Hurricanes

By Terry Sovil from the November 2011 Edition

Well, JOVA came to visit! Jova made landfall near Chamela in the state of Jalisco with maximum sustained winds of 160km/h (100mph), the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. Jova, classed as a category two storm, made landfall at 23:00 local time (11:00pm Tuesday 10/11). Chamela is 130km (90 miles) northwest of Manzanillo. Forecasters warned of coastal flooding along a 340km (210 mile) stretch between Manzanillo and Cabo Corrientes. Don Harrop, Mismo Sol Youth Hostel in Santiago, reported heavy rain, 195mm or 7.67”, in the gauge since noon yesterday at 8:30am on Wed, 10/12.

Hurricanes are complex storms that gather heat and energy from warm ocean water. Evaporation from the seawater rises and increases their power and formation. Hurricanes in the northern half of the world rotate counter-clockwise around the “eye.” The very center of the hurricane is called the “eye”. It has light winds and fair weather. If a hurricane comes ashore it can cause flooding, heavy rains and serious damage. They are called “Hurricanes”, “Cyclones” or “Typhoons” depending on the area of the world they occur. In the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Eastern Pacific Ocean, they are called hurricanes. In the Western Pacific Ocean, they are called typhoons. In the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and Australia, these types of storms are called cyclones.

Hurricanes need warm ocean water of 80°F (27°C) or warmer to form. The air must cool quickly the higher you go. The wind must be blowing in the same direction and at the same speed to force air upward from the ocean surface. Winds flow outward above the storm allowing the air below to rise. Hurricanes typically form between 5 to 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator. The Coriolis Force is needed to create the spin in the hurricane and it becomes too weak near the equator, so hurricanes can never form there. (See the cross-section diagram.)

Storm surge is the most devastating element of a hurricane. As a hurricane’s winds spiral around the storm, they push water into a mound at the storm’s center. This mound of water causes flooding along the coast. A hurricane will cause more storm surge where the ocean floor slopes gradually. This causes major flooding. (See the storm surge diagrams at end of section.)

Computer models, called Slosh Models, allow forecasters to predict the amount of storm surge that will affect a coastal area. They account for a storms strength, path, how the ocean shallows and the shape of the land. From this it can calculate how much storm surge will probably result.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with most hurricanes during the fall months. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season is from May 15 to November 30. Earlier storms in the Eastern Pacific tend to move more out to sea but later in the seasons conditions are right for them to make landfall, though not often.

From 1950 to 1952, tropical cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean were identified and named based on the military phonetic alphabet (Able-Baker-Charlie etc.). In 1953 the USA Weather Bureau switched to using women’s names. It was a popular decision that caught on. Naming is now handled by the World Meteorological Organization. They create and use sets of names depending on the part of the world the storm is in. Around the U.S.A., only women’s names were used until 1979, and then they began to alternate a list that included men’s names too. There are six different name lists that alternate each year. If a hurricane causes significant damage, its name is retired and replaced with another. Before a hurricane you should have a disaster plan and a pet plan ready. If necessary board up or tape windows and bring in outdoor items that could blow away or become missiles in a wind. Make sure you know where you are by name (city, state, street address etc.) and where the evacuation routes are.

It can be prudent to have an emergency kit for your home and car. See the table for a list of specific items that the kit may contain. This goes beyond a first aid kit!

During a hurricane avoid low areas that may flood. Stay indoors during a hurricane, strong winds may blow things with deadly force. If your home is on low ground, consider going to a friends or to a shelter. If emergency managers say to evacuate, then do so immediately.

After a hurricane, stay inside until it is safe to go out. Use caution and do not put yourself in danger but look for injured or trapped people. Watch for flooding! Do not attempt to drive into flood waters. Avoid standing water as it could be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.

Disaster Emergency Kit

• Water – at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days ^Ø Food – at least enough for 3 to 7 days

 

— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices

— foods for infants or the elderly

— snack foods

— non-electric can opener

— cooking tools / fuel

— paper plates / plastic utensils

• Blankets / Pillows, etc.
• Clothing – seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

 

• First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

 

• Special Items – for babies and the elderly

 

• Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

 

• Flashlight / Batteries

 

• Radio – Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

 

• Telephones – Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

 

• Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards – Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

 

^vKeys

 

^vToys, Books and Games

 

• Important documents – in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag

 

— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

 

^vTools – keep a set with you during the storm

 

^vVehicle fuel tanks filled

 

• Pet care items

— proper identification / immunization records / medications

— ample supply of food and water

— a carrier or cage

 

— muzzle and leash

 

	Terminology
TROPICAL	Tropical Storm conditions, sustained winds
STORM WATCH	from 39 -74 mph, are possible within the
	next 36 hours.
TROPICAL STORM	Tropical Storm conditions are expected in
WARNING	your area within the next 24 hours.
HURRICANE	Hurricane conditions, sustained winds of 74
WATCH	mph or greater, are possible within the next
	36 hours. This WATCH should trigger your
	family’s disaster plan (protect property,
	boats, pets, evacuate).
HURRICANE	Hurricane conditions are expected in your
WARNING	area within 24 hours. Once this WARNING
	has been issued your disaster should be
	implemented or near completion.
COASTAL FLOOD	The possibility exists for the inundation of
WATCH	land areas along the coast within the next 12
	to 36 hours.
COASTAL FLOOD	Land areas along the coast are expected to
WARNING	become, or have become, inundated by sea
	water above the typical tide action.
SMALL CRAFT	A small craft advisory is a type of warning
ADVISORY	issued by the National Weather Service
	when winds have reached, or are expected to
	reach within 12 hours, a speed marginally
	less than that which is considered gale force,
	usually 25-38 mph

Category				Surge	Damage
	(MPH)	(Millibars)	(Inches)	(Feet)
1	74-95	<980	<28.94	4′-5′	Minimal
2	96-110	979-965	28.91-	6′-8′	Moderate
			28.50
3	111-	964-945	28.47-	9′-12′	Extensive
	130		27.91
4	131-	944-920	27.88-	13′-18′	Extreme
	155		27.17
5	>155	<920	<27.17	>18′	Catastrophic

 

 

Tropical  Wave     A low pressure trough moving generally westward with the trade winds.

 

Tropical Disturbance  d area of thunderstorms that usually forms in the tropics. Typically, they maintain their identity for 24 hours and are accompanied by heavy rains and gusty winds.

 

 

Tropical Cyclone          A generic term for any organized low pressure that develops over tropical and sometimes sub-tropical waters. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all example of tropical cyclones.

Tropical        An organized area of low pressure in which sustained winds are 38 mph or less.

Depression

 

Tropical        A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds that range from 39 to 73 mph.

Storm

 

_Hurricane      A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

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