simulation results for insured losses (without additional growth in exposed property):
a) Cat 5 storm landfalling in Miami, exiting at Sarasota, $69 billion
b) Cat 4 storm landfalling New York City, $68 billion
c) Cat 5 storm striking New Jersey, Long Island, then Boston, $55 billion
d) Florida can expect:
i) $10 billion storm every 20 years
ii) $20 billion storm every 50 years
iii) $28 billion storm every 100 years
2) Industry says it can’t maintain the reserves necessary for payouts of such rare events. Revenues in excess of claims are taxed as profits every year, and years for such extreme payouts will be rare. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. If water damage occurs as a result of wind damage (e.g., rain through the roof), loss is covered by homeowner’s policy.
2. Flooding from storm surge, including wave battering and scour, is covered by National Flood Insurance Program (to which points 3-5 below apply).
3. Same general provisions of NFIP applicable to riverine floods applies to hurricanes, but with different zone designations.
4. V-zone (Velocity Zone) is the inundation area in which flooding is deep enough to support a 3 foot breaking wave, usually near the beach.
a. Since 1979 the base floor of structures in the v-zone have been required to be elevated above the storm surge plus wave height in a 100-year hurricane.
b. Bottom floors may be enclosed with breakaway walls but cannot be occupied.
c. Premiums in the V-zone are very heavily subsidized by other rate payers in the program, as a matter of federal policy.
4. A-zone is the remainder (outside the v-zone) of the 100-year storm surge inundation area in which structures must be elevated above the still water height (without waves).
5. As with riverine floods, claims are made that the availability of flood insurance promotes development in hazardous areas, but evidence is anecdotal. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
6. Flood insurance coverage includes
a. Flooding from storm surge, waves, or rainfall from hurricanes
b. Mudslides
c. Fluvial erosion damage to structures (e.g., collapse due to wave scour)
d. Sewer drain backup caused by flooding
e. Structure and contents under separate provisions
f. Mobile homes if properly secured and sited.
7. Flood Insurance is required for residents in “Special Flood Hazard Areas” designated on National Flood Insurance Rate Maps as a condition of Federal disaster assistance.
8. Coverage does not start until five days following purchase.
9. Flood insurance does not cover water damage which occurred only as a result of wind damage (e.g., water damage from rainfall getting into structure as a result of wind damage to the roof) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A. Flooding. Flood provisions usually comply with requirements of the NFIP (elevation above 100-year surge, surge plus waves, or river flood height).
B. Erosion. Some communities and states have additional provisions to address erosion (discussed below under development policies)
C. Wind. Most debate about building codes concerns provisions for preventing damage from wind. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) Developed by the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) in Birmingham, Alabama
2) Used by most jurisdictions from Texas through Virginia
3) Is a performance code, specifying wind loads (pounds per square inch of pressure) which various surfaces must be able to withstand, generally but not entirely consistent with ASCE recommendations.
4) Also has a “Deemed to Comply” document detailing construction practices which will comply with the performance standards (but is not a part of the code, although communities individually may adopt the standards)
5) The code is periodically revised, and not all communities adopt the newest version. |
|
|
Term
| South Florida Building Code |
|
Definition
1) Used in Dade and Broward counties in Florida.
2) Is prescriptive, detailing building practices to be used in complying
3) Before Andrew was widely considered the strongest code for addressing hurricane winds.
4) More damage occurred in Andrew than anticipated
a) Part of the damage in Andrew was attributed to localized strong winds, especially gusts, which exceeded the design standards addressed in the code.
b) Part of the damage was attributed to compliance failure, resulting from poor enforcement
c) Part of the damage was attributed to failure of the original code to keep up with architectural changes which evolved since inception of the code (i.e., earlier construction was primarily single story concrete block [CBS]; newer construction often two-story wood, and construction guidelines did not result in the same performance standards as those for CBS.)
5) Code was revised following Andrew, including a requirement for window protection on new structures. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. IBC (International Building Code)
1) Result of major code organizations collaborating to produce a single code, to standardize requirements. Standard Building Code is being replaced by IBC.
b. Florida Statewide Building Code
1) Replaced the Standard Building Code in most communities in Florida. Requires window protection near the coast.
2) Miami-Dade and Broward Counties allowed to have more strict wind requirements, consistent with old South
Florida Building Code |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1) Construction standards set by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
2) Standards were often criticized before Andrew as too weak, and after Andrew HUD adopted new performance standards for wind loads (1995).
3) New standards are consistent with ASCE recommendations for wind loads
4) Still vulnerable to missile impact and must be securely anchored. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Loads
1) Debate is usually centered on the cost effectiveness of stronger wind loads
2) Rule of thumb is that most current standards address winds of 110 MPH, although it varies with the type of surface and effect being addressed (e.g., roof, corners)
3) Tall buildings must withstand stronger loads at greater heights, as wind increases with distance from the surface (due to decreased friction)
4) Insurance companies are beginning to offer lower premiums in communities with stronger codes.
b. Compliance/enforcement
1) In many jurisdictions building officials don’t have the expertise to ascertain whether a design meets the performance standards in the code.
