HURRICANESWhat you need to know to plan,

predict & prepare

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TABLEOF CONTENTS

Page 3: Weather Knowledge

Page 5: Weather IQ

Page 8: Hurricanes

Page 19: Forecasting & Tracking

Page 25: Rising Floods

Page 30: Your Advantage

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WEATHERKNOWLEDGE

Hurricane On The Horizon

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The only good thing about a hurricane is the time is

gives you to prepare.

How confident are you in your ability to interpret a hurricane forecast?

Hurricanes derive their name from the Mayan storm god Hurakan, who

caused windblown destruction and chaos. So it’s no surprise that hurricanes

can be challenging for first responders and emergency management

professionals, not just because of the events that happen during the event,

but also for the havoc they wreak afterward. Your ability to analyze and

interpret weather data before and during a hurricane is essential to protecting

your community, and yet you probably didn’t train to be a meteorologist.

Accessible anytime and anywhere, Baron Threat Net® delivers the critical weather

data needed in an easy-to-read format that helps you make fast, informed and effective mission-critical

decisions during hurricane events and other severe weather situations – freeing you up to focus on taking

action rather than interpreting science.

Baron Threat Net makes it easier to predict, plan and prepare for hurricane events. Our product provides

current conditions and forecasts that give 24/7 accurate, detailed coverage based on a professional,

proprietary weather system. Baron Threat Net lets you monitor a changing situation in real-time or up to

seven days out.

This book provides a look at some of the most common dangers for communities like yours before,

during and after a hurricane and insight into how Baron Threat Net can help you get ahead of even the

most challenging weather conditions.4

WEATHERIQ

Build Your Knowledge

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Are you trained for weather emergencies?

The vast majority (78%) of disasters recorded in

the United States each year are weather related.

And yet when asked what types of incidents

they expect to respond to over the course of

the year, many Emergency Management

Personnel (EMP) and public safety officials

underestimate the number of weather focused

disasters and overestimate acts of terrorism and

incidents involving mass transportation.

The result? EMP and public safety officials are

undertrained in weather-related disasters and

over-trained in other types of incidents.

In order to more effectively and cost efficiently

keep the public safe, emergency managers

need to be knowledgeable about weather

phenomenon and the impact severe weather

can have on their communities.

6Source: Weaver, J., Harkabus, L. C., Braun, J., Miller, S., Cox, R., Griffith, J., & Mazur, R. J. (2014). An Overview of a Demographic Study of United States Emergency Managers. Bulletin Of The American Meteorological Society, 95(2), 199-203. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-12-00183.1

With time and resources at a premium in many

communities, Baron Threat Net makes it simple

and cost-efficient to access the weather data

emergency managers public safety officials

need to predict, plan and prepare for a variety

of weather incidents.

Data is presented in an easy-to-understand

format and can help compensate for limited

public safety and EMP training in weather-

related disasters.

Outlined in this eBook are the most common

types of weather emergencies and the ways

Baron Threat Net can deliver critical weather

intelligence to help keep people and assets safe.

A Wealth of Complex Data. One Simple Solution.

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HURRICANESA Formula For Disaster

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Name That Hurricane

In 1953, the National Hurricane Center

established a list of names for Atlantic tropical

storms. Six yearly lists were created and are

recycled every six years. The names on each list

remain the same unless there is a storm so

costly or deadly that to reuse that name again

would be inappropriate. Should this situation

arise, that name is taken off the list and a new

name is chosen by the World Meteorological

Organization to replace it.

Since 1954, 80 names have been retired

including Hazel, Katrina, Fran, Sandy and

Andrew.

Danger Has A Name

2016 Atlantic Tropical Hurricane Names

Alex Hermine Otto

Bonnie Ian Paula

Colin Julia Richard

Danielle Karl Shary

Earl Lisa Tobias

Fiona Matthew Virginie

Gaston Nicole Walter

9Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml

As temperatures rise, so do the odds

The North Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June

1 through November 30, however tropical storms and

hurricanes have the ability to form at any time as long as the

conditions are right.

The peak timeframe for North Atlantic hurricanes lies

between August and October when the water is warmest, the

wind shear is smallest, and the easterly waves are most

vigorous. As a result, the hurricanes that have formed during

this window include:

• 90% of the 10 deadliest hurricanes

• 97% of Category 5 hurricanes

• 100% of the costliest U.S. hurricanes

In addition, the five most intense hurricanes have made

landfall with a 17-day period spanning August 17 to

September 2.

‘Tis The Season

10Sources: http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/near-normal-atlantic-hurricane-season-is-most-likely-yearhttps://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-season-peak-atlantic-infographic-20140801

The band where hurricanes rise

Tropical cyclones are like engines that require warm,

moist air as fuel. So the first ingredient needed for a

tropical cyclone is warm ocean water. That is why

tropical cyclones form only in tropical regions where

the ocean is at least 80 degrees F for at least the top

50 meters (about 165 feet) below the surface.

The second ingredient for a tropical cyclone is wind.

In the case of hurricanes that form in the Atlantic

Ocean, the wind blowing westward across the

Atlantic from Africa provides the necessary

ingredient. As the wind passes over the ocean's

surface, water evaporates (turns into water vapor)

and rises. As it rises, the water vapor cools, and

condenses back into large water droplets, forming

large cumulonimbus clouds. These clouds are just

the beginning.

.

The Hurricane Generation Zone

11Sources: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Hurricanes/http://news.mit.edu/2010/hurricane-thermostate-0304

Swirling bands of chaos

Meteorologists have divided the development

of a hurricane into four stages: Tropical

disturbance, tropical depression, tropical storm,

and full-fledged Hurricane.

1. Tropical disturbance

When the water vapor from the warm ocean

condenses to form clouds, it releases its heat to

the air. The warmed air rises and is pulled into

the column of clouds. Evaporation and

condensation continue, building the cloud

columns higher and larger. A pattern develops,

with the wind circulating around a center (like

water going down a drain). As the moving

column of air encounters more clouds, it

becomes a cluster of thunderstorm clouds,

called a tropical disturbance.

Evolution Of A Hurricane

12Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Swirling bands of chaos

2. Tropical Depression

As the thunderstorm grows higher and larger,

the air at the top of the cloud column is

cooling and becoming unstable. As the heat

energy is released from the cooling water

vapor, the air at the top of the clouds becomes

warmer, making the air pressure higher and

causing winds to move outward away from the

high pressure area. This movement and

warming causes pressures at the surface to

drop. Then air at the surface moves toward the

lower pressure area, rises, and creates more

thunderstorms. Winds in the storm cloud

column spin faster and faster, whipping around

in a circular motion. When the winds reach

between 25 and 38 mph, the storm is called a

tropical depression.

Evolution Of A Hurricane

Tropical Depression Symbol

13Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Swirling bands of chaos

3. Tropical Storm

When the wind speeds reach 39 mph, the

tropical depression becomes a tropical storm.

This is also when the storm gets a name. The

winds blow faster and begin twisting and

turning around the eye, or calm center, of the

storm. Wind direction is counterclockwise (west

to east) in the northern hemisphere and

clockwise (east to west) in the southern

hemisphere. This phenomenon is known as the

Coriolis effect.

Evolution Of A Hurricane

Tropical Storm Symbol

14Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Swirling bands of chaos

4. Hurricane (Tropical Cyclone)

When the wind speeds reach 74 mph, the storm is

officially a tropical cyclone, otherwise known as a

Hurricane. The storm is at least 50,000 feet high and

around 125 miles across. The eye is around 5 to 30 miles

wide. The trade winds (which blow from east to west)

push the Hurricane toward the west—toward the

Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the southeastern coast

of the U.S. The winds and the low air pressure also cause

a huge mound of ocean water to pile up near the eye of

the tropical cyclone, which can cause monster storm

surges when all this water reaches land.

Hurricanes usually weaken when they hit land, because

they are no longer being fed by the energy from the

warm ocean waters. However, they often move far inland,

resulting in flooding and wind damage before they die

out completely.

Evolution Of A Hurricane

Hurricane Symbol

15Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Wind Shear: Hurricane Killers

Wind shear is a change in wind speed and/or

direction over a short distance. It can occur

either horizontally or vertically and is most

often associated with strong temperature

inversions or density gradients. Wind shear

can occur at high or low altitudes.

Hurricanes form most easily in the absence of

wind shear. But when wind shear does occur,

the structure of the hurricane becomes tilted

which negatively impacts the flow of heat and

moisture in the center of the storm. This

makes the storm less efficient at drawing its

primary fuel – warm, moist ocean air – less

likely to develop and strengthen.

What Can Take Down A Hurricane?

16Source: https://www.wunderground.com/education/shear.asp

Warmer water fuels,

Cooler water remains

We have established that warm water fuels development of

hurricanes. But did you also know that the movement of a

hurricane cools the surface temperature of the ocean?

Three things happen during a hurricane that can contribute

to ocean cooling:

• Hurricanes transfer heat from the water to the atmosphere

through evaporation

• Hurricanes pull cold water from deep below the surface

due to “suction” generated by the low-pressure center of

the storm.

• Cloud cover may prevent the ocean’s surface from

receiving direct sunlight before and after the storm passes.

Hurricanes Rita and Katrina dropped ocean temperatures by

more than 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Cooling Effects Of Hurricanes

17Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=6223

Accessible anytime and anywhere, Baron Threat Net® delivers critical weather

intelligence in an easy-to-read format for fast, informed and effective situational

decisions – freeing you up to focus on keeping people and assets safe. Here are just a

few of ways to predict, plan and respond to catastrophic events:

• Track current conditions and forecasts that give 24/7 accurate, detailed coverage

based on a professional, proprietary weather system.

• Monitor a changing situation in real-time or up to 7 days out

• Evaluate incoming threats from tropical storms and hurricanes – high winds,

heavy rains, flooding, lightning and more on the county, city or town or street level.

• Utilize high-resolution, customizable mapping for the ultimate view of operational conditions

• Point, click and save the data that matters most

• Assess threats with a full-screen interactive mode that provides unmatched visualization of severe

weather on a single screen

• Access local radar, storm markers, official storm tracks and hurricane hunter data

for a comprehensive view of approaching storms

• Use Telestration tools to make briefings on NWS warnings, watches, and advisories easy to prepare and

deliver

Baron Threat Net Advantage - Forecasting

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FORECASTING& TRACKING

Hope For The Best. Plan For The Worst.

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On a scale of 1 to 5, how dangerous is a

Hurricane?

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5

rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed.

This scale helps estimate potential property damage and

also provides critical data that helps communities

determine where and when to evacuate affected

communities, appropriate evacuation routes and more.

Hurricanes that are Category 3 or higher are designated

major hurricanes based on their ability to decimate

property and the potential for significant loss of lives.

Category 1 and 2 storms are still quite dangerous and

safety measures should be taken to prevent property

damage and protect citizens.

Measuring Ferocity

20Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php

Storm Surge: Nature’s deadly wall of water

Surprisingly, hurricane-fueled coastal flooding (created by storm surge, waves and tides) is actually the most significant

threat to life and property along the coastline.

The height of the storm surge (the bulge of water that crashes into the coastline during a storm) is determined by the

difference between the height of the storm tide and the predicted astronomical tide. This wall of water is driven ashore by

wind and the inverse barometric effect of low atmospheric pressure, and is influenced by waves, tides, and bathymetric

and topographic surfaces.

The likelihood and impact of the storm surge and coastal flooding depends the intensity of the hurricane, its size,

translational speed, angle of approach to the coast, landfall location, and the bottom slope at that location.

The Rush To Shore

21Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/

Diving into the heart of the hurricane

To determine the track and intensity of a hurricane,

forecasters gather data regarding atmospheric and

ocean conditions. Much of this data can be gathered

using satellites, but data also needs to be gathered via

air.

Currently, U.S. units that fly these missions are the Air

Force Reserve's 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron

and NOAA's Hurricane Hunters.

Data regarding wind, barometric pressure, temperature

and humidity is gathered throughout the entire flight

including from the eye of the storm, which presents a

host of dangerous conditions and violent turbulence.

Horizontal wind speeds can shift up to 100 mph in a few

seconds.

Yet despite the danger, only one flight has ever been

lost since they began flying these missions during WWII

in 1943.

A Dangerous Flight Path

22Source: http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/grounders/hurricanehunters.html

The cone of uncertainty

In Hurricane forecasting, the Cone of Uncertainty graphic is

designed to provide information to those that could be

potentially impacted by a tropical system.

The cone forecasts the path of the storm's center, or eye; two-

thirds of the time, the center of the storm will remain within

the cone. So in theory, one out of three storm centers will go

outside of the "cone" and impact areas outside of the

forecast.

It's also important to remember that tropical systems are

expansive storms and that even if the center of the storm

stays within the "cone" areas outside will still be affected. The

graphic only forecasts the path of the center of the storm and

high winds, flooding rains, tornados, storm surge, waves, etc.

occur even hundreds of miles outside the center of the storm.

