DOCSLIB.ORG

Hurricane Risk Reduction Strategies in the Windward Islands: Public and Practitioner’S Perspectives

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hurricane Risk Reduction Strategies in the Windward Islands: Public and Practitioner’S Perspectives HURRICANE RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES IN THE WINDWARD ISLANDS: PUBLIC AND PRACTITIONER’S PERSPECTIVES Grenada after Hurricane Ivan 2004 IDELIA M.A. FERDINAND A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Business, Environment and Society, Coventry University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for a MSc (by research) in Disaster Management November 2006 June, too soon, July stand by August, beware you must September remember, October all over. (Crawford, W.P. 1992:152) ABSTRACT There is a hurricane season every year in the Caribbean from June 1st to November 30th; however it is possible for hurricanes to occur outside this period. There are different perspectives of hurricanes held by experts to that of the public and this often create discrepancies in implementing risk reduction measures. Perception of hazards plays a role in how people will respond and make decisions. The Windward Islands are not in the direct path of hurricanes when compared to the Caribbean Islands in the north of the Island Arc, however they are often affected even by the presence of a storm in the region which may cause major devastation. While a lot of preparations are done to reduce the effects of hurricanes on a short term basis long term risk reduction strategies are minimal or maybe done in isolation to the community. There is therefore need to refocus the goals of Disaster Management to encompass risk reduction in the Windward Island and the Caribbean region as a whole. This can be done more effectively by incorporating the community on a greater level into planning and policies design aimed at risk reduction. Hence there is need for the promotion of a participatory community approach, improvement in early warning systems and greater collaboration in the Caribbean region to make use of the limited resources. i LIST OF ACRONYMS AOSIS – Alliance of Small Island States BGA – Banana Growers Association CARICOM – Caribbean Community CDB – Caribbean Development Bank CDERA – Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency CDM – Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Strategy CDMP – Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project CIMH - The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology CIA – Central Intelligence Agency CIDA – Canadian International Development Agency CRED/EM–DAT – Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters /Emergencies Database CUBiC – Caribbean Uniform Building Code CWSA – Central Water and Sewerage Authority DFID – Department for International Development ECHO - European Commission Humanitarian Office EEC – European Economic Community EWC – Conference on Early Warning EU – European Union GDP – Gross Domestic Product IADB – Inter-American Development Bank IFRC – International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ISDR – International Strategy for Disaster Reduction ii NDO – National Disaster Office NEMO – National Emergency Management Organisation NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration OAS – Organisation of American States OCHA – UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs OECS – Organisation for Eastern Caribbean states OFDA – Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance PAHO – Pan American Health Organisation PCDPPP – Pan Caribbean Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Project SVG – St Vincent and the Grenadines SIDS – Small Islands Developing States SPSS – Statistical Program for Social Sciences SWOT – Strengths Weaknesses Opportunity Threats UNDRO – United Nations Disaster Relief Organisation USAID – United States Agency for International Development VINLEC – St Vincent Electricity Company WINFA – Windward Islands Farmers Association WHO – World Health Organisation WMO – World Meteorological Organisation iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ……………………………………………………………………….…… ……i List of acronyms ……………………………………………………………….…..........ii Table of contents …………………………………………………………….…….. …..iv Acknowledgement ……………………………………………………...........................xi 1 INTRODUCTION TO STUDY ………………………………………………...…1 1.1 Chapter introduction ………………………………………………...………............1 1.2 Background to study …………………………………………………………….......1 1.3 Aim and objectives ……………………………………………………………….....2 1.4 The windward island: study area ……………………………………………............3 1.4.1 Geography of the islands ………………………………………………….3 1.4.2 St Vincent and the Grenadines ………………………………………........5 1.4.3 Kingstown …………………………………………………………….......6 1.4.4 Georgetown ……………………………………………………………….8 2 RISKS AND PERCEPTIONS OF RISKS ………………………………………10 2.