Understanding Hurricanes
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Wind Speed-Damage Correlation in Hurricane Katrina
JP 1.36 WIND SPEED-DAMAGE CORRELATION IN HURRICANE KATRINA Timothy P. Marshall* Haag Engineering Co. Dallas, Texas 1. INTRODUCTION According to Knabb et al. (2006), Hurricane Katrina Mehta et al. (1983) and Kareem (1984) utilized the was the costliest hurricane disaster in the United States to concept of wind speed-damage correlation after date. The hurricane caused widespread devastation from Hurricanes Frederic and Alicia, respectively. In essence, Florida to Louisiana to Mississippi making a total of three each building acts like an anemometer that records the landfalls before dissipating over the Ohio River Valley. wind speed. A range of failure wind speeds can be The storm damaged or destroyed many properties, determined by analyzing building damage whereas especially near the coasts. undamaged buildings can provide upper bounds to the Since the hurricane, various agencies have conducted wind speeds. In 2006, WSEC developed a wind speed- building damage assessments to estimate the wind fields damage scale entitled the EF-scale, named after the late that occurred during the storm. The National Oceanic Dr. Ted Fujita. The author served on this committee. and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, 2005a) Wind speed-damage correlation is useful especially conducted aerial and ground surveys and published a when few ground-based wind speed measurements are wind speed map. Likewise, the Federal Emergency available. Such was the case in Hurricane Katrina when Management Agency (FEMA, 2006) conducted a similar most of the automated stations failed before the eye study and produced another wind speed map. Both reached the coast. However, mobile towers were studies used a combination of wind speed-damage deployed by Texas Tech University (TTU) at Slidell, LA correlation, actual wind measurements, as well as and Bay St. -
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita – Louisiana's Response And
HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA – LOUISIANA’S RESPONSE AND RECOVERY Ray A. Mumphrey, P.E., Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Hossein Ghara, P.E., MBA, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Baton Rouge, Louisiana KEYWORDS: Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Contra flow, Inundation, Fixed and Movable Bridges, Open Water Bridges, Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority ABSTRACT: Louisiana’s transportation and hurricane protection system took a tremendous blow from two major hurricanes that struck the coast of Louisiana in 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This presentation will introduce the audience to the transportation infrastructure damage Louisiana experienced as a result of these two storms and will describe how Louisiana is responding to the disasters and our road to recovery. Figure 1 - Hurricanes that hit the coast of Louisiana since 1900 As Louisiana residents, we become accustom to the ever present threat of hurricanes. Refer to figure 1. Much like other parts of the country, which have other natural disasters such as tornados, mud slides, avalanches or earthquakes, we just prepare for the worst, minimize loss of life and property, and thank God when it’s all over. As engineers we know we can always rebuild structures, and possibly restore livelihoods, but loss of life is not replaceable. 2005 STORMS Hurricane Katrina was a category 4 storm when it made landfall on August 29, 2005, along the Louisiana – Mississippi Gulf Coast. The storm was fast moving and provided minimum time for preparation. Refer to figure 2. “Hurricane Katrina was the most destructive hurricane to ever strike the U.S.” NOAA Just as we were getting back on our feet from the impacts of Hurricane Katrina, BAM! We were faced with another storm, Rita. -
Hurricane Andrew and Insurance: the Enduring Impact of An
HURRICANE ANDREW AND INSURANCE: THE ENDURING IMPACT OF AN HISTORIC STORM AUGUST 2012 Lynne McChristian Florida Representative, Insurance Information Institute (813) 480-6446 [email protected] Florida Office: Insurance Information Institute, 4775 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617 INTRODUCTION Hurricane Andrew hit Florida on August 24, 1992, and the tumult for the property insurance market there has not ceased in the 20 years since. Andrew was the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history in terms of insurance payouts to people whose homes, vehicles and businesses were damaged by the storm when it struck Florida and Louisiana in 1992. The insurance claims payout totaled $15.5 billion at the time ($25 billion in 2011 dollars). Even today, the storm is the second costliest natural disaster; Hurricane Katrina, which hit in 2005, is the most costly natural disaster. But the cost is only part of Andrew’s legacy. It also revealed that Florida’s vulnerability to hurricanes had been seriously underestimated. That reality was not lost on other coastal states nor on the insurance industry, which reassessed their exposure to catastrophic storm damage in the aftermath of Andrew. The event brought a harsh awakening and forced individuals, insurers, legislators, insurance regulators and state governments to come to grips with the necessity of preparing both financially and physically for unprecedented natural disasters. Many of the insurance market changes that have occurred nationally over the last two decades can be traced to the wakeup call delivered by Hurricane Andrew. These include: . More carefully managed coastal exposure. Larger role of government in insuring coastal risks. -
