Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
ERE WEATHER
SEV
AWA
RENESS WEEK
1
EMERGENCY KIT
2
Think ahead and have a plan: Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
monthly.
Plan how you will get together in different
Learn how to turn off gas, electric, water and
situations.
heater systems at main breaker switches.
Practice your plans with your family.
Learn First-Aid and CPR.
Have a contact list.
Discuss basic safety rules.
If phones are down, pick 2 meeting places:
Make sure children know what to do if they
1. Near your home are home alone.
2. Somewhere outside the Plan for elderly or disabled family members
neighborhood and neighbors.
Discuss what to do if you must evacuate.
3
BE INFORMED
Learn about the different threats: Stay calm, have plans ready, and listen
- Severe Weather for instructions from local officials.
- Fire If you have questions, call your county
- Hazardous Materials (biological, emergency management office.
chemical, explosive or radiological) Go to www.FloridaDisaster.org.
- Nuclear
Get kids' activities and information at
www.KidsGetaPlan.com.
GET
READY
NOW!
I
t’s 3 a.m. and you are awoken by a leave the closet and see what happened – dio alert you to National Weather Service
thunderstorm outside. The lightning and to turn off the NOAA Weather Radio severe weather information, but in
flashes and lights up your bedroom; that was still broadcasting tornado warn- partnership with county, state, and fed-
the thunder booms and vibrates the ing information for other nearby towns. eral emergency management officials, it
house. You have been through numerous You just survived a tornado. will alert you to other life-threatening
thunderstorms and know that they can How important is a 24-hour notifica- disasters.
be loud and scary, but after a while they tion of possible severe weather warnings NOAA Weather Radios can be pur-
will move away. Your thoughts are inter- to you? It can be life-saving, as was the chased at many retail stores that sell
rupted by a loud alarm. It is the little radio case above. electronic merchandise, as well as
on your mom’s bedside table, the NOAA NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio through some mail order catalogs and on
Weather Radio. Suddenly, you hear some- is the lone government-operated radio the Internet.
thing else, a faint roaring noise…then it system that provides National Weather
gets louder and closer. A sound kind of Service severe weather warnings 24 hours
like a train… a day. When a severe weather warning is
Suddenly, your dad bursts through the issued for an area, the radio will broadcast
door yelling for you to get up – grabbing the information within seconds. If you live
your arm, and pulling you out of bed. As in the path of the severe storm, and your
you run down the hall with him, your family has a NOAA Weather Radio, the
mom and little brother join you as you radio will automatically sound an alarm
rush toward your parent’s bedroom. and then broadcast the warning message. NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio
You all pile into the closet – it’s in Whether it is 3 a.m. or 3 p.m., the can mean the difference between life and
the middle of the house and NOAA Weather Radio is always death. The radio broadcast continues to
away from windows. ready to alert you and your give its listeners the ability to constantly
Your dad closes the family of an approaching monitor the weather and to instantly warn
door as the elec- weather threat. them when potentially life-threatening se-
tricity cuts off, and In addition to severe weath- vere weather approaches their location.
you huddle together er information, the NOAA For more information please visit
in the dark. The roar Weather Radio will also broadcast the National Weather Service NOAA
continues to get louder, weather observation and forecast in- All-Hazards Weather Radio Website at
and you can just make out formation. The radios are set in “standby” www.weather.gov/nwr.
a voice in the bedroom. It is mode so they are not constantly produc-
the NOAA Weather Radio. Even though ing audio. However, even in standby mode Be WeatherWise;
the power just went out, the battery in the radio will still transmit an alarm if a not Otherwise.
the radio keeps it broadcasting: “This is severe weather watch or warning is issued
a dangerous situation; seek protective for your location. By Angela Enyedi,
shelter immediately. The tornado is ap- Not only will the NOAA Weather Ra- NWS Jacksonville
proaching…”
The roaring noise is now deafening, and
the house is shaking. You can hear things Heavy sleeper?
