Friday, September 21, 2007

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms And Driving

9.21.2007

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms And Driving

We have all heard the saying I’m sure that water and oil don’t mix. It is so true. This is especially the case when the water and the oil are mixing on the roads we have to drive on.

It’s bad enough to have to drive in heavy down pours of rain but it is dangerous to drive when the oil from the roads are floating to the surface and causing oil slicks. With many heavy duty trucks on many of the roads this will result in even more slick spots especially in heavy isolated storms.

So if you have to be out in the rain take extra precautions adn make sure you have a disaster kit for your car. I f you don’t have to be out in it STAY INSIDE for your sake and others.

You may drive on the road just find but your driving could help to bring up the oil off the surface and result in others being affected. So stay, off the roads, stay in and relax. Hey it’s the weekend.

QUESTION: What are you doing to prepare for the active weather weekend? Where are you and what do you think you should do to prepare for storms?

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Pease, Blessings & Be Safe!

Terrie

Web Site: www.trainforahurricane.com

Web Site http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

She is an international expert in dying, death, loss and critical incident individual and community disaster preparation and response, with over 60 courses, books and training manuals to her credit. She has 20+ years experience in assisting those in need. Dr. Modesto is available for consultations, lectures media interviews.

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Depression becomes tropical,

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ik=e179ab4788&zx=17kxpircrpw6b&rtm=1190394502171

"wbaltv.com"

Issued at: 12:46 PM CDT 9/21/07 (gateway).

Satellite imagery indicates that the subtropical depression has acquired enough tropical characteristics to be considered a tropical depression.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect from apalachicola Florida westward to the mouth of the mississippi river, including new orleans and lake pontchartrain. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local weather office.

At 100 pm cdt, 1800z, the center of tropical depression ten was located near latitude 29.7 north, longitude 85.9 west or about 50 miles, 85 km, southwest of apalachicola Florida and about 155 miles, 250 km, east-southeast of mobile alabama.

The depression is moving toward the northwest near 11 mph. A turn to the west-northwest is expected during the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, the center of the depression will be moving nearly parallel to the coastline within the warning area today and tonight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, 55 km/hr, with higher gusts. The depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today or tomorrow.

The minimum central pressure reported by a reconnaissance aircraft was 1006 mb, 29.71 inches.

Rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches, can be expected in association with the depression.

Isolated tornadoes are possible over southwestern georgia, the florida panhandle, and southeastern alabama through tonight.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 1 to 2 feet above normal tide levels can be expected in areas of onshore flow.

Repeating the 100 pm cdt position, 29.7 n, 85.9 w. Movement toward, northwest near 11 mph. Maximum sustained winds, 35 mph. Minimum central pressure, 1006 mb.

What are YOU doing this weekend?

9.21.2007

More to a Hurricane or Tropical Storm

Than Just Wind & Rain!

When we think of a tropical storm or a hurricane we think of weather reporters bracing themselves again the mighty wind and rain that is pelting them at sharp angels. Well yes that is a part of a hurricane experience but hey there is also another component that can be just a dangerous and often give little warning to the dastardly path it is going to take.

at component is called a Tornado. It’s a wicket thing to experience. If you are in the region of a hurricane you can also be exposed to the possible danger of a tornado.

Keep you emergency alert radios turned ON and have a disaster kit for every family member including yrou pets ready at all times.

In a hurricane you have believe it or not the luxury of some time to prepare. In a tornado there are minutes to seconds to prepare. That is why it is so important to have your emergency disaster kit ready at all times and a well thought out disaster plan already designed and written down.

So many people tell me that they would be willing to do a disaster plan if they only knew how. Well I can certainly appreciate that issue myself. Frankly when I started out in critical incident response thanatology I had little knowledge of what to do or have prepared myself. I’ve learned and so can you.

Go get my newest book Train For a Hurricane ( www.trainforahurricane.com ) and review not only the section on preparation for a hurricane but also the Train For a Hurricane Disaster Workbook and then get ready to use the enclosed disaster plan template that will help you step by step get your comprehensive plan ready for what ever may happen.

Imagine if you were one of the 300 families that are now is without electric or one of the 50families arriving back home to find that their homes are damaged -- what would YOU be doing right now?

If you had a disaster plan you would know exactly what to do and when. Know how to recover from a disaster such as a hurricane or a tornado.

The weekend is just a few short hours away. What are YOU doing this weekend? If you don’t have a disaster plan already designed and some disaster preparations on hand then I suggest you spend a couple of hours getting ready.