Investigation and Prediction of Hurricane Eyewall
INVESTIGATION AND PREDICTION OF HURRICANE EYEWALL REPLACEMENT CYCLES By Matthew Sitkowski A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences) at the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON 2012 Date of final oral examination: 4/9/12 The dissertation is approved by the following members of the Final Oral Committee: James P. Kossin, Affiliate Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Daniel J. Vimont, Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Steven A. Ackerman, Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Jonathan E. Martin, Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Gregory J. Tripoli, Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences i Abstract Flight-level aircraft data and microwave imagery are analyzed to investigate hurricane secondary eyewall formation and eyewall replacement cycles (ERCs). This work is motivated to provide forecasters with new guidance for predicting and better understanding the impacts of ERCs. A Bayesian probabilistic model that determines the likelihood of secondary eyewall formation and a subsequent ERC is developed. The model is based on environmental and geostationary satellite features. A climatology of secondary eyewall formation is developed; a 13% chance of secondary eyewall formation exists when a hurricane is located over water, and is also utilized by the model. The model has been installed at the National Hurricane Center and has skill in forecasting secondary eyewall formation out to 48 h. Aircraft reconnaissance data from 24 ERCs are examined to develop a climatology of flight-level structure and intensity changes associated with ERCs. Three phases are identified based on the behavior of the maximum intensity of the hurricane: intensification, weakening and reintensification. -
A FAILURE of INITIATIVE Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina
A FAILURE OF INITIATIVE Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina U.S. House of Representatives 4 A FAILURE OF INITIATIVE A FAILURE OF INITIATIVE Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina Union Calendar No. 00 109th Congress Report 2nd Session 000-000 A FAILURE OF INITIATIVE Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina Report by the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.gpoacess.gov/congress/index.html February 15, 2006. — Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed U. S. GOVERNMEN T PRINTING OFFICE Keeping America Informed I www.gpo.gov WASHINGTON 2 0 0 6 23950 PDF For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512-1800; DC area (202) 512-1800 Fax: (202) 512-2250 Mail: Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-0001 COVER PHOTO: FEMA, BACKGROUND PHOTO: NASA SELECT BIPARTISAN COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE PREPARATION FOR AND RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA TOM DAVIS, (VA) Chairman HAROLD ROGERS (KY) CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (CT) HENRY BONILLA (TX) STEVE BUYER (IN) SUE MYRICK (NC) MAC THORNBERRY (TX) KAY GRANGER (TX) CHARLES W. “CHIP” PICKERING (MS) BILL SHUSTER (PA) JEFF MILLER (FL) Members who participated at the invitation of the Select Committee CHARLIE MELANCON (LA) GENE TAYLOR (MS) WILLIAM J. -
Federal Disaster Assistance After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Gustav, and Ike
Federal Disaster Assistance After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Gustav, and Ike Updated February 26, 2019 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R43139 Federal Disaster Assistance After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Gustav, and Ike Summary This report provides information on federal financial assistance provided to the Gulf States after major disasters were declared in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas in response to the widespread destruction that resulted from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005 and Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008. Though the storms happened over a decade ago, Congress has remained interested in the types and amounts of federal assistance that were provided to the Gulf Coast for several reasons. This includes how the money has been spent, what resources have been provided to the region, and whether the money has reached the intended people and entities. The financial information is also useful for congressional oversight of the federal programs provided in response to the storms. It gives Congress a general idea of the federal assets that are needed and can be brought to bear when catastrophic disasters take place in the United States. Finally, the financial information from the storms can help frame the congressional debate concerning federal assistance for current and future disasters. The financial information for the 2005 and 2008 Gulf Coast storms is provided in two sections of this report: 1. Table 1 of Section I summarizes disaster assistance supplemental appropriations enacted into public law primarily for the needs associated with the five hurricanes, with the information categorized by federal department and agency; and 2. -
ANNUAL SUMMARY Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2005
MARCH 2008 ANNUAL SUMMARY 1109 ANNUAL SUMMARY Atlantic Hurricane Season of 2005 JOHN L. BEVEN II, LIXION A. AVILA,ERIC S. BLAKE,DANIEL P. BROWN,JAMES L. FRANKLIN, RICHARD D. KNABB,RICHARD J. PASCH,JAMIE R. RHOME, AND STACY R. STEWART Tropical Prediction Center, NOAA/NWS/National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida (Manuscript received 2 November 2006, in final form 30 April 2007) ABSTRACT The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active of record. Twenty-eight storms occurred, includ- ing 27 tropical storms and one subtropical storm. Fifteen of the storms became hurricanes, and seven of these became major hurricanes. Additionally, there were two tropical depressions and one subtropical depression. Numerous records for single-season activity were set, including most storms, most hurricanes, and highest accumulated cyclone energy index. Five hurricanes and two tropical storms made landfall in the United States, including four major hurricanes. Eight other cyclones made landfall elsewhere in the basin, and five systems that did not make landfall nonetheless impacted land areas. The 2005 storms directly caused nearly 1700 deaths. This includes approximately 1500 in the United States from Hurricane Katrina— the deadliest U.S. hurricane since 1928. The storms also caused well over $100 billion in damages in the United States alone, making 2005 the costliest hurricane season of record. 1. Introduction intervals for all tropical and subtropical cyclones with intensities of 34 kt or greater; Bell et al. 2000), the 2005 By almost all standards of measure, the 2005 Atlantic season had a record value of about 256% of the long- hurricane season was the most active of record. -
Hurricane Katrina, August 2005 (NOAA) Based on a Slideshow by Robbie Berg, National Hurricane Center Learning Objectives
NOAA text modified and supplemented by BYU-Idaho faculty Hurricane Katrina, August 2005 (NOAA) Based on a slideshow by Robbie Berg, National Hurricane Center Learning Objectives Your goals in studying this chapter are to: • Understand the types of tropical cyclones. • Understand how hurricanes form. • Understand where and when hurricanes form. • Understand safety measures to take before, during, and after a hurricane. • Understand watches and warnings. • Understand the factors that help or hinder hurricane development. • Understand the hurricane categories. • Understand the hazards caused by hurricanes. Galveston, Texas before and after Hurricane Ike. Why Learn About Hurricane Hazards? Hurricane Ike, 2008 (NOAA) History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster. Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents. The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely watches and warnings, but it is essential that your family be ready before a storm approaches. Furthermore, mariners should be aware of special safety precautions when confronted with a hurricane. Download the Tropical Cyclone Preparedness Guide (PDF) or follow the links for more information. But remember, this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense. Definitions A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. -
Summary Report on Building Performance
Summary Report on Building Performance Hurricane Katrina 2005 FEMA 548 / April 2006 DRAFT March 23, 2006 FEMA In response to Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed a Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) to evaluate and assess damage from the hurricane and provide observations, conclusions, and recommendations on the performance of buildings and other structures impacted by flood and wind forces. The MAT included engineers and other experts from FEMA Headquarters and Regional Offices, and from the design and construction industry. This is a summary of the information that can be found in the full MAT report Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Building Performance Observations, Recommendations, and Technical Guidance (FEMA 549, 2006). SATELLITE IMAGES UseD IN THis REPORT ARE COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) Summary Report on Building Performance Hurricane Katrina 2005 FEMA 548 / April 2006 FEMA Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................... iii Chapter 1: Purpose and Background .................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Background ............................................................................................................................................ -
Storms Surging: Building Resilience in Extreme Weather
ALLIANZ GLOBAL CORPORATE & SPECIALTY® STORMS SURGING BUILDING RESILIENCE IN EXTREME WEATHER Hurricane seen from space. Source: 3dmotus / Shutterstock.com HURRICANE REPORT 2020 STORMS SURGING: BUILDING RESILIENCE IN EXTREME WEATHER Hurricane approaching tropical island coastline. Source: Ryan DeBerardinis / Shutterstock.com The intensity, frequency and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as TOP 10 COSTLIEST HURRICANES IN THE UNITED STATES2 well as the frequency of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes, have all increased ($ millions) since the early 1980s. Hurricane-associated flooding and rainfall rates Rank Date Location Hurricane Estimated insured loss In 2018 dollars3 are projected to rise. Models project a slight decrease in the annual Dollars when occurred number of tropical cyclones, but an increase in the number of the 1 August 25-30, 2005 AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, TN Hurricane Katrina $41,100 $51,882 strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes going forward1. 2 September 19-22, 2017 PR, USVI Hurricane Maria4 $25,000-30,000 $25,600-30,700 3 September 6-12, 2017 AL, FL, GA, NC, PR, SC, UV Hurricane Irma4 $22,000-27,000 $22,500-27,600 4 August 25-Sep. 1, 2017 AL, LA, MS, NC, TN, TX Hurricane Harvey4 $18,000-20,000 $18,400-20,400 5 October 28-31, 2012 CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, Hurricane Sandy $18,750 $20,688 NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV 6 August 24-26, 1992 FL, LA Hurricane Andrew $15,500 $25,404 7 September 12-14, 2008 AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, OH, PA, TX Hurricane Ike $12,500 $14,631 WILL 2020 BE ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR? 8 October 10-12, -
Estimating Tropical Cyclone Intensity from Infrared Image Data
690 WEATHER AND FORECASTING VOLUME 26 Estimating Tropical Cyclone Intensity from Infrared Image Data MIGUEL F. PIN˜ EROS College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona ELIZABETH A. RITCHIE Department of Atmospheric Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona J. SCOTT TYO College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Manuscript received 20 December 2010, in final form 28 February 2011) ABSTRACT This paper describes results from a near-real-time objective technique for estimating the intensity of tropical cyclones from satellite infrared imagery in the North Atlantic Ocean basin. The technique quantifies the level of organization or axisymmetry of the infrared cloud signature of a tropical cyclone as an indirect measurement of its maximum wind speed. The final maximum wind speed calculated by the technique is an independent estimate of tropical cyclone intensity. Seventy-eight tropical cyclones from the 2004–09 seasons are used both to train and to test independently the intensity estimation technique. Two independent tests are performed to test the ability of the technique to estimate tropical cyclone intensity accurately. The best results from these tests have a root-mean-square intensity error of between 13 and 15 kt (where 1 kt ’ 0.5 m s21) for the two test sets. 1. Introduction estimate the intensity of tropical cyclones was developed by V. Dvorak in the 1970s during the early years of Tropical cyclones (TC) form over the warm waters of satellites (Dvorak 1975). In this technique, an analyst the tropical oceans where direct measurements of their classifies the cloud scene types in visible and infrared intensity (among other factors) are scarce (Gray 1979; satellite imagery and applies a set of rules to calculate McBride 1995). -
Preliminary Hurricane Irma Post-Storm Beach Conditions And
Preliminary Hurricane Irma Post-Storm Beach Conditions and Coastal Impact Report Division of Water Resource Management Florida Department of Environmental Protection October 2017 Florida Department of Environmental Protection Preliminary Hurricane Irma Postal-Storm Beach Conditions and Coastal Impact Report Table of Contents I. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 2 II. Hurricane Irma: August 30 – September 15, 2017 ........................................................................ 4 III. Hurricane Irma Impact Summary and Overview ..................................................................... 11 Table 1. Beach and Dune Erosion Summary. ........................................................................................ 11 Table 2. Summary of Major Structural Damage to Major Structures by Hurricane Irma along the Coast of Peninsula Florida (Florida Keys not included). ......................................... 16 Table 3. Summary of Coastal Armoring Damage Caused by Hurricane Irma. ..................................... 17 IV. Detailed Damage Assessment by County .................................................................................... 18 St. Johns County .................................................................................................................................... 19 Flagler County ......................................................................................................................................