National Hurricane Preparedness Week: May 23 - May 29, 2010

National Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from May 23^rd to May 29^th this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through its National Hurricane Center website are providing an impressive volume of information about hurricanes as well as the effects of hurricanes both on the shores and inland. Detailed suggestions for individual, family and business preparations are also listed.

Each day of the week presents a different aspect of hurricanes. Read on for a snippet of each day's topic.

Sunday May 23^rd: Hurricane History

Galveston, 1900. "Storm tides of 8 to 15 ft inundated the whole of Galveston Island, as well as other portions of the nearby Texas coast. These tides were largely responsible for the 8,000 deaths (estimates range from 6,000 to 12,000) attributed to the storm."

Monday, May 24^th : Hurricane Hazards

Storm Surge. "Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase the mean water level 15 feet or more."

Tuesday, May 25^th : Hurricane Hazards

High Winds. "A Category 4 hurricane would have winds between 131 and 155 mph and, on the average, would usually be expected tocause 100 times the damage of the Category 1 storm. Depending on circumstances, less intense storms may still be strong enough to produce damage, particularly in areas that have not prepared in advance."

Wednesday, May 26^th :Hurricane Hazards

Inland Flooding. "While storm surge is always a potential threat, more people have died from inland flooding from 1970 up to 2000. Intense rainfall is not directly related to the wind speed of tropical cyclones. In fact, some of the greatest rainfall amounts occur from weaker storms that drift slowly or stall over an area."

Thursday, May 27^th : The Forecast Process

Forecasting/Predicting. "Part of the mission of the National Weather Service (NWS) Tropical Prediction Center (TPC) is to save lives and protect property by issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous weather conditions in the tropics. This section provides information about the roles of those responsible for providing hurricane information to emergency managers and decision makers."

Friday, May 28^th : Be Prepared!

Preparation. "If you are asked to evacuate, you should do so without delay. But unless you live in a coastal or low-lying area, an area that floods frequently, or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that emergency managers will ask you to evacuate. That means that it is important for you and your family to HAVE A PLAN that makes you as safe as possible in your home."

Saturday, May 29^th : TAKE ACTION!

No snippet quoted here, but the page has a summary of the presented information, including links to each topic and more, leaving you with a great resource. If you have limited time, be sure to open this page if none others.

Sources:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml