Thread: Hurricane Facts and Tidbits

Names for the 2007 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season:

Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dean
Erin
Felix
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Noel
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy

Category 1 "Minimal"
Sustained winds of 74-95 mph (64-82 knots)
Probable Storm Surge: 3-5 ft
Typical damage: Downed tree limbs, pier damage, beach erosion, sign damage, possible downed power lines and some power outages, coastal road flooding
Evacuation usually on a voluntary basis

Category 2 "Moderate"
Sustained winds of 96-110 mph (83-95 knts)
Probable Storm Surge: 6-8 ft
Typical damage: Some downed trees and signs, some roor, window and door damage, possible structural damage to mobile homes, major pier and marina damage; Coast roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water ahead of landfall; moderate power outages and downed power lines
Evacuation of Coastal and low lying areas

If a storm of this magnitude is approaching your area, do NOT take it lightly!

Category 3 "EXTENSIVE"
Sustained winds of 111-130 mph (63-1113 knts)
Probable Storm Surge:9-12 ft
Examples of damage: Large trees and signs down, mobile homes and smaller coastal structures could be completely destroyed; serioius damage to larger and well constructed structures, especially on or near the coast; downed power lines and poles; widespread power outages; possible contamination of water supply; flooding and possible danger from displaced indigenous wildlife in water (example- snakes and/or gators); Escape routes cut off or closed near or in advance of landfall.
Mandatoray evacuations of coastal, low-lying areas, and mobile homes usually ordered.

Category 4 "EXTREME"
Sustained winds of 131-155 mph (114-135 knts)
Probable Storm Surge: 13-18 ft
Examples of damage: Complete roof failures, flooding of first floors of even very sturdy buildings, widespread lengthy power outages; complete destruction of most mobile homes and smaller structures; Major damage to sturdier structures from wind, falling trees, utility poles, flooding, storm surge, and battering waves and large floating debris well inland; shortages to complete unavailavbility of food, water, ice, fuel, emergency services;
DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT TRYING TO RIDE IT OUT

Category 5 "CATISTROPHIC"
Sustained winds in excess of 156 mph (136 knts)
Probable Storm Surge: 19+ ft
Examples of damage: Widespread utter devistation. Complete collapses of many structures. Lond-term recovery efforts and possible infrastructure rebuilding could be needed. Many vehicles, trees, and structures will be turned into debris.
YOU SHOULD BE LONG GONE WAY BEFORE THIS THING APPROACHES

Remember that, while the NWS has gotten more skilled at predicting the path of a storm, it is still difficult to accurately predict intensity at landfall.

A Cat 1 or 2 storm that is just 12 hours away COULD easily become a Cat 3 or higher before landfall. There are ample expamles of both rapid intensification and weakening just prior to landfall.

Remember that, while the NWS has gotten more skilled at predicting the path of a storm, it is still difficult to accurately predict intensity at landfall.

A Cat 1 or 2 storm that is just 12 hours away COULD easily become a Cat 3 or higher before landfall. There are ample expamles of both rapid intensification and weakening just prior to landfall.

Storms used to be categorized by minimum central pressure, butr are not classified according to minimum sustained winds of one minute or more.

Many people still monitor the falling (or rising) minimum central pressure to get an idea of what a storm is doing - or may be doing in terms of stength. (Especially when it is still over water)

The lower the minimum central pressure, the stronger the storm.

A storm or system gets my attention when the pressure falls and stays below 1000 mb.


Old Cat 1 980+ mb
Old Cat 2 979-965 mb
Old Cat 3 964-945 mb
Old Cat 4 944-920 mb
Old Cat 5 less than 920 mb

2007 Named Storm Systems
Andrea Tropical storm off Florida / Georgia coast; May 9-10. Top winds: 45 mph. Landfall: none. Winds fanned the flames of large wildfires in the two states, helping to spread the fires.

Names REMAINING
Barry
Chantal
Dean
Erin
Felix
Gabrielle
Humberto
Ingrid
Jerry
Karen
Lorenzo
Melissa
Noel
Olga
Pablo
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy

Thank you for posting this info. I'm not too knowledgable about the subject, living where the ground may shake but the winds usually come when it's dry outside.

Here's to hoping it isn't a bad year.

Learn your evacuation routes.

And evacuate early, before they are closed by local authorities, or cut off by rising water!

ALSO:

Do you have a NOAA Weather Radio?

If not - PLEASE get one!