Determining The Landfall Target

23Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutcone.shtml

Baron Threat Net Advantage – Eyeing A Hurricane

With a hurricane in the forecast, Baron Threat Net can provide all data you need to

assess its potential threat for your community:

• Utilize the official storm forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and Official Tropical

Track Forecast dataset – the Cone of Uncertainty – to visualize where the NHC is forecasting the

travel path of the storm center over the next 120 hours (5 days)

• Interact with the Cone of Uncertainty to see the storm’s predicted category strength, wind speed,

and wind gusts

• Track flying storm planes through Baron Threat Net, and interact with the path to see the latest

measurements during flights

• Access Tropical Model Forecasts, more commonly known as Spaghetti models, to see alternate

forecast models. While not official, it can be useful to see alternate scenarios and determine

whether models share similar paths.

• Monitor wind speeds, anticipated and accumulated rain totals and wave height conditions for

oceanic and fresh water waterways to gauge storm surge and potential flooding risks.

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RISING FLOODSKeep Your Head Above Water

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Inland Destruction: Wind & Water

As hurricanes weaken, they transition to tropical storms and

move inland, the impact of heavy rain bands and still strong

winds can adversely affect the safety and property of

citizens of inland communities. Flooding, infrastructure

damage, falling trees, and downed power lines are just a

few of the potential hazards.

Danger At Sea And On Land

26Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/outreach/history/

Inland Flooding: Saturated Land, Deadly

Consequences

Inland flooding can be a major threat to communities

hundreds of miles from the coast as intense rain falls

from these huge tropical air masses. With more than

60% of the U.S. population living in coastal states,

hurricane flooding can pose a severe threat.

Over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a

vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next

highest percentage of flood-related deaths happen

when people walk into or near flood waters. It takes as

little as six inches of water to sweep a person off their

feet. A small car can be swept downstream in about a

foot of rushing water and most any vehicle can be swept

away in just two feet of water.

Knee Deep In Devastation

27Sources:http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ohd/hurricane/inland_flooding.htmlhttps://weather.com/safety/hurricane/news/hurricanes-tropical-storms-us-deaths-surge-flooding

Flood Warnings & Watches: Danger Rises

with the Water

Flash Flood Warning

Issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring.

People in flood prone areas should move

immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a

sudden violent flood that can happen in just a few

minutes or may take hours. It is also possible to

experience a flash flood in areas not actually

receiving rain, but feeling the effects from water

flowing from heavy rains in nearby communities.

Flood Warning

Issued when a dangerous weather event is

happening and flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flooding: When Safety Washes Away

28Source: http://www.weather.gov/lwx/WarningsDefined

Baron Threat Net Advantage – Water Watch

Often with tropical threats comes a flood of information such as advisories,

watches, and warnings. Baron Threat Net helps to keep you organized and

informed with a variety of features that allow you to:

• Interact with the NWS Watches & Warnings dataset in BTN to click on your community and see

exactly what the NWS wants you to know

• Utilize Baron’s 24-Hr Rainfall Accumulation product to see which communities have received the

most rain in the last 24 hours

• Check the Forecast Precipitation product to track different types of precipitation through the next

four days and determine where the storm will hit hardest

• Utilize the Precipitation Accumulation product to gauge how much precipitation will fall based on

the Baron Model – plot locations on a map, animate through time, to quickly see how much

precipitation is expected

• Use Baron’s Road Conditions to keep an eye on the roads during tropical storm and hurricane

downpours to know what roads are likely being flooded. Combine with street level mapping,

interactivity, and the ability to query, to determine which roads are slippery or impassable.

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YOUR ADVANTAGE

Get Ahead Of The Storm

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Baron Threat Net delivers the critical weather intelligence emergency management professionals need

to focus on most through high-resolution, customizable mapping for the ultimate view of operational

conditions. With the ability to monitor your weather on a county, city or town or street level, Baron

Threat Net improves your ability to quickly scan, monitor and investigate all severe weather on a single

screen.

We also give you the ability to access local radar, storm vectors, winds and lightning data for a

comprehensive view of approaching storms. Other tools help you assess winter weather, road

conditions and more. Telestration tools make briefings on NWS warnings, watches, and advisories easy

to prepare and deliver. Just select and display the custom layer combinations of the weather and map

views critical to your operations.

Your City, Your Weather, Your View.

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MOTHER NATURE WON’T WAIT.

Order Today!

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please contact us at (256) 881-8811 or sales@baronthreatnet.com

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