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………………………...10 2.2 The Windward island society ………………………………………………….......10 2.1.1 Hurricanes ………………………………………………………………..11 2.2.2 Political structure ………………………………………………………...15 2.2.3 Socio-economic structure and vulnerability ……………………………..15 2.2.4 The evolution of disaster management in the Caribbean: Windward Islands………………………………………………………19 2.3 Hazards, vulnerability and disasters ……………………………………………….21 2.3.1 Hazards and disaster ……………………………………………………..21 iv 2.3.2 Vulnerability ……………………………………………………………..26 2.4 Risks: perception and communication ……………………………………………..29 2.4.1 Risk perception …………………………………………………………..29 2.4.2 Risk... ………..…….………………………………………………….….32 2.4.3 Risk communication: warning and information dissemination ……………………………………………………...……..34 2.4.4 Risk reduction: preparedness and mitigation …………………………….37 2.4.5 Preparedness and mitigation ……………………………………………..38 3 METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………………………….40 3.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………. ….40 3.2 Research approach …………………………………………………………………40 3.3 Rationale for selection of locations ……………………………………………. ….42 3.4 Analysis of frequency and impacts of hurricanes ………………………………….44 3.4.1 Limitations ………………………………………………………….…....45 3.5 Sampling …………………………………………………………………………...45 3.5.1 Practitioners sub sampling approach ………………..…………………...48 3.5.2 Questionnaires for the public and sub sampling approach ……………....51 3.6 Interviews ………………………………………………………………………….52 3.6.1 Choice of method...…………………………………………………….…52 3.6.2 Ethics and consent form ………………………………………………….53 3.6.3 Designing interviews .................................................................................53 3.6.4 Conducting interviews ...............................................................................54 3.6.5 Process of analysis .....................................................................................54 3.6.6 Limitations and bias....................................................................................54 3.7 Questionnaires ..........................................................................................................55 v 3.7.1 Choice of methods .....................................................................................55 3.7.2 Ethics and consent .....................................................................................55 3.7.3 Designing questionnaire ............................................................................56 3.7.4 Issuing questionnaires................................................................................57 3.7.5 Process of analysis ....................................................................................58 3.7.6 Limitations and biases................................................................................58 3.8 Focus groups .............................................................................................................58 3.9 Researcher’s Positionality ……………………………………..…………………..61 4 RESULTS FINDINGS ............................................................................................62 4.1 Historical analysis 1984 – 2004…………………………………………………….62 4.1.1 Impacts of hurricanes……………………………………………………..62 4.1.2 Atlantic hurricanes 1984 – 2005………………………………………….64 4.2 Questionnaire findings………………………...……………………………………68 4.2.1 Background information………………………………………………….68 4.2.2 Education…………………………………………………………………70 4.2.3 Housing…………………………………………………………………...72 4.2.4 Experience………………………………………………………………..76 4.2.5 Preparedness……………………………………………………………...77 4.2.6 Response………………………………………………………………….80 4.2.7 Recovery.…………………………………………………………………81 4.2.8 Perceived effectiveness…………………………………………………...82 4.3 Interviews with practitioners ………………………….…….……………………..83 4.3.1 Disaster management organisations: Windward Islands…………...…….84 4.3.2 Major hazards: interviewee’s perspectives ……………………………....86 A. Major hazards according to interviewees…………………………...87 vi B. Hazards responsible for most devastation……………......………….88 C. The most destructive agents of storms and hurricanes as perceived by interviewees…………………………………………..88 4.3.3 Communication of hurricane information …………………………….....89 A. Warning systems…………………………………………………….89 B. Percentage who receive warnings…………………………………...90 C. The functioning of the media………………………………………..90 4.3.4 Risk reduction…………………………………………………………….92 A. Views of work done by the authorities……………………………...92 B. Focus of risk reduction………………………………………………93 C. Challenges to risk reduction…………………………………………94 D. Funding for risk reduction strategies………………………………..95 4.3.5 Vulnerable groups ......................................................................................95 A. Most vulnerable groups according to practitioners…………………96 B. Addressing vulnerability……………………………………………96 5 ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION ..........................................................................99 5.1 Hazards in the Windward Islands: perception of hurricanes by public and Practitioners ……. ....................................................................................................99
