Historical Weather Risk V2019.07 Product Guide
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PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY from STORM SURGE Owning a House Is One of the Most Important Investments Most People Make
PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY FROM STORM SURGE Owning a house is one of the most important investments most people make. Rent is a large expense for many households. We work hard to provide a home and a future for ourselves and our loved ones. If you live near the coast, where storm surge is possible, take the time to protect yourself, your family and your belongings. Storm surge is the most dangerous and destructive part of coastal flooding. It can turn a peaceful waterfront into a rushing wall of water that floods homes, erodes beaches and damages roadways. While you can’t prevent a storm surge, you can minimize damage to keep your home and those who live there safe. First, determine the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your home. The BFE is how high floodwater is likely to rise during a 1%-annual-chance event. BFEs are used to manage floodplains in your community. The regulations about BFEs could affect your home. To find your BFE, you can look up your address on the National Flood Hazard Layer. If you need help accessing or understanding your BFE, contact FEMA’s Flood Mapping and Insurance eXchange. You can send an email to FEMA-FMIX@ fema.dhs.gov or call 877 FEMA MAP (877-336-2627). Your local floodplain manager can help you find this information. Here’s how you can help protect your home from a storm surge. OUTSIDE YOUR HOME ELEVATE While it is an investment, elevating your SECURE Do you have a manufactured home and want flood insurance YOUR HOME home is one of the most effective ways MANUFACTURED from the National Flood Insurance Program? If so, your home to mitigate storm surge effects. -
Understanding Storm Surge
The Education Program at the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (732) 872-1300 www.njseagrant.org UNDERSTANDING STORM SURGE OVERVIEW In this climate education module, students will gain an understanding of the term “storm surge” by exploring the meteorological principles that create storms and generate storm surges. Many basics of weather are discussed, including air pressure, air circulation, and the influence of the Coriolis effect on weather. TABLE OF Background……………………………………….......................1-4 CONTENTS Activity #1- Oceans of Pressure …......................................... 5-10 Activity #2- Windy Balloon ……………………….................... 11-13 Activity #3- Density Driven Currents ………………................ 14-18 Activity #4- Coriolis Effect……………………………………. 19-22 Activity #5- Pressure Driven Storms and Surge…………..... 23-25 Activity #6- Surge of the Storm ………................................. 26-34 How Meteorologists’ Measure and Predict Storm Surge…… 35-37 Why should you care about understanding storm surge? ...... 38-39 Storm Surge Watches and Warnings ………………….……. 40-42 NOAA’s Top 10 Tips for Being Ready for a Storm Surge…...... 43 References …............................................................................ 44 OBJECTIVES Following completion of this module, students will be able to: Define storm surge and the factors that influence it Learn how temperature affects air density and the formation of high and low pressure systems in the atmosphere Explore the effect of gravity on air in the atmosphere Discover the role of Earth’s rotation on global and localized wind patterns Examine the effects that air pressure has on storm surge levels Determine how storm surge affects coastal communities Explore the impact of shoreline shape and beach slope on storm surge GRADE LEVEL 5 – 12 The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment. -
ESSENTIALS of METEOROLOGY (7Th Ed.) GLOSSARY
ESSENTIALS OF METEOROLOGY (7th ed.) GLOSSARY Chapter 1 Aerosols Tiny suspended solid particles (dust, smoke, etc.) or liquid droplets that enter the atmosphere from either natural or human (anthropogenic) sources, such as the burning of fossil fuels. Sulfur-containing fossil fuels, such as coal, produce sulfate aerosols. Air density The ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume occupied by it. Air density is usually expressed as g/cm3 or kg/m3. Also See Density. Air pressure The pressure exerted by the mass of air above a given point, usually expressed in millibars (mb), inches of (atmospheric mercury (Hg) or in hectopascals (hPa). pressure) Atmosphere The envelope of gases that surround a planet and are held to it by the planet's gravitational attraction. The earth's atmosphere is mainly nitrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide (CO2) A colorless, odorless gas whose concentration is about 0.039 percent (390 ppm) in a volume of air near sea level. It is a selective absorber of infrared radiation and, consequently, it is important in the earth's atmospheric greenhouse effect. Solid CO2 is called dry ice. Climate The accumulation of daily and seasonal weather events over a long period of time. Front The transition zone between two distinct air masses. Hurricane A tropical cyclone having winds in excess of 64 knots (74 mi/hr). Ionosphere An electrified region of the upper atmosphere where fairly large concentrations of ions and free electrons exist. Lapse rate The rate at which an atmospheric variable (usually temperature) decreases with height. (See Environmental lapse rate.) Mesosphere The atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and the thermosphere. -
Winter Storm Intensity, Hazards, and Property Losses in the New York Tristate Area
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. ISSN 0077-8923 ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Issue: Annals Reports ORIGINAL ARTICLE Winter storm intensity, hazards, and property losses in the New York tristate area Cari E. Shimkus,1 Mingfang Ting,1 James F. Booth,2 Susana B. Adamo,3 Malgosia Madajewicz,4 Yochanan Kushnir,1 and Harald E. Rieder1,5 1Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, New York. 2City University of New York, City College, New York, New York. 3Center for International Earth Science Information Network, Columbia University, Palisades, New York. 4Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University, New York, New York. 5Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change and IGAM/Institute of Physics, University of Graz, Graz, Austria Address for correspondence: Mingfang Ting, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964. [email protected] Winter storms pose numerous hazards to the Northeast United States, including rain, snow, strong wind, and flooding. These hazards can cause millions of dollars in damages from one storm alone. This study investigates meteorological intensity and impacts of winter storms from 2001 to 2014 on coastal counties in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York and underscores the consequences of winter storms. The study selected 70 winter storms on the basis of station observations of surface wind strength, heavy precipitation, high storm tide, and snow extremes. Storm rankings differed between measures, suggesting that intensity is not easily defined with a single metric. Several storms fell into two or more categories (multiple-category storms). Following storm selection, property damages were examined to determine which types lead to high losses. -