just beyond the closet door breaking,
crashing and pounding. You shrink into Hard of hearing?
the corner of the closet wedged between A disability accessory kit is now
your parents as they repeatedly tell you available through HomeSafe In-
and your brother things will be okay. corporated. This accessory kit in-
After a few minutes, the roaring fades cludes a pillow shaker and strobe
and rumbles of thunder become distant. light which plugs into your NOAA
You can tell it is almost over. Then you Weather Radio. There is no pro-
gramming necessary.
hear another sound in the distance com-
The accessory kit will automatically
ing closer. This time it is not a roar, but alert you if a warning is issued for
sirens. Help is on the way. It is time to your area.
W
ith an average of 1.4 the United States. and cloud. When a connection is made, a
million cloud-to-ground powerful flash occurs. This bright flash we
lightning strikes each What causes lightning see is lightning.
year, no other state in and thunder?
the country experiences more lightning Thunder is a product of lightning. As
strikes than Florida. Why does Florida As a thunderstorm forms, warm air close lighting moves between the ground and
have this distinction? Florida’s geography to the ground begins to rise. Small water thunderstorm, the air around the flash
plays a large role, especially during the droplets are forced upward, higher in the heats rapidly, to temperatures as high as
summer. Hot summer sunshine heats thunderstorm, and freeze into small ice 50,000°F – a temperature hotter than the
the ground, causing warm air to rise. pellets or even smaller ice crystals. The surface of the sun. This sudden heating
Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico to lighter ice crystals continue rising toward creates expansion of the air around the
the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the the top of the thunderstorm, while heavier lightning bolt at speeds greater than the
east, active afternoon sea breezes gener- ice pellets remain suspended near the cen- speed of sound. The expanding air breaks
ate a very moist environment favorable ter or base of the storm. This movement the sound barrier resulting in the explosive
for the development of thunderstorms. of ice particles within a thunderstorm cre- sound we know as thunder. Because sound
The combination of warm and moist ates an electrical charge difference, a posi- travels much slower than light, thunder is
air spreading inland with the afternoon tive charge at the top and a negative one at always heard after a flash of lightning. You
sea breezes creates a breeding ground the bottom. At the same time, the ground can determine how far away a flash of
for large thunderstorms. Because thun- below takes on a positive charge. When lightning is by counting the number of sec-
derstorm activity peaks in the summer, the difference in electrical charge between onds that pass after observing a lightning
when most people are enjoying the warm the base of the thunderstorm and ground bolt. For every five seconds that elapse,
weather, Florida often has the greatest below becomes too large, an electrical the lightning is one mile away. Sometimes,
number of lightning fatalities each year in current begins moving between the ground you can see lightning in the distance and
If it is not raining, then there is no danger from Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may
lightning. occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.
The rubber soles of the shoes or rubber tires on a car Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no
will protect you from being struck by lightning. protection from lightning. The steel frame of a hard-
topped vehicle provides increased protection if you
are not touching metal. Although you may be injured if
lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a
vehicle than outside.
Heat lightning occurs after very hot summers days and Heat lightning is a term used to describe lightning from
poses no threat. thunderstorm too far away for the thunder to be heard.
Although rare, lightning can still travel up to 25 miles
from the storm and people should still be cautious of
lightning dangers.
Lightning never strikes the same place twice. Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly,
especially if it is a tall, pointy, and isolated object.
Structures with metal or metal on the body attract Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant
lightning. factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike.
The presence of metal makes virtually no difference on
where lightning strikes.
not hear thunder. This “heat lightning” extensive range. Lightning can travel as far At the first sign of lightning or sound of
happens when the air dissipates the sound as 10 miles from a thunderstorm, so while thunder, you should immediately head
of the thunder before it reaches you. it may not be raining at your location, inside an enclosed structure and remain
lightning can still reach you. away from windows. Even while inside, it
Lightning dangers is important to stay away from windows
and not use any corded electrical devices.