A disaster can happen at any time. Just ask the 30 families and the Lake County Red Cross what they will be doing this weekend!

QUESTION: What are you doing to prepare for the active weather weekend? Where are you and what do you think you should do to prepare for storms?

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Peace and blessings

Terrie

www.trainforahurricane.com http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Tropical Storm Spins Tornados in Florida

Posted Sep 21, 2007, 8:52 AM ET

http://www.gameshout.com/news/tropical_storm_spins_tornados_in_florida/article9561.htm

Nearly 300 residences are without power after storms spun off from a tropical-weather system in the Gulf of Mexico.

About fifty homes were damaged from storms and a tornado in Lake County, Florida late last night -- a weather system that spawned those storms could wreak more havoc today.

Twenty homes in the Eustis area were destroyed, and another 30 suffered significant damage, mostly in the older part of Eustis in northern Lake County. About 300 residences are without power this morning.

No one suffered major injuries, however, and clean-up efforts are already underway. Two inmate crews from the Lake County Jail worked through the night to clear roadways for school buses.

The storms spun off of a tropical-weather system lingering in the Gulf of Mexico.

A weather plane is scheduled to fly into the storm this morning, to gather data. And the National Hurricane Center is monitoring the storm, expected to drift to the northwest today, to see if it will develop into a tropical storm or depression.

Even if it doesn't become a major tropical storm, forecasters said it could continue to bring winds and rain to the region today.

The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter, for residents whose homes were damaged in the storm. The shelter at the Bay Street Baptist Church can hold up to 300 people but had just one occupant this morning.

Dozens of residents were outside at dawn, taking photos and shooting video of the damage.

Roads are mostly clear of large debris. But lawns are littered with items ranging from canoes to pieces of barns and garages.

Sandwiched Between A Hurricane & A Tropical Storm

9.21.2007

Sandwiched Between A Hurricane & A Tropical Storm

Well some folks thought we were out of the hurricane woods but surprise we are far from it. Right now parts of the California coast is bracing for Hurricane Ivo that is predicted to come ashore in the next 5 days. Then there is Tropical Storm Jerry that is causing The Governor of Louisiana to declare a precautionary State of Emergency.

Looks like a VERY active weather weekend in some areas and long nights at many weather centers.

The most important thing people right now should be doing is preparing in a calm and intentional manner. Get the emergency food supply in and disaster kits up to date. Make sure you have a 2 week minimum of medications. Have all the lawn furniture, trash cans, children’s toys and other yard items stored away out of the weather and possible danger. I’ll have more suggestions I the next blog that should be coming up soon.

QUESTION: What are you doing to prepare for the active weather weekend? Where are you and what do you think you should do to prepare for storms?

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Peace and blessings

Terrie

Web Site: www.trainforahurricane.com

Web Site http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Tropical Storm Warning Posted For Gulf Coast

http://www.wdsu.com/weather/14166196/detail.html

Governor Declares Precautionary State Of Emergency

POSTED: 9:13 pm CDT September 20, 2007

UPDATED: 12:11 pm CDT September 21, 2007

NEW ORLEANS -- Forecasters issued tropical storm warnings for a 380-mile stretch of the Gulf Coast Friday morning.

By mid-morning, a subtropical depression was 45 miles southwest of Apalachicola, Fla., but the National Hurricane Center put warnings in effect from Apalachiola to the mouth of the Mississippi River -- including New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 1 to 2 feet above normal tide levels can be expected in areas of onshore flow.

According to the NHC's advisory, "maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph ... with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and the depression could become a subtropical or tropical storm" later Friday.

Hurricanes Have A Mind Of Their Own!

Hurricanes Have A Mind Of Their Own!

Often we associate hurricanes with the tropical weather of say Florida or the tropical islands. I personally don’t think that hurricanes will be a MAJOR threat to the New England area. As we have learned over the years, hurricanes can go where there is warm water and certain types of wind conditions.

Frankly no matter where we live either on the shores of Key West Fl or up in New England we all need to be aware of weather conditions as well as to be prepared personally.

Imagine if a hurricane like that happened today? Those in New England prepared for a blizzard would be much more prepared for an unusual occurrence of a hurricane. They would have the extra fuel to run generators, extra water and food as well as medications and emergency communication methods that are necessary no mater what kind of disaster there is.

QUESTION FOR TODAY:

How would YOU today right now respond to a rare hurricane or other form of disaster in your area? Are YOU prepared or do you think it will NEVER happen to you?