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Texas Hurricane History
    Texas Hurricane History David Roth National Weather Service Camp Springs, MD Table of Contents Preface 3 Climatology of Texas Tropical Cyclones 4 List of Texas Hurricanes 8 Tropical Cyclone Records in Texas 11 Hurricanes of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries 12 Hurricanes of the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries 13 Hurricanes of the Late Nineteenth Century 16 The First Indianola Hurricane - 1875 21 Last Indianola Hurricane (1886)- The Storm That Doomed Texas’ Major Port 24 The Great Galveston Hurricane (1900) 29 Hurricanes of the Early Twentieth Century 31 Corpus Christi’s Devastating Hurricane (1919) 38 San Antonio’s Great Flood – 1921 39 Hurricanes of the Late Twentieth Century 48 Hurricanes of the Early Twenty-First Century 68 Acknowledgments 74 Bibliography 75 Preface Every year, about one hundred tropical disturbances roam the open Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. About fifteen of these become tropical depressions, areas of low pressure with closed wind patterns. Of the fifteen, ten become tropical storms, and six become hurricanes. Every five years, one of the hurricanes will become reach category five status, normally in the western Atlantic or western Caribbean. About every fifty years, one of these extremely intense hurricanes will strike the United States, with disastrous consequences. Texas has seen its share of hurricane activity over the many years it has been inhabited. Nearly five hundred years ago, unlucky Spanish explorers learned firsthand what storms along the coast of the Lone Star State were capable of. Despite these setbacks, Spaniards set down roots across Mexico and Texas and started colonies. Galleons filled with gold and other treasures sank to the bottom of the Gulf, off such locations as Padre and Galveston Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Belize), and Distribution in Yucatan
    University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland Institut of Zoology Ecology of the Black Catbird, Melanoptila glabrirostris, at Shipstern Nature Reserve (Belize), and distribution in Yucatan. J.Laesser Annick Morgenthaler May 2003 Master thesis supervised by Prof. Claude Mermod and Dr. Louis-Félix Bersier CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1. Aim and description of the study 2. Geographic setting 2.1. Yucatan peninsula 2.2. Belize 2.3. Shipstern Nature Reserve 2.3.1. History and previous studies 2.3.2. Climate 2.3.3. Geology and soils 2.3.4. Vegetation 2.3.5. Fauna 3. The Black Catbird 3.1. Taxonomy 3.2. Description 3.3. Breeding 3.4. Ecology and biology 3.5. Distribution and threats 3.6. Current protection measures FIRST PART: BIOLOGY, HABITAT AND DENSITY AT SHIPSTERN 4. Materials and methods 4.1. Census 4.1.1. Territory mapping 4.1.2. Transect point-count 4.2. Sizing and ringing 4.3. Nest survey (from hide) 5. Results 5.1. Biology 5.1.1. Morphometry 5.1.2. Nesting 5.1.3. Diet 5.1.4. Competition and predation 5.2. Habitat use and population density 5.2.1. Population density 5.2.2. Habitat use 5.2.3. Banded individuals monitoring 5.2.4. Distribution through the Reserve 6. Discussion 6.1. Biology 6.2. Habitat use and population density SECOND PART: DISTRIBUTION AND HABITATS THROUGHOUT THE RANGE 7. Materials and methods 7.1. Data collection 7.2. Visit to others sites 8. Results 8.1. Data compilation 8.2. Visited places 8.2.1. Corozalito (south of Shipstern lagoon) 8.2.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Geographical and Historical Variation in Hurricanes Across the Yucatán Peninsula