While we know the cloud conditions Lightning Safety Lightning can easily travel along phone
needed to produce lightning, no one can
forecast the exact location or time of How many times have you been at the lines or through other electrical devices
the next strike of lightning. All thunder- beach or in another outdoor activity and and strike you while inside a building.
storms contain lightning and can strike a noticed a thunderstorm in the distance? In
person, tree or an object either on the Florida, this happens often – almost daily If you can’t make it inside when a thunder-
ground or in the air. Lightning is often seen – during the summer. But people often as- storm approaches, the most dangerous
as an underrated killer, because it does sume the storm is too far away or is not place to be is in an open area, like an ath-
not generate as much attention compared dangerous at their location and sadly, the letic field or golf course. Equally as danger-
to other forms of hazardous weather and vast majority of lightning casualties could ous is being caught over the open water of
usually only claims one or two victims at have been prevented had basic safety ac- a lake or ocean when a thunderstorm is in
a time. On average, lightning kills nearly tions been taken. the area. This is because lightning will tend
60 people each year in the United States. to strike the tallest object in the area. This
Florida averages seven fatalities per year Lightning can strike from many miles also why standing under tall trees is very
due to lightning, with many more injuries. away. In fact it doesn’t even have to be dangerous. When you can’t make it to an
Most people that are struck by lightning raining for lightning to occur. A good rule enclosed building, your next best course
are not killed, but suffer significant inju- of thumb to remember is that if you can of action is to get into a vehicle with a
ries. It is important to remember that a hear thunder, you are close enough to be hard-topped roof.
lightning victim does not continue to carry struck by lightning. Being observant when
an electrical charge and can begin receiv- outside is your first line of defense with The key to remaining safe from a lightning
ing emergency medical care immediately. lightning. A darkening cloud building high strike is to keep an eye to the sky and
in the sky is often the first sign that light- watch for darkening skies on the horizon
Lightning is also dangerous because of its ning could occur. along with distant rumbles of thunder. The
● Get a plan for your pets! A lot of times, people leave their pets
at home when they evacuate for a disaster, but pets can get hurt
and lost during disasters. Owners should either take their pets
main tip to remember regarding lightning with them or place them in a secure kennel.
safety is: being outside is never safe during
a thunderstorm! ● Have supplies and medical records for your pet. Animals need
food and water just like people do. Be sure to have pet food, bot-
Know the weather forecast before you tled water, food dishes, and any prescription medicines that your
head outdoors. A portable NOAA All-
pet needs in your disaster supply kit. Also, bring all veterinary re-
Hazards Weather Radio is a great way to
monitor the latest forecasts and warn- cords for your animal with you if you decide to leave your home.
ings while outdoors. Hazardous Weather This is really important, since animal medical records can easily
Outlook and Surf Zone Forecasts are get lost or destroyed after a disaster.
available online and on NOAA Weather
Radio outlines the danger for lightning on ● Check emergency shelters, hotels, and motels for pet policies.
a daily basis. Some shelters, hotels, and motels do not allow owners to keep
For more information about lightning and
pets in their facilities. Be sure to locate several pet-friendly places
lightning safety, visit: along your evacuation route. If you seek emergency shelter, place
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov. your pets in a secure kennel or go to a pet-friendly shelter.
By Kelly Godsey,
NWS Tallahassee
The fishing vessel Waterdog leaning hard to port near the entrance to Jupiter Inlet in a shoaling sea on September 3,
2010. Tragically, the master of the vessel lost control and did not survive. Photo Credit: Stuart Browning
Y
ear-round warm weather, abun- agreeable conditions most of the time. addition, strong, steady breezes can build
dant sunshine, and beautiful sky However, weather and water can change waves and swell that exceed six feet.