With global warming disasters in all parts of the country and world are impossible.

Richard Koeneman writes a good summary on this occuarece that took place 69 years ago today!

Remembering a rare New England hurricane

--By Richard Koeneman, WGN Weather Center Meteorologist

http://blogs.trb.com/news/weather/weblog/wgnweather/2007/09/remembering_a_rare_new_england.html

On today’s date, the “Great New England Hurricane of 1938” smashed without warning across a portion of the nation that rarely experiences such storms: New England. The tropical cyclone grazed Cape Hatteras, N.C., about 3 a.m. on Sept. 21 and, from there, Weather Bureau forecasters believed the hurricane was headed northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, as such storms typically do. This was in the days before aircraft reconnaissance, weather radar or satellite surveillance. Unrealized by the forecasters, the hurricane instead accelerated north at 50-60 m.p.h.—the highest forward speed a hurricane has ever attained—and blasted with Category 3 intensity (winds 111-130 m.p.h.) across Long Island, N.Y., and into Rhode Island and surrounding areas by early afternoon. The sun had been shining only two hours earlier. Winds and storm surge claimed nearly 600 lives, and left New England in a shambles.

*******************

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Peace and blessings

Terrie

Web site www.trainforahurricane.com

Blog http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.Publish Post

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Listen Up – There’s hurricane trouble a brewin’!

Prepare & Relax For Tropical Storm or Hurricane

Veritas has an amusing and always insightful blog on hurricanes Gulf Coast Hurricane Tracker. His talk like a pirate blog today gives a smile while the news is to get preparing for a couple days of bad weather thanks to a hurricane. Looks like Texas and perhaps a bit of Louisiana will be in for some tropical storm / possible hurricane activity. I understand that it may even get to a Category 1 hurricane.

No matter if it is a small tropical storm or a mighty hurricane storm it is wise to have necessary supplies in place. Get the garden furniture and grill inside as well as stock up on the extras you like or need on hand to be comfortable during a hefty storm. This will not be a Hurricane Katrina BUT flying lawn chairs can cause a lot of damage to a window or car no matter what. Besides it’s no fun chasing down your deck stuff after a storm. An ounce of hurricane disaster prevention can be worth pounds and hours of storm recovery

For those who take prescriptions regularly, check your medication amounts. If you are down to less than a week of your necessary medications and medical supplies, get your refill today so that you don’t have to trouble yourself with the pharmacy refill trip while the rains are pelting and the wind is blowing. Easier to get medications now and then stay dry and comfortable latter. Most prescription plans allow for refills a week early. Call your pharmacist to be sure.

Avast - There be trouble a brewin' in paradise By Veritas

gulf-coast-hurricanes.blogspot.com/2007/09/avast-there-be-trouble-brewin-in.html

(Talk like a pirate day)

Ahoy me hardy's- the typhoon be approachin' ye who lives along the Ole Gulf Coast. The land of lost treasures will be mighty stirred up over the next fortnight. Arggh - the rain be a coming from across La Floride and headin' to the bounty in the lands of Galvez and LaFitte.

As the cyclone comes across the Mexican Sea, it will grow from the bathlike waters - whatever that may be. The winds n'er be in our sails and won't rip apart the storm me matey's.

Aye me cap'ain be scrambling to hoist the main and beat out to Tortuga to protect the ship or the storm will surely get her good.

As me Doct'r Frank told ye the High pressure be driving the storm for the Tejas coast or maybe me swamp lands in Louisiana. If the storm comes this far west then she will surely be a mighty one.

The other chance is a shoot to the nord into Ole Miss and 'Bama.

So keep the parrot fed, the patch dry and the peg leg polished. May the wind be to ye back and ye sails be full. We be riding rough before the moon is new.

OK it's corney but I tried

*********************

Peace and blessings!

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Peace and blessings

Terrie

Web site: www.trainforahurricane.com
Blog: http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

Hurricane cone now a standard concept

9.20.2007

Hurricane cone now a standard concept

Ever wondered abut Hurricane cones on the weather reports?

Just read an informative article on how the weather forecasters develop the hurricane comes we see on the weather segment of the news when a hurricane is possible.

Thought you might find it interesting as well.

Sep 19, 2007 9:03 pm US/Eastern

Hurricane Minute: The Forecast Cone

Bryan Norcross

Reporting

(CBS4) MIAMI-DADE CBS4 Hurricane Expert Bryan Norcross says the cone often illustrated in a graphic showing the path of a hurricane has become the standard way of communicating its forecast track. It's important to understand exactly how it's drawn and what it means.