    Chapter 27 Geographical and Historical Variation in Hurricanes Across the Yucatán Peninsula Emery R. Boose David R. Foster Audrey Barker Plotkin Brian Hall INTRODUCTION Disturbance is a continual though varying theme in the history of the Yucatán Peninsula. Ancient Maya civilizations cleared and modified much of the forested landscape for millennia, and then abruptly abandoned large areas nearly 1,000 years ago, allowing forests of native species to reestablish and mature (Turner 1974; Hodell, Curtis, and Brenner 1995). More recently, late twentieth century population growth has fueled a resurgence of land-use activity including logging, slash-and-burn agriculture, large mechanized agricultural projects, tourism, and urban expansion (Turner et al. 2001; Turner, Geoghegan, and Foster 2002). Throughout this lengthy history, fires have affected the region—ignited purposefully or accidentally by humans, and occasionally by lightning (Lundell 1940; Snook 1998). And, as indicated by ancient Maya records, historical accounts, and contemporary observations, intense winds associated with hurricanes have repeatedly damaged forests and human settlements (Wilson 1980; Morales 1993). Despite the generally acknowledged importance of natural and human disturbance in the Yucatán Peninsula, there has been little attempt to quantify This research was supported by grants from the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (Land Cover Land-Use Change Program), the National Science Foundation (DEB-9318552, DEB-9411975), and the A. W. Mellon Foundation, and is a contribution from the Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research Program. 495 496 THE LOWLAND MAYA AREA the spatial and temporal distribution of this activity, or to interpret its relationship to modern vegetation patterns (cf. Lundell 1937, 1938; Cairns et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Revista 224.Indd
    U CARIBBEAn TROPICAL STORMS Ecological Implications for Pre-Hispanic and Contemporary Maya Subsistence on the Yucatan Peninsula Herman W. Konrad ABSTRACT The ecological stress factor of hurricanes is examined as a dimension of pre-Hispanic Maya adaptation to a tropical forest habitat in the Yucatan peninsula. Pre-Hispanic, colonial and contemporary texts as well as climatic data from the Caribbean region support the thesis that the hurricane was an integral feature of the pre-Hispanic Maya cosmology and ecological paradigm. The author argues that destruction of forests by tropical storms and subsequent succession cycles mimic not only swidden —"slash- and-burn"— agriculture, but also slower, natural succession cycles. With varying degrees of success, flora and fauna adapt to periodic, radical ecosystem disruption in the most frequently hard-hit areas. While not ignoring more widely-discussed issues surrounding the longevity and decline of pre-Hispanic Maya civilization, such as political development, settlement patterns, migration, demographic stability, warfare and trade, the author suggests that effective adaptation to the ecological effects of tropical storms helped determine the success of pre-Hispanic Herman W. Konrad. university Maya subsistence strategies. of Calgary. Email: [email protected] gary.ca NÚMERO 224 • PRIMER TRIMESTRE DE 2003 • 99 Herman W. Konrad RESuMEn Los efectos ecológicos causados por los huracanes se analizan en el contexto de la adaptación de los mayas prehispánicos a la selva de la península de Yucatán. Textos prehispánicos, coloniales y contemporáneos, así como información climática sobre el Caribe en general, apoyan la hipótesis de que el huracán era un elemento central en la cosmovisión y el paradigma ecológico prehispánico.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricanes of 1955 Gordon E
    DECEMBEB1955 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW 315 HURRICANES OF 1955 GORDON E. DUNN, WALTER R. DAVIS, AND PAUL L. MOORE Weather Bureau Offrce, Miami, Fla. 1. GENERAL SUMMARY grouping i,n theirpaths. Thethree hurricanes entering the United States all crossed the North Carolina coast There were 13 tropical storms in 1955, (fig. 9), of which within a 6-week period and three more crossed the Mexican 10 attained hurricane force, a number known to have been coast within 150 miles of Tampico within a period of 25 exceeded only once before when 11 hurricanes were re- days. corded in 1950. This compares with a normal of about The hurricane season of 1955 was the most disastrous 9.2 tropical storms and 5 of hurricane intensity. In con- in history and for the second consecutive year broke all trast to 1954, no hurricanes crossed the coastline north of previous records for damage. Hurricane Diane was Cape Hatteras andno hurricane winds were reported north undoubtedly the greatest natural catastrophe in the his- of that point. No tropical storm of hurricane intensity tory of the United Statesand earned the unenviable affected any portion of the United States coastline along distinction of “the first billion dollar hurricane”. While the Gulf of Mexico or in Florida for the second consecutive the WeatherBureau has conservatively estimated the year. Only one hurricane has affected Florida since 1950 direct damage from Diane at between $700,000,000 and and it was of little consequence. However, similar hurri- $800,000,000, indirect losses of wages, business earnings, cane-free periods have occurred before.
    [Show full text]
  • Reducing Hurricane Damage Costs
    HURRICANE RISK AND COASTAL PROPERTY OWNER CHOICES Robert T. Burrus, Professor of Economics, [email protected] Christopher F. Dumas, Professor of Economics, [email protected] J. Edward Graham, Associate Professor of Finance, [email protected] Department of Economics and Finance University of North Carolina Wilmington 601 South College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 962-3510 FAX: (910) 962-7464 November 2010 The authors thank the Cameron School of Business and its summer research program for continuing support. 1 HURRICANE RISK AND COASTAL PROPERTY OWNER CHOICES Abstract Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to contrast the behavior of a homeowner exposed to hurricane risk with government policies designed to limit hurricane losses. Owners limit these losses by selecting structural improvements or mitigation and wind and flood insurance. Design/Methodology/Approach – We use mitigation costs, hurricane probabilities and insurance premiums to frame rational cost-minimizing choices for the homeowner. Findings - First, even though nationwide hurricane damage costs are large, the cost-minimizing response for an individual property owner may be to buy no mitigation or structural improvements, no flood insurance and minimal wind insurance, as probabilities of strong hurricanes striking particular locations are extremely low. Second, additional insurance is a less costly defense than structural improvement, even under much higher insurance premiums and hurricane strike probabilities. Third, federally subsidized flood insurance may reduce the effectiveness of government programs encouraging structural mitigation. Originality/value – The last few years were underscored by the catastrophic damages of Hurricanes Katrina, Ike and Wilma. Enormous costs suffered by the public and private sectors could have been avoided with greater mitigation by homeowners.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricane Hunters: Nine 'Brave' Aircraft That Need All Nine Lives
    50SKYSHADESImage not found or type unknown- aviation news HURRICANE HUNTERS: NINE 'BRAVE' AIRCRAFT THAT NEED ALL NINE LIVES News / Manufacturer Image not found or type unknown © 2015-2021 50SKYSHADES.COM — Reproduction, copying, or redistribution for commercial purposes is prohibited. 1 As the US East Coast bunkers down for a hurricane hammering, we look at aircraft used by US Air Force Special Operations and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to fly directly into hurricanes to take the critical measurements that help predict where a storm is heading. The first time the US Army Air Corps flew an aircraft into a hurricane was in 1943. U-boat activity had forced US navy ships to go radio silent for much of the war, depriving US weather forecasters of a highly valuable source of weather data. Around that time, a big storm named Hurricane Surprise was moving into Texas. A couple of army air corps pilots got into a bet about whether they could fly a T-6 into the storm. One of the pilots took the bet, boarded a T-6 with a navigation officer and flew straight into the hurricane. He reached the eye and then flew back out and landed safely. The weather officer on the base asked the pilot to take him into the storm, so they flew back into it that day. Thus, the hurricane weather reconnaissance mission was born. 1. Northrop Grumman Global Hawk NASA’s Global Hawk has a fair amount of experience in this domain, having recently completed the NASA/NOAA Sensing Hazards with Operational Unmanned Technology – or SHOUT – programme at the end of September.
    [Show full text]
  • Forest Structure and Tree Species Composition of the Grand Etang Forest on Grenada, West Indies, Pre-Hurricane Ivan
    Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol. 44, No. 3, 395-401, 2008 Copyright 2008 College of Arts and Sciences University of Puerto Rico, Mayagu¨ez Forest structure and tree species composition of the Grand Etang Forest on Grenada, West Indies, pre-Hurricane Ivan MARY E. GLENN1,2 AND KEITH J. BENSEN2 1Department of Anthropology, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521 USA 2Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation, Grenada, West Indies. Contact information for corresponding author: Tel: (707) 826-3126 Fax: (707) 826-4418 Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT.—The last comprehensive native forest structure survey made in the Grand Etang National Park and Forest Reserve of Grenada was in the 1940s, before Hurricane Janet hit the island in 1955. The data from this study were collected in the mid-1990s, previous to the devastation of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the first hurricane to strike Grenada since 1955. A total of 584 trees representing 41 species were identified in twenty 2m × 50m plots. Mean tree height, basal area per hectare, tree density per hectare, and species richness were determined for the park and forest reserve. Licania ternatensis was the dominant tree in terms of density per hectare (18%), while Dacryodes excelsa was dominant in terms of basal area per hectare (30.3 m2). Trichillia septentrionalis had the largest mean height (23.6 m) even though the tallest tree in the sample was a Dac- ryodes excelsa (51.9 m). The composition of the Grand Etang forest in the 1990s consisted of a mosaic of stands of different size classes and species composition, most likely indicating varying damage and recovery from Hurricane Janet.
    [Show full text]
  • Texas Hurricane History
    Texas Hurricane History David Roth National Weather Service Camp Springs, MD Table of Contents Preface 3 Climatology of Texas Tropical Cyclones 4 List of Texas Hurricanes 8 Tropical Cyclone Records in Texas 11 Hurricanes of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries 12 Hurricanes of the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries 13 Hurricanes of the Late Nineteenth Century 16 The First Indianola Hurricane - 1875 19 Last Indianola Hurricane (1886)- The Storm That Doomed Texas’ Major Port 22 The Great Galveston Hurricane (1900) 27 Hurricanes of the Early Twentieth Century 29 Corpus Christi’s Devastating Hurricane (1919) 35 San Antonio’s Great Flood – 1921 37 Hurricanes of the Late Twentieth Century 45 Hurricanes of the Early Twenty-First Century 65 Acknowledgments 71 Bibliography 72 Preface Every year, about one hundred tropical disturbances roam the open Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. About fifteen of these become tropical depressions, areas of low pressure with closed wind patterns. Of the fifteen, ten become tropical storms, and six become hurricanes. Every five years, one of the hurricanes will become reach category five status, normally in the western Atlantic or western Caribbean. About every fifty years, one of these extremely intense hurricanes will strike the United States, with disastrous consequences. Texas has seen its share of hurricane activity over the many years it has been inhabited. Nearly five hundred years ago, unlucky Spanish explorers learned firsthand what storms along the coast of the Lone Star State were capable of. Despite these setbacks, Spaniards set down roots across Mexico and Texas and started colonies. Galleons filled with gold and other treasures sank to the bottom of the Gulf, off such locations as Padre and Galveston Islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Country Document for Disaster Risk Reduction: Barbados, 2014
    Country Document for Disaster Risk Reduction: Barbados, 2014 Country Document for Disaster Risk Reduction: 1 Barbados, 2014 Country Document for Disaster Risk Reduction: Barbados, 2014 Country Document for Disaster Risk Reduction: Barbados, 2014 December 2014 Department of Emergency Management (DEM) National coordination: Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Judy Thomas, Director Danielle Skeete, Programme Officer Regional coordination: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Alexcia Cooke and Sandra Amlang Author: Danielle Evanson Design: Jeicos - Cover page designed based on design from Maria Camila Gracía Ruíz / Content pages designed based on the design from Orlando Isaac Dipp and Santiago Rivera (Country Document for Disaster Risk Reduction for Dominican Republic, 2012). This document covers humanitarian aid activities implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein should not be taken, in any way, to reflect the official opinion of the European Union, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. ECHO UNISDR European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid United Nations Office for Disaster Risk and Civil Protection department Reduction Regional office for the Caribbean Regional office for the Americas Santo Domingo, República Dominicana Ciudad del Saber (Clayton), Panamá Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] URL: http://www.eird.org/ URL: http://ec.europa.eu/echo/ http://www.unisdr.org/americas http://www.dipecholac.net/
    [Show full text]
  • Frequently Asked Questions During URI/NHC/AOC Hurricane Preparedness Webinars
    Frequently Asked Questions during URI/NHC/AOC hurricane preparedness webinars: Q: What is the average length of the eye of the hurricane? How big is the eye of a hurricane? A: The average size of an eye is about 20 to 30 miles across; we have seen few that have very small eyes and sometimes those storms are very strong. We can have eyes that are as small as 5 to 10 miles across and sometimes as big as 40 to 50 miles across but on average they are about 20 to 30 miles across. Q: How long can a hurricane last? A: Hurricane typically last from several days to a week or so. Hurricane life cycles may run their course in as little as a day or last as long as a month. On occasion, they can last as long as a couple or even several weeks. The longest-lived hurricane was Hurricane Ginger in 1971 that lasted an entire month. The longest-lasting tropical cyclone ever observed was Hurricane/Typhoon John, which existed for 31 days as it traveled a 13,000 km (8,100 mi) path from the eastern Pacific to the western Pacific and back to the central Pacific. There have also been many tropical cyclones that remained at hurricane intensity for 12 hours or less, including the Atlantic hurricane, Ernesto, in 2006. HSS links: http://www.hurricanescience.org/science/science/hurricanelifecycle/ Q: What was the strongest hurricane in history? A: The strongest hurricane in the Atlantic basin was Hurricane Wilma in 2005. It had peak winds of 185 mph and the pressure was an exceedingly low 882 millibars (26.05" of mercury).
    [Show full text]
  • September Weather History for the 1St - 30Th
    SEPTEMBER WEATHER HISTORY FOR THE 1ST - 30TH AccuWeather Site Address- http://forums.accuweather.com/index.php?showtopic=7074 West Henrico Co. - Glen Allen VA. Site Address- (Ref. AccWeather Weather History) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AccuWeather.com Forums _ Your Weather Stories / Historical Storms _ Today in Weather History Posted by: BriSr Sep 1 2008, 11:37 AM September 1 MN History 1807 Earliest known comprehensive Minnesota weather record began near Pembina. The temperature at midday was 86 degrees and a "strong wind until sunset." 1894 The Great Hinckley Fire. Drought conditions started a massive fire that began near Mille Lacs and spread to the east. The firestorm destroyed Hinckley and Sandstone and burned a forest area the size of the Twin City Metropolitan Area. Smoke from the fires brought shipping on Lake Superior to a standstill. 1926 This was perhaps the most intense brief thunderstorm ever in downtown Minneapolis. 1.02 inches of rain fell in six minutes, starting at 2:59pm in the afternoon according to the Minneapolis Weather Bureau. The deluge, accompanied with winds of 42mph, caused visibility to be reduced to a few feet at times and stopped all streetcar and automobile traffic. At second and sixth street in downtown Minneapolis rushing water tore a manhole cover off and a geyser of water spouted 20 feet in the air. Hundreds of wooden paving blocks were uprooted and floated onto neighboring lawns much to the delight of barefooted children seen scampering among the blocks after the rain ended. U.S. History # 1897 - Hailstone drifts six feet deep were reported in Washington County, IA.
    [Show full text]