The Thunderbolt -- Hurricane Safety
The Thunderbolt -- Hurricane Safety
Overview
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This page details safety measures for tropical storms and hurricanes...before, during,
and after the storm. Credit is given to The American Red Cross,
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and
The Weather Channel for much of this information.
NOTE: This information is not intended to be used to make life or death decisions.
As you know, if you have studied past hurricanes, they seldom maintain constant course and
speed. Please don't use tracking programs to predict a storm's path. Instead, please follow
the advice of your local authorities. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
The most important thing to remember about tropical storms and hurricanes is to take issued
watches and warnings seriously. Strong tropical storms and minimal hurricanes usually
cause minor damage, but do present dangerous situations like falling trees, flying debris,
storm surge, and flooding. Hurricanes the magnitude of Camille or the Galveston Hurricane
of 1900 present catastrophic conditions. The greatest danger of a hurricane is the large
amount of rainfall...followed by the wind.
Over the past fifty years, millions of people
have moved to coastal communities, partcularly to the coastal areas of Florida. Many of
these residents have never experienced a major hurricane. They should be aware of the
dangers of a hurricane, and understand the importance of hurricane watches and warnings.
The information gathered at the National Hurricane Center
is not only important in tracking a hurricane, but is also used to warn the public of the
storm's approach. Formal advisories are written and issued by the National Hurricane Center
to inform the public of the storm's location, intensity, and movement. The public is also
advised of any precautions to be taken as the storm approaches.
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Tropical Weather Watch
When forecasters determine that a tropical storm or hurricane may threaten a coastal area
or group of islands within a 24 to 36 hour period, a watch is issued. If a watch is issued
for your area, you will need to follow the safety rules shown below:
1) If you live in a coastal area or on an island, make yourself aware of the nearest
shelter or evacuation route.
2) Be aware of the latest advisories issued by the National Hurricane Center.
Keep informed of changing weather conditions by watching The Weather Channel,
your local radio or television stations, or by tuning into your local NOAA
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio station...from 162.40 to 162.55
Megahertz on the Public Service Band.
3) Make sure that there is plenty of fuel in your car. If you are asked to evacuate
your area, you do not want to lose time waiting in long lines at the gas station!
4) Stock up on canned goods that can easily opened, water and any special medications
that you must take.
5) Secure any loose materials found outside your home. Strong winds can easily make
these items projectiles that will go through unprotected windows, etc.
6) Be sure that you have flashlights, new batteries and a first aid kit available.
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Tropical Weather Warning
When forecasters at the National Hurricane Center
determine that tropical storm or hurricane force winds will affect a coastal area or a group
of islands in a short period of time, they will issue a warning (usually within a 24 hour
period). It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you observe by the following safety rules:
1) Follow the instructions of local officials. Leave the area if you are asked to do
so.
2) If you live in a mobile home, go to a Red Cross,
Emergency Management, or Local County approved shelter.
3) Evacuate coastal areas that may be affected by a storm surge. Head for higher
ground immediately!
4) Fill containers with fresh drinking water, as well as water for bathing, toilet use, etc.
5) Turn your refrigerator temperature control to the coldest setting. This will
allow your food to keep longer if you lose electricity in your area. If this occurs, power may
be out for several days.
6) If you are caught in the eye of the hurricane, stay put, and DO NOT GO OUTSIDE!!
Strong winds and heavy rain can return within a matter of minutes from the opposite direction!!
7) After the storm passes, be on the lookout for downed power lines, especially those
that have fallen into water.
8) A storm surge can drive poisonous snakes from their usual habitats. Be on the
lookout for them.
9) If your electricity has gone out for any length of time, eat canned food to avoid
food poisoning from spoiled food.
10) Beware of weakened tree limbs or downed power lines. You can be hurt or killed
long after the hurricane is gone.
11) Use the telephone only if it is an emergency.
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After The Storm Is Over
There are numerous safety issues to consider after the storm is over, as follows:
1) Watch for downed power lines and weak building structures that could cause injury
or death. Be careful not to drink the water if its been ruined.
2) Inspect your home for damage and report any utility or power line damage that
could bring immediate danger to you, your family, or your neighbors.
3) If you have gone to an inland location or shelter, stay there until all warnings
have been lowered, and it's safe to return home. For some storms, it will take a long time
for the storm surge to lower...especially inlets and back bays.
4) Follow instructions from your county officials on areas that have been blocked
off. Don't try to sightsee in a devastated area. You'll only get in the way of emergency
agencies crews and agencies trying to help...and you could face arrest by local authorities.
5) Assess and report the damage to your insurance carrier to help start repairs.