For example, the National Hurricane Center believes the track of a hurricane's eye will be located near Great Abaco, northeast of the Bahamas in two days. These scientists would draw a circle around that point, and by averaging the last 5 years of forecasts, two-thirds of the time, the storm's center would have stayed a certain point close to the forecast point 2 days out.

Forecasts are also done in the same manner for the 12, 24, 36, and 72 hour forecasts, drawing circles of the appropriate size based on the average error for each of those times. The circles get bigger as you go further out in time. After connecting all those circles with where the storm is at the current moment, fill it in and you get the forecast cone.

About two-thirds of the time, the center of the hurricane will stay in the cone and about one third of the time, it will venture outside. But the good thing to know is that forecasts are getting better, and so the cones are shrinking.

In fact, the cones that are used to illustrate a hurricane's direction was based on the forecast for Hurricane Andrew on the Saturday before it hit.

But using today's forecast errors, one can see how much bigger it would have been in 1992 if cones were used back then, about 50% wider and even more so when three days out. Modern technology has made a tremendous difference.

These days, we have a five-day cone, but the rules are the same. About two-thirds of the time, the center stays within the cone.

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Peace and blessings

Terrie

www.trainforahurricane.com http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

So Are YOU Hurricane Prepared & Aware?

9.20.2007

So Are YOU Hurricane Prepared & Aware?

Yep we are possibly going to experience another hurricane this season. We will know more a bit later on today (Thursday) if this will in fact have the likely potential of becoming a hurricane. The Gulf of Mexico is still very warm and it could contribute significantly to the formation of a hurricane.

Sad new is that it might hit New Orleans if the hurricane does occur. New Orleans does not need another hurricane. Unfortunately we have no say as to how a mighty hurricane comes a shore. We do have say in how well we prepare. Don’t wait to the very last minute. Get prepared NOW. Better prepared for a disastrous hurricane causes less hurricane survival and hurricane recovery pain later.

Tropical cyclone may form in Gulf of Mexico: NHC

Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:39am EDT

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1923421120070919

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A tropical cyclone could form during the next day or two as a tropical disturbance moves westward across Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a report Wednesday.

A weak surface low pressure area along the Florida East Coast and an upper level low were producing a large area of disturbed weather over the western Atlantic, the NHC said in a report at 11:30 a.m. EDT.

Four out of five weather models show the storm either remaining within Florida or crossing it and entering the Gulf of Mexico before striking the Florida Panhandle over the next few days.

The other model shows the storm crossing the Gulf and hitting Louisiana in a few days.

Earlier Wednesday, four out of five models showed the storm crossing Florida, entering the oil rich Gulf and striking Louisiana and Mississippi over the next few days.

The energy market watches for tropical storms because they can disrupt U.S. oil and natural gas production and refining if the storms enter the Gulf of Mexico.

Commodities traders also track tropical storms because they can damage citrus crops in Florida and such crops as cotton along the Gulf Coast.

The NHC will name the next tropical storm Jerry. A tropical storm packs winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour.

Elsewhere, the NHC said it did not expect any tropical cyclones to form during the next 48 hours.

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Are you or have you been in a hurricane disaster? Do you know someone who is recovering or has been affected by a hurricane in the past?

Please share your thoughts and stories here on this blog.

All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.

Peace and blessings

Terrie

www.trainforahurricane.com http://trainforahurricane.blogspot.com

Dr. Terrie Modesto, Critical Incident Thanatologist

All writings here are copyrighted by Terrie Modesto and Train For A Hurricane.com. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.

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Friday, September 21, 2007

Hurricanes, Tropical Storms And Driving

What are YOU doing this weekend?

Sandwiched Between A Hurricane & A Tropical Storm

9.21.2007

Sandwiched Between A Hurricane & A Tropical Storm

Looks like a VERY active weather weekend in some areas and long nights at many weather centers.

QUESTION: What are you doing to prepare for the active weather weekend? Where are you and what do you think you should do to prepare for storms?

Tropical Storm Warning Posted For Gulf Coast

http://www.wdsu.com/weather/14166196/detail.html

Governor Declares Precautionary State Of Emergency

POSTED: 9:13 pm CDT September 20, 2007

Hurricanes Have A Mind Of Their Own!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Listen Up – There’s hurricane trouble a brewin’!

Hurricane cone now a standard concept

So Are YOU Hurricane Prepared & Aware?