Sunday, August 26, 2012

Michael Petruccelli asks; What is an Extreme Wind Warning?


Michael Petruccelli says; An EXTREME WIND WARNING:
Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour. Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.
Additional Watches and Warnings are issued to provide detailed information on specific threats such as floods and tornadoes. Local National Weather Service offices issue Flash Flood/Flood Watches and Warnings as well as Tornado Warnings.

Be Alert For...
Tornadoes they are often spawned by hurricanes.
The calm “eye” of the storm it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.

REMINDER: If you are told to leave
your home, do so immediately!

What to Bring to a Shelter:

„„First-aid kit
„„Medicine, prescriptions
„„Baby food and diapers
„„Games, books, music players with headphones
„„Toiletries
„„Battery-powered radio and cell phone
„„Flashlights
„„Extra batteries
„„A blanket or sleeping bag for each person
„„Identification
Cash, credit card
„„Copies of key papers such as insurance policies

Note: In this case the winds can be the enemy but there is the silent enemy, the rain.

Rainfall
Hurricanes often produce widespread, torrential rains in excess of 6 inches, which may result in deadly and destructive floods. In fact, flooding is the major threat from tropical cyclones for people living inland. Flash flooding, defined as a rapid rise in water levels, can occur quickly due to intense rainfall. Longer term flooding on rivers and streams can persist for several days after the storm.
Rainfall amounts are not directly related to the strength of tropical cyclones but rather to the speed and size of the storm, as well as the geography of the area. Slower moving and larger storms produce more rainfall. In addition, mountainous terrain enhances rainfall from a tropical cyclone.