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The Realities of Hurricanes

The Realities of Hurricanes . Robert D Macedo Director of Operations of the VoIP Hurricane Net ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Web: www.voipwx.net Email: kd1cy@voipwx.net

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The Realities of Hurricanes

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  1. The Realities of Hurricanes Robert D Macedo Director of Operations of the VoIP Hurricane Net ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Web: www.voipwx.net Email: kd1cy@voipwx.net Slides provided and heavily leveraged from NWS Taunton Massachusetts Realities of New England Hurricanes Power Point Presentation. Special thanks to KB1GHX-Glenn Field, NWS Taunton Warning Coordination Meteorologist for providing this presentation.

  2. Nature's Awesome Power! Hurricane Isabel – September 2003

  3. Objectives • What makes an active hurricane season? • What are the primary weather hazards we need to be prepared for?

  4. So what makes an active season?

  5. Critical component: Sea Temps!

  6. Warm sea temps = greater potential

  7. HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Before a storm threatens When a storm threatens Weather information sources Clues to an increasing threat Concluding thoughts

  8. HURRICANE PREPAREDNESSBEFORE A HURRICANE THREATENS • Have a storm preparedness plan (boat owners and home owners) • Means to know if a storm threatens • Know policies/procedures of where boat is moored • Know options: • Haul boat out of water? • Secure in place? • Move to safer anchorage and secure? • Do you need to evacuate home? • Where would you go? • How much time to get there? • If going to a shelter, pet arrangements? • Ready access to insurance policies for boat and home • Know coverage limits and have pictures of boat • Know how to reach claim agents

  9. PRE SEASON BOATER CHECKLIST • Check key phone numbers (marina, insurance agent, etc.) • Coordinated your storm preparedness plan with caretaker/marina • Batteries fully charged • Cleats checked • Chafe gear stored/labeled • Sufficient line • Suitable anchors • Bilge pumps, if applicable • Hatches water tight • Moorings • Inspected • Adequate for potential storm surge, wind and waves Hurricane Bob (August 19, 1991)

  10. PREPAREDNESS FOR THE COASTAL HOMEOWNER Find out if you are in a potential evacuation zone or not If might have to evacuate, know where to go and how to get there Have shutters or plywood on hand, if may need to protect windows Know electrical, water, gas shut off valves Review working condition of emergency equipment – including flashlights and battery powered radios Have cache of non-perishable food and water

  11. COASTAL HOME PREPAREDNESS Board up windows if sustained wind speeds may reach 60 mph or greater • Use storm shutters or plywood • Install correctly to avoid these items becoming missiles • Do not tape windows

  12. WHEN CONSTRUCTING ON THE COAST Hurricane clips Hurricane straps

  13. IMPLICATIONS FOR SKYSCRAPERS

  14. Monitor weather developments Put your plan into action Allow time buffer – remember major New England hurricanes accelerate and may arrive hours sooner than forecasted WHEN A HURRICANE THREATENS

  15. Boat may not be only item you need to move! When hurricane threatens, remember also to: • Secure potentially dangerous items such as propane tanks • Collect/store loose objects such as lawn furniture, trash cans, etc. • Board up windows and doors if exposed to high winds (5/8” thick plywood)

  16. OTHER PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS WHEN HURRICANE THREATENS • Check supply of batteries • Never use candles • Check supply of nonperishable food and water • Fill-up with gas and money • Gas pumps and ATMs rely on power • Check medical prescriptions • Make sure you don’t need to evacuate • Turn refrigerator to coldest setting • Help your neighbors • Including owners of boats surrounding yours • One bad mooring can mean disaster for many

  17. AND HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS • On land and sea • For boat owners, one bad mooring can mean disaster for many

  18. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE INFORMATION

  19. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICEWORKING AS A TEAM • Tropical Prediction Center • Coordinates with local Weather Forecast Offices • Coordinates with emergency managers and media on national level • Issues official forecast track • Local Weather Forecast Offices Across the US • Coordinates with emergency managers and media in their County Warning Area. • Focuses on threats at the local/regional level.

  20. Tropical Prediction Center meteorologists are the “specialists” Weather Forecast Office meteorologists are the “general practitioners” NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

  21. WEATHER INFORMATION SOURCES • Internet • www.weather.gov • Click on area on map that you live in for information from your local office. • NOAA Weather Radio • Coast Guard transmissions • Commercial sources

  22. TROPICAL CYCLONE DEFINITIONS • TROPICAL DEPRESSION – Organized system with maximum sustained winds less than 34 knots (39 mph) • TROPICAL STORM – Well defined circulation with maximum sustained winds 34 – 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) • HURRICANE – Sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph) or higher

  23. HURRICANE CATEGORIESSaffir-Simpson Scale • Category 1 – sustained winds 74 to 95 mph • Edouard in 1996 (Labor Day Weekend) • Gloria in 1985 • Category 2 – sustained winds 96 to 110 mph • Bob in August 1991 • Category 3 – sustained winds 111 to 130 mph • 1938 Hurricane, 1944 Hurricane, Carol (1954), Edna (1954) • Category 4 – sustained winds 131 to 155 mph • Hugo (1989) • Category 5 – sustained winds > 155 mph • 1935 Keys Hurricane, Camille (1969), Andrew (1992)

  24. Key on approach of first tropical storm force squalls – not the eye!

  25. ALLOW FOR FORECAST ERROR!

  26. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS?

  27. Do not even think about staying with your boat during a tropical storm or hurricane …unless you own a very large vessel and plan to put out to sea

  28. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS History gives us a clue to what can happen, but our experience can be misleading

  29. While we should enjoy the tremendous beauty of our coastline…

  30. Natural Calamity Strikes At About The Time When One Forgets Its Terror! ...Japanese Proverb

  31. Future Presentations • For the March VoIP Hurricane Net Presentation, we will focus on reporting criteria and information that we’d like to pass on the net and the net’s role in supporting the National Hurricane Center Amateur Radio Station WX4NHC. • For the April VoIP Hurricane Net, we will review the National Hurricane Conference and the net’s involvement in that conference.

  32. Thank you! Rob Macedo (KD1CY) Web: www.voipwx.net Email: kd1cy@voipwx.net Director of Operations of the VoIP Hurricane Net ARES SKYWARN Coordinator for NWS Taunton Eastern Massachusetts ARES Section Emergency Coordinator Hurricane Isabel – September 2003

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