and sea vistas attract millions rapidly, posing a threat to boater safety. When these breezes turn into full-fledged
of people to Florida each year. Dangerous waves, lightning, and water- gales, seas are likely to build to 12 feet or
Some stay and make Florida their home. spouts are among the marine hazards fac- more. The safe operation of a small craft
Many others come on vacation to visit ing Florida boaters. requires a competent and alert captain in
the state’s numerous beaches, waterways, any sea condition. When seas build to five
parks, and other natural and human-made Dangerous Waves or six feet, small craft operation is, at the
attractions. Florida waterways draw both very least, cumbersome and potentially
residents and visitors to dive, snorkel, Waves are generated by the wind. When nauseating; at worst, it could be deadly.
swim, ski, fish, cruise, and sail. In fact, waves move far from the wind source, When seas build to seven feet or more,
Florida leads the nation with nearly one they are referred to as swell. When small craft operators should strongly
million registered boats. Another million waves run against a current, they build consider remaining in port. Swells from
boaters (with vessels not registered in up. Waves are constantly changing and both the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico
Florida) use Florida’s waters each year, can grow quickly. Rough seas build rapidly can break when they reach the shallower
according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife as winds approach gale force (34 knots water nearshore, leading to unpredictable
Conservation Commission. Fair weather or 39 mph), such as during a strong sum- and potentially hazardous sea and surf,
and fine seas treat Florida boaters to very mer thunderstorm or a winter squall. In especially near inlets. Even seasoned cap-
Rip Current
Awareness Week
June 5 – 11, 2011
Florida’s Severe Weather Awareness Guide 13
TORNADOES
Photo Credit: National Weather Service
Florida Tornadoes brings a distinct risk of tornadoes to the twice: April 15, 1958 and April 4, 1966,
Sunshine State, as nearly every tropical both in Polk County.
Tornadoes are not usually associated with cyclone can produce tornadoes as it im-
the Sunshine State. However in the past pacts our state. Waterspouts
20 years, Florida had more reported tor-
nadoes and more tornado-related deaths Although all tornadoes are quite danger- Summer is also the most likely time of year
than Oklahoma, Nebraska or Iowa. Of- ous, the most significant and life-threat- for waterspouts, which are tornadoes that
ficially, Florida ranks third nationally in ening Florida tornadoes have historically occur over water. NOAA scientist Dr. Jo-
tornado reports (trailing only Texas and occurred in the winter and spring during seph Golden studied Florida waterspouts
Kansas) and fourth in tornado deaths the late night and early morning. In fact for several decades and estimated nearly
since 1990. 100 of the 152 tornado-related deaths in 300 waterspouts occur off the Florida
Florida since 1950 occurred between 9:00 coast each year. These are typically as-
Florida tornadoes come in all shapes and pm and 7:00 am, with 113 of the 152 total sociated with developing cumulus clouds
sizes, and occur year-round. The most deaths occurring in February, March and or thunderstorms and are often weak by
common time for tornado reports is in April. The February 22-23, 1998 tornado tornado standards. Regardless, boaters
the afternoon, although tornadoes have outbreak and the Groundhog Day out- and those on the beach need to quickly
been spotted at all hours of the day and break in 2007 occurred well after dark move away from them as they can easily
night in Florida. Most Florida twisters oc- in the winter and resulted in 63 fatalities flip over a vessel. If these move onshore,
cur in the summer during the afternoon, combined across parts of Central Florida. they are classified as tornadoes. In addi-
but fortunately these are typically small The strongest tornadoes to ever strike tion, waterspouts can accompany super-
and short-lived. Hurricane season also Florida were rated EF4, which happened cells, such as the damaging tornado that
Y o
and the outside world as possible so the debris in the wind
Did
cannot reach you. It is not the wind that kills and injures people;
it is the debris in the wind.
?