6) If a major storm like Andrew, or Hugo, hits your area...be prepared for a LONG
recovery time. You'll want to make arrangements to find living quarters, or a shelter that
you can stay at if your home has been destroyed or heavily damaged. It could be months to a
year or even longer, before everything gets back to normal.
7) Volunteer if you wish, to help people where you can that were hit by the storm.
Best to do this through a county agency like the local chapter of The American Red Cross.
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Terms To Know
By international agreement, tropical cyclone is the general term for all cyclonic
circulations originating over tropical waters, classified by form and intensity as
follows:
TROPICAL DISTURBANCE
Rotary circulation slight or absent at the surface, but sometimes better developed aloft,
no closed isobars (lines of equal atmospheric pressure) and no strong winds, a common
phenomenon in the tropics.
TROPICAL DEPRESSION
One or more closed isobars and some rotary circulation at surface, highest wind speed 39
miles per hour (34 knots).
TROPICAL STORM
Closed isobars, distinct rotary circulation, highest wind speed of 73 miles per hour
(34-63 knots).
HURRICANE
Closed isobars, strong and very pronounced rotary circulation, wind speed of 74 miles per
hour (64 knots) or more.
THE SAFFIR/SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE
The Saffir/Simpson Hurricane scale is an index which attempts to relate hurricane intensity
to damage potential. This descriptive scale, which ranges over a scale of 1 to 5, is
summarized below: (From NOAA Technical Memorandum NWS NHC 22,
''A Tropical Cyclone Data Tape for the North Atlantic Basin, 1886-1983:
Contents, Limitations, and Uses'', B. R. Jarvinen, C. J. Neumann, and M. A. S. Davis,
March 84)
Category 1:
Winds of 74 to 95 miles per hour. Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and
unanchored mobile homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly
constructed signs. And/or: Storm surge 4 to 5 feet above normal. Low-lying coastal roads
inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings.
Category 2:
Winds of 96 to 110 miles per hour. Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some
trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly
constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door
damage. No major damage to buildings. And/or: Storm surge 6 to 8 feet above normal. Coastal
roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of
hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected
anchorage torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying island
areas required.
Category 3:
Winds of 111 to 130 miles per hour. Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down.
Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of
buildings; some window and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile
homes destroyed. And/or: Storm surge 9 to 12 feet above normal. Serious flooding at coast
and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by
battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water
3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet or less above sea level
flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks
of shoreline possibly required.
Category 4:
Winds of 131 to 155 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive
damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many small
residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. And/or: Storm surge 13 to 18 feet above
normal. Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded as far as 6 miles. Major
damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering waves and
floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before
hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences
within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single story residences on low ground
within 2 miles of shore.
Category 5:
Winds greater than 155 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to
roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors.
Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering
of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned
or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. And/or: Storm surge greater than 18
feet above normal. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above
sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3
to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low
ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required.
SMALL-CRAFT ADVISORY
When a hurricane moves within a few hundred miles of the coast, advisories warn small-craft
operators to take precautions and not to venture into the open ocean.
GALE WARNING
When winds of 38-55 miles per hour (33-48 knots) are expected, a gale warning is added to
the advisory message.
STORM WARNING
When winds of 55-73 miles per hour (48-63 knots) are expected, a storm warning is added to
the advisory message. Gale and storm warnings indicate the coastal area to be affected by
the warning, the time during which the warning will apply, and the expected intensity of
the disturbance. When gale and storm warnings are part of a tropical cyclone advisory, they
may change to a hurricane warning if the storm continues along the coast.
HURRICANE WATCH
If the hurricane continues its advance, and threatens coastal and inland regions, a
hurricane watch is added to the advisory, covering a specific area and duration. A
hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are a real possibility; it does not mean
they are imminent. When a hurricane watch is issued, everyone in the area covered by the
watch should listen for further advisories, and be prepared to act quickly if hurricane
warnings are issued.
HURRICANE WARNING
When hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours, a hurricane warning is added to
the advisory. Hurricane warnings identify coastal areas in which winds of at least 74
miles per hour are expected to occur. A warning may also describe coastal areas in which
dangerously high water or exceptionally high waves are forecast, even though winds may be
less than hurricane force. When a HURRICANE WARNING is issued, all precautions should be
taken immediately. Hurricane warnings are seldom issued more than 24 hours in advance.
If the hurricane's path is unusual or erratic, the warnings may be issued only a few hours
before the beginning of hurricane conditions. Precautionary actions should begin as soon
as a hurricane warning is announced.
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