Thursday, May 31, 2007

HURRICANE SEASON 2007

The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season is an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started June 1, 2007, and will last until November 30, 2007, dates that conventionally delimit the period when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin during the year.










RECIPE OF A HURRICANE (PART 1) - TROPICAL DISTURBANCE
A discrete tropical weather system of apparently organized convection - generally 200 to 600 km (100 to 300 nmi) in diameter - originating in the tropics or subtropics, having a nonfrontal migratory character, and maintaining its identity for 24 hours or more. It may or may not be associated with a detectable perturbation of the wind field. Disturbances associated with perturbations in the wind field and progressing through the tropics from east to west are also known as easterly waves .













RECIPE OF A HURRICANE (PART 2) – TROPICAL DEPRESSION
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained wind speed (using the U.S. 1 minute average standard) is 33 kt (38 mph, 17 m/s). Depressions have a closed circulation.




RECIPE OF A HURRICANE (PART 3) - TROPICAL STORM
A tropical cyclone in which the maximum sustained surface wind speed (using the U.S. 1 minute average standard) ranges from 34 kt (39 mph,17.5 m/s) to 63 kt (73 mph, 32.5 m/s). The convection in tropical storms is usually more concentrated near the center with outer rainfall organizing into distinct bands.










RECIPE OF A HURRICANE (PART 4) - HURRICANE
When winds in a tropical cyclone equal or exceed 64 kt (74 mph, 33 m/s) it is called a hurricane (in the Atlantic and eastern and central Pacific Oceans). Hurricanes are further designated by categories on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Hurricanes in categories 3, 4, 5 are known as Major Hurricanes or Intense Hurricanes.





HURRICANE PREPARATION:


1. Know What Hurricane WATCH and WARNING Mean



  • WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 36 hours.

  • WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 24 hours.

2. Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan



  • Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

  • Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality.

  • You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.

  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

3. Take these items with you when evacuating:



  • Prescription medications and medical supplies;

  • Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows

  • Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight
    Car keys and maps

  • Documents, including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.


4. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Including the Following Items:



  • First aid kit and essential medications.

  • Canned food and can opener.

  • At least three gallons of water per person.

  • Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.

  • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.

  • Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

  • Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)

5. Prepare for High Winds




  • Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and predrill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.

  • Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

6. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WATCH Is Issued



  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.

  • Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.

  • Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use precut plywood as described above. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.

  • Fill your car's gas tank.

  • Recheck manufactured home tie-downs.

  • Check batteries and stock up on canned food, first aid supplies, drinking water, and medications.

7. Know What to Do When a Hurricane WARNING Is Issued



  • Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
    Complete preparation activities.

  • If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.

  • Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.

  • Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can happen during a hurricane and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.

  • Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.


8. Know What to Do After a Hurricane Is Over



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STORM NAMES:


The following names will be used for named storms that form in the Atlantic basin in 2007. Names to be retired, if any, will be announced by the World Meteorological Organization in the spring of 2008. The names not retired from this list will be used again in the 2013 season. The name Andrea was used for the first time in the 2007 season. The list is the same as the 2001 list except for Andrea, Ingrid, and Melissa, which replaced Allison, Iris, and Michelle, respectively. Names that have not been assigned are marked in gray.



  • Andrea

  • Barry (unused)

  • Chantal (unused)

  • Dean (unused)

  • Erin (unused)

  • Felix (unused)

  • Gabrielle (unused)

  • Humberto (unused)

  • Ingrid (unused)

  • Jerry (unused)

  • Karen (unused)

  • Lorenzo (unused)

  • Melissa (unused)

  • Noel (unused)

  • Olga (unused)

  • Pablo (unused)

  • Rebekah (unused)

  • Sebastien (unused)

  • Tanya (unused)

  • Van (unused)

  • Wendy (unused)

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