2) Performance codes often result in the CABO One and Two-family Building Code being used for construction guidance, which has
lower wind performance standards than others.
3) Prescriptive codes (including SSBCI’s Deemed-to-Comply standards), which specify construction methods, are easier to enforce and easier for builders to follow, but are often met with resistance because they require better practice than is the norm.
4) Enforcement is sometimes poor, even when expertise and guidance are adequate. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A. Set-back lines
1. Designed primarily to reduce vulnerability to erosion and wave scour.
2. Requires structures to be located a certain distance inland of mean high tide or to use deep support pilings if built within a certain distance of the water.
3. Might preclude certain types or sizes or structures or kinds of facilities (e.g., swimming pools).
B. Density and intensity of use restrictions
1. Restricts the height of structures and/or number of units per acre.
2. Usually enacted to achieve environmental quality goals as well as hazard reduction.
C. Population caps
1. Sets a limit on the total number of housing units permitted in a coastal area or number of new units permitted per year.
2. May reduce overall damage potential, but usually aimed at controlling the number of people who need to evacuate, although usually motivated by environmental quality concerns.
D. Development impact remedies
1. Requires developers to provide remedies to mitigate impacts of the development.
2. Remedies
a. Reduce the size, location, or nature of the development
b. On-site shelter for evacuees
c. Transportation improvements for evacuation
d. Payment to local government to meet increased emergency management costs.
E. Public acquisition
1. Purchases land to keep loss-prone development out of surge areas.
2. Rare in coastal areas due to price of land.
F. Environmental protection regulations
1. Regulations to protect natural shoreline areas.
2. Main types protect wetlands (preventing dredging and filling, etc.) and protect beaches (preventing dune destruction).
3. Usually motivated by concerns about environmental quality but have the effect of reducing the incidence of loss-prone development in hazardous areas and preserving buffers against storm effects. |
|
|
Term
| Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CoBRA) |
|
Definition
A. Federal law restricting federal expenditures in undeveloped coastal barrier areas
B. NOAA’s Office of Coastal Resource Management designates areas as undeveloped (based on density of development) on barrier islands, spits, peninsulas, etc.
C. Prohibits certain types of expenditures
1) Federal flood insurance
2) Infrastructure (roads, buildings, facilities)
3) Disaster assistance
D. Rationale: Federal government has no authority to regulate land use, but can avoid providing funds to encourage it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A. Seawalls, flood barriers, dikes, levees
1. Prevent storm surge and waves from reaching low-lying areas subject to flooding and scour.
2. Galveston seawall after 1900 hurricane filled the area behind the seawall to the height of the wall (17 feet).
3. Less commonly employed today due to environmental effects and aesthetics (including beach narrowing)
4. See unit on coastal erosion for additional discusssion.
5. Flood barriers prevent surge from entering bays and up rivers (e.g., Narraganset Bay in Rhode Island)
6. Levee systems prevent surge from entering low-lying developed locations from lakes and other flooded areas (e.g., New Orleans, Louisiana) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. Pumping sand onto narrow beaches to increase buffer zone between mean high tide and structures.
2. See unit on coastal erosion for additional discussion. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A. Experiments were conducted to reduce the intensity of peak winds in hurricanes by seeding the eye wall.
B. Program was discontinued due to cost and uncertain results.
C. Not practiced today. |
|
|
Term
| Before Season Basics (Hurricane Safety Rules) |
|
Definition
1. Before Season Basics
a. Know the hurricane risks of your area. Learn the elevation and storm surge history of your area.
b. Learn the evacuation routes and safe routes inland and the location of local shelters. If going inland out-of-county, arrange for a place to stay before leaving home or be prepared to drive over 100 miles before finding lodging. Also expect traffic to be heavy and slower than usual.
c. Determine where you would move your boat in an emergency.
d. Prepare your home
1) Keep your home and yard prepared during season by checking for loose rain gutters and down spouts. Trim back dead wood from trees, collection will be stopped after a warning has been issued it will be too late. Strong winds can turn loose objects like curbside limbs into an airborne hazard.
2) Purchase all materials needed to protect your property and yourself such as plywood and hurricane shutters and emergency generators. Check all hurricane equipment to make sure it is in working order.
3) Assemble an emergency kit including 3 day water supply, little or no cook foods, portable radio, batteries, flashlights, blankets/sleeping bags for each, can opener, cooking supplies and a self contained power source.