For example, you can drive on the highway at 70 mph and stick
o w
your hand out the window and not be harmed. However, you
n
would suffer serious injury if your hand hit a brick or branch
K
while the car is speeding down the road. If you can keep
the debris in the wind from reaching your location, you will
survive the wind event–whether it is a tornado, hurricane or
thunderstorm downburst wind.
volunteer storm spotters. Timely reports stay informed about tornadoes. These are
from SKYWARN spotters can lead to special radios that receive weather infor-
early warnings that can save lives. mation. The NOAA Weather Radio can
be programmed to turn on and alert you
The National Weather Service will issue of dangerous weather, even in the middle
a Tornado Warning when a tornado has of the night. Make sure the radio is always
been either seen by a weather spotter or plugged in and check that it has good bat-
when Doppler radar indicates strong ro- teries in case the power goes out. You can
tation inside a thunderstorm. If a Tornado also monitor TV and radio for the latest
Warning is issued for your area, you and severe weather information.
your family should seek shelter immedi-
ately! Place as many walls as you can be-
tween you and the tornado, and get as low Remember the
as possible. Find shelter in a small, interior difference!
room on the lowest floor of your home
and stay away from windows and doors. A Watch is a ‘heads-up’. It means pay at-
Use pillows to cover your head. Leave tention. Make sure you know where to
mobile homes and find a stronger build- go for shelter if you need to make a rapid
ing or house. In the classroom, get under- decision. Be sure you have a way to be
neath a desk or table and cover your head alerted or awakened if a warning is issued.
with your arms. If caught outdoors or on
the road your options are not ideal, but A Warning means take cover now! The
you can still take action to survive. Your threat is ongoing or is forecast to strike
first choice would be to get inside a sturdy soon! Get in, and get down!
began as a waterspout and killed three
structure. If that is not an option, try to
people as it moved into Grand Bahama on By Jeffry Evans,
get as low as possible, such as a creek bed
March 29, 2010. NWS Tallahassee
or ditch, and cover your head.
How does the Enhanced Fujita Scale work? TORNADO SAFETY ACTIONS
The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) uses actual Homes
damage to estimate a tornado’s wind speed. Tornadoes
are classified according to the damage they cause on ● When a tornado watch is issued, be prepared to
the Fujita Scale. This scale was named after its creator, take action.
Dr. Theodore Fujita. The EF Scale is to be used with ● When a tornado warning is issued or a tornado
caution. Tornado wind speeds are still largely unknown, is imminent, go to the innermost room on the
and the wind speeds on the EF Scale never have been lowest level away from windows. Interior closets,
scientifically tested and proven. Winds of different halls and bathrooms are good places to go.
speeds may cause the same damage depending on ● If you do not have time to get to the lowest level,
how well-built a structure is, wind direction, wind get under a bed. If you are at school, get under
duration, battering by flying debris and various other your desk.
factors. ● Consider constructing a tornado-safe room in or
adjacent to your home.
EF 0 Gale Tornado: 65-85 miles per hour (mph)
Some damage to chimneys. Tree branches broken off. Open Country
Shallow-rooted trees uprooted. ● Seek a nearby shelter, if time permits.
● If not, lie flat in the nearest depression, ditch or
EF 1 Moderate Tornado: 86-110 mph culvert. Cover your head with your arms.
Roof surfaces peeled off. Mobile homes overturned.
Moving autos pushed off roads.
Vehicles
EF 2 Significant Tornado: 111-135 mph ● Abandon your vehicle and seek refuge in a build-
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off frame houses. ing or, as a last resort, a ditch.
Large trees snapped or uprooted. Light object ● Do not try to outrun a tornado.
projectiles generated.
Offices, Hotels and Condos
EF 3 Severe Tornado: 136-165 mph
Severe damage. Roofs and some walls torn off well- ● When action is required, take shelter in an inte-
constructed homes. Most trees in forests uprooted. rior hallway on the lowest floor, or in a closet or
Heavy cars lifted off ground. small room.
● As a last resort, get under heavy furniture, away
EF 4 Devastating Tornado: 166-200 mph from windows.
Well-constructed houses leveled. Structures blown off
weak foundations. Cars thrown and large projectiles Manufactured and Mobile Homes
generated.
● Have a plan of where to go during a tornado
threat–a nearby pre-identified safe structure
EF 5 Incredible Tornado: 200+ mph
within walking distance.
Strong frame houses lifted off foundations and
● Abandon mobile homes and go to a firmly built
disintegrated. Automobile-sized projectiles fly through
shelter.
the air in excess of 100 mph. Trees debarked.
With more thunderstorms annually than any other state in the country, Florida is very susceptible to dangerous
lightning strikes. Photo credit: NOAA.
A
thunderstorm is small when ous because they contain lightning and can ter, but as a gas known as “water vapor”.
compared to a hurricane. Most also produce damaging winds, heavy rain Water vapor is invisible, and is released
thunderstorms are about 15 which may cause flooding, tornadoes and into the air when liquid water evaporates.
miles wide and last about 30 hail. There are about 100,000 thunder- There is always some moisture in the air,
minutes while hurricanes can be larger storms each year in the United States and but thunderstorms need a lot of moisture
than Texas and last for more than a week. about one out of every ten storms causes in order to form. Warm temperatures and
All thunderstorms are considered danger- damage. large bodies of water can increase both
evaporation and the amount of moisture
How in the air, and Florida has plenty of both.
Thunderstorms
Form When the weather conditions are right
for thunderstorm updrafts to form, mete-
Three things are needed in orologists call the atmosphere “unstable”.
the atmosphere for thunder- Warm air is less dense than cold air which
storms to develop and grow: means a box filled with warm air weighs
the atmosphere needs to be less than an identical box of cold air. This
moist, unstable, and have a is how a hot air balloon can float up into
source of lift (from a cold front the sky. A thunderstorm will continue to
or the sea breeze). Moisture is grow if the temperature inside the thun-
the fuel for thunderstorms. derstorm is warmer than the outside
This moisture is present in temperature.
the atmosphere not as a liquid
like we normally think of wa- Florida has many days in the summer
es a
What mak Severe?
e r s t o r m
Thund
f these:
Any one o
es
√ Tornado
r a b o v e 58 mph
o
√ Wind at
iz e h a il (1inch in
-s
√ Quarter ) or larger
diameter
Satellite image of Hurricane Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico on September 15, 2004. Photo credit: NASA
T
he most feared weather phe- landfall in Miami and travelled across the visitors need to plan ahead and remain
nomenon throughout Florida South Florida Peninsula. To date, Hurri- ready for possible hurricane impacts as
during the summer and early fall cane Andrew remains one of only three early as June and as late as November.
is the tropical cyclone (tropical hurricanes to make landfall at Category 5 Only a small percentage of the nu-
storm/hurricane). Close to the tropics intensity in the United States (in addition merous low pressure systems that move
and surrounded on three sides by warm to the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane which across the warm Atlantic waters during
water, Florida is particularly vulnerable to crossed the Florida Keys and Hurricane the summer are able to take advantage
these systems as they develop and move Camille which struck Mississippi in 1969). of favorable conditions to become more
generally westward across the Atlantic The Atlantic hurricane season officially organized. When a counter-clockwise
Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean begins on June 1st and continues through circulation develops at sea level, com-
Sea. During a typical year, one or more November 30th. Although the number bined with persistent thunderstorm ac-
tropical storms or hurricanes threaten of tropical storms and hurricanes typi- tivity, the weather system is designated a
to impact portions of the state. How- cally peaks during August and September, Tropical Depression. Once sustained
ever, it only takes one tropical cyclone to it is important to remember that Florida (constant) winds in the weather system
produce widespread devastation across can be impacted by tropical weather sys- reach 39 mph, the system is classified
a large area. The 1992 Hurricane Season tems any time during the six-month-long as a Tropical Storm. If winds increase
serves as a reminder of this fact, as six season. A recent example is Hurricane further and reach 74 mph or greater, the
tropical cyclones formed (a normal year Wilma, which struck Florida during late system is declared a Hurricane. Hur-
has eleven), but one storm intensified October 2005, bringing damaging winds, ricanes with winds 111 mph or greater are
into a major hurricane (Andrew) and pro- flooding rains, and tornadoes to the designated Major Hurricanes, and are
duced widespread devastation as it made southern half of the state. Residents and capable of catastrophic damage.
The first images that the words hurri- tornadoes often move at speeds of 50 tropical system. A general rule of thumb
cane and tropical storm bring to mind are mph or greater. Regardless of origin, all (Kraft rule) used for estimating the po-
objects being thrown around and palm and tornadoes have the potential to be dam- tential maximum rainfall total (in inches)
pine trees bending sideways from strong aging and deadly. Another preferred area from a tropical cyclone is to take 100 and
winds. Hurricanes and tropical storms for tornado development is within the far divide it by the storm’s forward motion
also bring storm surge, coastal flooding, outer rain bands, often hundreds of miles (in knots).
flooding from heavy rain, and tornadoes. away from the tropical cyclone center. Storm surge is the term used to de-
For those away from the immediate coast- These tornadoes can affect locations that scribe the wall of water that is pushed
line, inland flooding and tornadoes are otherwise would not experience direct toward the shoreline as a hurricane
often the most hazardous impacts from impacts from the tropical storm or hur- moves onshore. Storm surge combines
these systems. ricane. Therefore, don’t assume you are with the local tide (resulting in the storm
One of the more overlooked hazards safe because the storm is passing far from tide), along with the battering, wind-
associated with tropical cyclones is tor- your location. driven waves (on top of the storm tide)
nadoes. Tornadoes associated with Flooding from tropical cyclones is not to push a tremendous volume of water
tropical systems typically form in the correlated with the intensity of the sys- onto the shore, often resulting in signifi-
right-front quadrant of the circulation, tem, but instead is related to the speed cant damage. Those living in coastal and
relative to the direction of forward mo- of forward motion. Slow moving tropi- near-coastal communities should know in
tion. If viewing the tropical system as a cal storms and hurricanes often produce which evacuation zone they reside (if any),
clock, this would be the area from noon large amounts of rain, which can lead to as well as the elevation of their property.
to three o’clock in the direction that the significant inland flooding. As with tor- All Florida residents should determine if
storm is traveling. While normally not as nadoes, flooding impacts can occur hun- they live within a low-lying area suscep-
intense as tornadoes produced by non- dreds of miles away from the cyclone tible to flooding. When local officials de-
tropical severe thunderstorms, these center, or from the remnants of a former clare an evacuation for your area, move
The destructive path Hurricane Andrew took in 1992. Photo Credit: National Hurricane Center
Every hurricane is different. This image depicts the general changes that occur in the weather as a Category 2 hurricane approaches the
coast from 96 hours out, 72 hours out, etc. Photo Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
F
loods are one of the most common winds or lunar effects. deaths occur when people drive or walk
weather hazards in the United into moving water. Floods can also cause
States. Floods can affect any part Whether flooding occurs near or far away casualties to animals, damage any type of
of Florida at any time. Effects from from a river, water can get high enough structure, including bridges, cars, build-
flooding can be localized, impacting just a that streets are no longer safe to drive on. ings, roadways, power and sewer systems,
few streets in a neighborhood or commu- The National Weather Service recom- and also lead to waterborne diseases.
nity, or very large, affecting multiple cities, mends that if you see a flooded roadway,
counties and even whole states. “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”, meaning
that it’s safer to turn your car around Flood forecasts and
Not all floods are alike. Some floods de- and find an alternate route than to drive warnings
velop slowly, and may take a few hours through the water. It only takes two feet
or a few days to have an impact. On the of water to cause a large vehicle like an Meteorologists try to predict accurately
other hand, flash floods happen quickly, SUV or pick-up truck to float away. The when, where and how much rain will fall.
sometimes in a matter of minutes. smaller the vehicle, the less water it takes. The total amount of rain and how fast it
Driving on flooded roads is also danger- falls (the rainfall rate) along with the cur-
By Eric Oglesby,
NWS Tampa Bay/Ruskin
National
Flood Safety
Awareness
Week
March 14-18,
2011
Can Opener
Important Papers
Flashlight
Water
Here are the most important items you should have in your disaster
supply kit. Build your complete kit at www.KidsGetAPlan.com!
W
e think of Florida as be- weather patterns form, portions of the stop the sea breeze from bringing cooler
ing a hot state, but in state can become either very hot in the air in from the water. In order for clouds
fact, most of the time our warm season or very cold during the cold to form, the air needs to rise. If the air is
temperatures are quite season. sinking, then clouds are unable to form.
moderate. The water that surrounds the How do the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Without clouds to shade the ground, the
state usually keeps our temperatures Mexico moderate our temperatures? The temperature becomes even hotter.
from becoming either too hot or too cold. sun heats the ground and as the ground When hot temperatures combine with
However, because of the size and location becomes warmer, the air over the hot high humidity, our bodies feel like it is
of the state, weather patterns sometimes ground begins to rise. As the warmed hotter than it really is since the increased
develop that do not allow the water to air rises, air off of the cooler waters that moisture in the air limits our body’s abil-
moderate the temperatures. When these surround the state comes in to replace ity to cool off through sweating. This is
called the Heat Index. When the heat
index reaches higher than 105 degrees
Temperature (◦F) F, conditions can become dangerous for
both people and animals. A person can
experience heat cramps, heat exhaustion
Relative Humidity (%)
By Al Sandrik,
NWS Jacksonville
W
ildfires are a perennial see over 4,600 fires burn nearly 110,000 of November. This is a particularly low
threat to Florida. While acres of land. While lightning is respon- amount of wildfire activity compared to
wildfires can start at any sible for many fires, most wildfires are the past 30 years. Part of this reason is an
time of the year, the state started by humans – the most common El Niño event that was occurring during
sees a peak of activity during the early part causes of human-started fires are arson the early part of 2010. An El Niño event
of the year – beginning in January and con- and escaped burns of debris. occurs when there is warmer than normal
tinuing until the onset of more frequent water in the Central and Eastern tropical
rain during the wet season, usually in early In 2010, Florida saw over 2,500 wildfires Pacific Ocean. Winter El Niño events
to mid-June. A typical year in Florida will burn nearly 28,000 acres through the end are frequently associated with cooler and
wetter conditions in Florida, which helps
to suppress wildfire activity.
create a more accurate idea of the risk for signifies ‘Low’ fire danger, 2 indicates
wildfires that will need suppression, the ‘Moderate’ danger, 3 indicates ‘High’ fire
Division of Forestry is using a new scale danger, 4 is ‘Very High’ danger, and 5 sig-
that incorporates both weather factors nifies an ‘Extreme’ risk of wildfires. This
and the characteristics of the vegetation scale will provide a more accurate and
that would burn in a wildfire, called the accessible picture of wildfire risk. The
Fire Danger Index (FDI). It’s important FDI is shown in two ways: the Observed
to note that this index describes the risk FDI, which uses weather observations
of having wildfires that need suppression, from the current day to calculate risk,
Florida Fire Danger Index and does not indicate the potential for fire and the Forecast FDI, which uses weather
spread. It is possible to have days which forecasts from the National Weather Ser-
For several years, Florida has used the may not have a particularly high FDI, but vice to help calculate wildfire risk for the
Keetch-Byram Drought Index as a way to have weather conditions exist that if a fire next day. To see the Fire Danger Index
help gauge the potential risk for wildfires. were to start, it would be difficult to con- and to learn more about it, please visit
The scale goes from 0-800, and is created trol. http://fdi.fl-dof.com.
using high temperature and rainfall data.
However, using only long-term weather The FDI is calculated for each of Florida’s By Sean Luchs,
information does not always paint the 67 counties, and only goes from 1 to 5. Division of Forestry
fullest picture of existing fire danger. To Each rating has its own descriptor: 1
JetStream Online School for Weather Don’t Forget to Get A Plan For Your Family and Business
www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/index.htm