cbi project

Hurricane Preparation Guidelines

for International Students

By: Inthira Pandey

What? When? Why? How? Contact Sources

What is Hurricane?

• A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics.

• The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface.


What Exactly Is a Hurricane?

• A hurricane can best be

described as a huge

tropical storm (up to 600

miles in diameter)!

• Winds can be up to 200

mph!

• Storm usually doesn’t last

for more than 7-10 days.

• It moves across the ocean

at around 10-20 mph…not

too fast really!

Arrows indicate

“feeder bands”

or “rain bands”


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/graphics/hurricane/2007_storms/flash.htm?strmName=Most recent storm&strmNum=strm1&tabName=t2&mapName=b&satMap=SE

Evolution of Hurricane Development -- Stages

Stage 1 – Tropical Wave (Depression)

Lacks structure – no

well developed

feeder bands or eye



Stage 2 – Tropical Storm

Feeder bands are

beginning to develop

– you can see the

center of the low

pressure system

more easily. Eye and

eye wall still not well

formed.



Stage 3 – Category 1 Hurricane

Well developed

feeder bands. An

eye begins to form

(although it is

covered in clouds).

Storm is tightening

around center.




Well developed

feeder bands. An

eye and eye wall are

usually very well

formed. Storm

continues to tighten

around center.




Now considered a

“Major Storm”.

Intense flooding and

building damage will

occur to most areas

on the coast. Further

inland, the damage

will still be

substantial.




All shrubs, signs and

trees blown down.

COMPLETE

DESTRUCTION of

mobile homes.

Extensive damage to

doors and windows.

Major damage to lower

floors of structures near

the coast.




Complete roof failure on

many residential and

industrial buildings.

Some complete building

failures with small

utility buildings blown

over or away.

Massive evacuation of

residential areas on low

ground within 5-10

miles of the coastline

maybe required.


Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

CategoryWind speed

(mph)

Storm surge

(feet)

5 156 More than18

4 131–155 13–18

3 111–130 9–12

2 96–110 6–8

1 74–95 4–5

Additional classifications

Tropical storm 39–73 0–3

Tropical

depression0–38 0

What is the measurement for hurricanes’ strength


Aftermath…


Quiz

What is a hurricane?

A) A severe thunderstorm with wind

B) A wind storm with a funnel

C) A storm with wind of 75 mph or more


Quiz

At which category is the wind speed higher than 130 mph?

A) Category 1

B) Category 2

C) Category 4


When is Hurricane Season?

• The hurricane season is between June 1st -November 30th.


When do I need to watch out for these things?

The “hurricane

season” is just a

name for the time

period when we

expect to see

tropical systems

develop. The

hurricane season

for the Atlantic

runs from June 1st

– November 30th.

Peak season is the middle part of September.


When are these “Atlantic Basin” Hurricanes forming?


Quiz

When is the hurricane season?

A) January till March

B) May till August

C) June till November


Why is it important to evacuate?

• It can take thousands of lives.

• It is one of the most devastating natural disasters that occur in the world, behind only floods and earthquakes.

• Mandatory evacuation issued by the parish, is the official warning to get out of the area.

• It can cost billions in damages (Hurricane Katrina remains the costliest on US record at $110 billion).


Quiz

Why is it important to evacuate?

A) To get a few days off from school

B) To take a vacation

C) To avoid a potential life threat


How to get ready for an evacuation?

Decide in advance the destination of your egress:This decision should be made as soon as possible. Hotelsand motels may be sold out everywhere within 300 miles ofthe evacuation point, making it really important to havesomewhere established to evacuate to (for example, afriend's or relative's house in a nearby state, etc.). Makeplans to evacuate with friends in advance as well.



Decide on the route to your safe location, as well as an alternate path:Major highways will be backed up for miles. Find an alternative, winding path if one is available. You may and most likely will find it necessary. Having GPS can be helpful in this instance but also have road maps with you in case the GPS hasn't covered everything or it doesn't work.



Be prepared to spend at least 12 hours on the road:Ensure you have enough to eat, drink, and stay entertained, as well as allowing ample time for restroom breaks. Failing to prepare for hours on the road can turn gloomy trip into a nightmare!



Purchase two large gasoline cans long before you might ever need them:Gasoline cans will become impossible to find when the storm approaches. Keep one can empty and another can full, then store them in a locked trunk for safekeeping.



Things you will need to pack:• Clothing for several days.• Toilet articles

(Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)• Prescription medicines, medical equipment and

important medical records.• Special dietary foods.• Baby supplies.• Blankets, pillows, and towels • Identification and important papers.• Checkbook, credit card and cash.


QuizFor many hours should you be prepared to be on the road?


A) 6 hours

B) 8 hours

C) 12 hours

D) 24 hours

QuizWhich of these items should NOT be packed for the evacuation?


A) Prescription Medicine

B) Clothing

C) Pillows and Blankets

D) Television

Who to contact?

Calcasieu Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness (337-721-3800)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)(1800-621-3362)


http://www.cppj.net/index.aspx?page=121

http://www.cppj.net/index.aspx?page=121

Sources

www.fema.gov

www.noaa.gov

www.wnyc.org


http://www.wnyc.org/






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hurricane season

wind storm

b category

c category

developed feeder bands

huge tropical storm

major storm

eye wall