4) Make provisions for your pet’s safety. Pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters. Check with local officials to see if some specially-designated shelters have place for pets or whether animal care organizations offer options.
e. Insurance Preparations
1) Check your insurance policy and make sure you have proper and current coverage. Know the name and location of your insurance contact source.
2) Take inventory of your property and personal items. Ideally you should both list and photograph items and place them in a safe deposit box or other secure place with all other property deeds and policies.
f. Meet with your family and have both a home and evacuation plan and tell it to a friend or family member not at risk.
g. Register with the local emergency management agency any persons with disabilities that could hinder evacuation, who would need special care in shelters, or who depend upon electricity for operation of special medical devices. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Have a basic idea whether you will stay or leave if a hurricane threatens.
1) Examine your building for possible structural failure paying special attention to storm surge information. Know all you options to make an educated decision, ALWAYS leave if told to do so.
2) If you live in a mobile home, near a river or flood plain plan to leave.
3) If you live on high ground away and are away from the surge zone plan to stay.
4) Your community should have maps showing areas needing to evacuate in various categories of storms – get a copy and find your location.
b. Execute your plan in mock practice runs with your family.
c. Get a hurricane tracking map and learn how to plot the storms progression. Know the various storm definitions, hurricane categories and potential affects they will have on you. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. During a Watch ( 48 hours before landfall)
a. Keep current updates on hurricane status reports. Look for official bulletins on radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts.
b. Gather additional items for your emergency kit including any necessary medicines or drugs prescription or otherwise, specialty items for infants, elderly or disabled persons, valuable papers and cash. You may wish to additionally stock items such as batteries water and canned foods.
c. Prepare your home.
1) Install hurricane shutters or plywood to windows to prevent shattering; tape alone will NOT work.
2) Reinforce entry doors (especially double doors) and garage doors to prevent breaching by wind.
3) Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent their lifting from their tracks.
4) Prepare to secure or place inside any outside furniture or other objects that could be picked-up by the winds such as plants, ornaments and trash cans.
5) Elevate furniture if flooding is possible.
6) Store valuables in waterproof container and place in a secure, high location inside the house.
d. If you are planning to evacuate, consider doing so during the watch to save time and avoid crowded roads.
e. Leave if told to do so by public authorities.
f. If you are planning to stay you have the option to wait but have the necessary items on standby, ready for quick installment.
g. Moor small craft or move it to the designated safety area.
h. Check mobile home tie downs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Remain tuned in to hurricane status reports.
b. Complete preparation activities such as storing or securing lose outside objects. Install shutters if not done previously.
c. Follow instructions of authorities.
d. If Evacuating:
1) Leave mobile homes in any case.
2) Leave early preferably daylight and seek shelter at a predesignated safety area outside a flood zone.
3) Take preassembled emergency kit and its additional items. You may wish to include such things as cards, games and books to occupy time during the storm and before you are allowed to return. For safety reasons, it could be quite a wait.
4) Don’t go farther than necessary to reach safety, unless you have plenty of time
e. If Staying Home
1) Only stay if NOT told to leave.
2) Turn refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when necessary.
3) Turn off propane tanks.
4) Turn off utilities if told to do so.
5) Unplug small appliances.
6) Fill bathtub and large containers with water for sanitary purposes.
C. During the Hurricane |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. Stay INDOORS!
b. Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway.
c. Close all interior doors. Secure and brace external doors.
d. If you are in a two-story house, go to an interior first-floor room, such as a bathroom or closet.
e. If you are in a multi-story building and away from the water, go to the first or second floors and take refuge in the halls or other interior rooms away from windows.
f. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
g. Keep radio on and tuned in to broadcast reports. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
a. BEWARE the EYE of the storm. The calm time DOES NOT signify the end of the hurricane. After the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.
b. BE ALERT for tornadoes which are often spawned by hurricanes. If you hear a train-like sound or reports of a tornado seek IMMEDIATE refuge in a bathtub placing a mattress, ideally, or other protective object over you. |
|
|
Term
| After the Hurricanes Precautions |
|
Definition
General Precautions
a. Do not go out onto streets unless you have to!
b. Keep listening to radio, TV or NOAA Radio for news about what to do, where to go or places to avoid.
c. Avoid standing water it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
d. Do not use any electrical item that has come in contact with water.
e. Do not go sight seeing. Stay away from affected areas unless you are qualified help. Your presence could hamper emergency rescues and create its own hazard.
f. Avoid trees, signs, buildings and other structures that appear damaged.
2. If Driving/Walking in Affected Area
a. Only travel if you must.
b. Stay on firm ground. Avoid weakened bridges and washed out roads.
c. Do not drive/walk into flooded areas. Two feet of water can carry away most cars. Six inches of water can sweep you off your feet.
d. Stay away from river and canal banks. Weakened earth could collapse beneath you. |
|
|