Understanding Storm Surge
The Education Program at the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (732) 872-1300 www.njseagrant.org UNDERSTANDING STORM SURGE HOW METEOROLOGISTS PREDICT AND MEASURE STORM SURGE The many factors that impact the height of storm surge make predicting storm surge very difficult; however, scientists from NOAA and the NWS (National Weather Service) have created a computer model called SLOSH (Sea, Lake, Overland Surges from Hurricanes) to predict storm surge heights and evaluate the risk of a coastal strike. The model depends on a storm’s atmospheric pressure, track, size, speed. Using complex physic equations, the model can apply this information to a specific location taking into consideration local water depth, land elevation, and other land features that could affect storm surge. All the different locations where storm surges are predicted are called basins. The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment. NJSGC meets its mission through its innovative research, education and outreach programs. For more information about NJSGC, visit njseagrant.org. A sample SLOSH model display from Hurricane Ike (2008). The model uses a color code to illustrate how high storm surge levels will go in feet above ground level. Since storms can be difficult to forecast, the model also takes into account historical storm surges from past storms and hypothetical storm surges, using many different factors that can change quickly during a storm such as size, intensity, track, etc. The model reports how high the storm surge inundation will be in feet above ground, so if the model predicts a 20 foot storm surge, that means the water will reach 20 feet above ground in that specific location. -
Flood ACC Article
Breadth of the Flood Exclusion: A Flood is a Flood, Including Storm Surge TRED R. EYERLY A case involving an Alaska Native Corporation and property damage caused by a hurricane is bound to be of interest. Arctic Slope Regional Corp. v. Affiliated FM Ins. Co. did not disappoint.1 The Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, based in Barrow, Alaska, and one of the thirteen Corporations formed under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, owned an office and construction yard in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The property was inundated with three feet of water after Hurricane Rita’s storm surge hit in September 2005. Arctic Slope filed a claim for property damage with Affiliated. The claim was denied and suit was filed. Before the district court, the parties disputed which policy provisions applied to the storm surge related claims. The distinction was critical because the policy covered damage caused by “Wind and/or hail,” but excluded damage caused by flood. The policy defined “Wind and/or hail” as “direct and/or indirect action of wind and all loss or damage resulting there from whether caused by wind, by hail or by any other peril . when water . is carried, blown, driven, or otherwise transported by wind onto or into said location.” “Flood,” on the other hand, was defined as “surface water; tidal or seismic sea wave; rising (including overflowing or breaking of boundaries) of any body of water . all whether driven by wind or not. .”2 1 Arctic Slope argued that, because storm surge is caused by strong onshore winds, coverage was provided under the “Wind and/or hail” definition. -
Massachusetts Tropical Cyclone Profile August 2021
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tropical Cyclone Profile August 2021 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Tropical Cyclone Profile Description Tropical cyclones, a general term for tropical storms and hurricanes, are low pressure systems that usually form over the tropics. These storms are referred to as “cyclones” due to their rotation. Tropical cyclones are among the most powerful and destructive meteorological systems on earth. Their destructive phenomena include storm surge, high winds, heavy rain, tornadoes, and rip currents. As tropical storms move inland, they can cause severe flooding, downed trees and power lines, and structural damage. Once a tropical cyclone no longer has tropical characteristics, it is then classified as a post-tropical system. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has classified four stages of tropical cyclones: • Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less. • Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots). • Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher. • Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Primary Hazards Storm Surge and Storm Tide Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the predicted astronomical tide. Storm surge and large waves produced by hurricanes pose the greatest threat to life and property along the coast. They also pose a significant risk for drowning. Storm tide is the total water level rise during a storm due to the combination of storm surge and the astronomical tide. -
Storm Surge: Know Your Risk in Queensland!
Storm Surge: Know your risk in Queensland! Storm surge is a rise in sea level above the normal tide usually associated with a low pressure weather system such as a tropical cyclone. Storm surge develops due to strong winds pushing water towards the coastline as well as the low atmospheric pressure drawing up the sea surface. The Queensland coastline is highly vulnerable to storm surge. This is due to the frequency of tropical cyclones, the wide continental shelf and relatively shallow ocean floor in both the Great Barrier Reef lagoon and in the Gulf of Carpentaria, as well as the low lying nature of many coastal cities and towns. While the highest storm surges are more likely to occur in North Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria, they can also develop in southeast Queensland affecting the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast. Storm surges may reach magnitudes of 1 to 10 metres above the tide depending on the intensity of the cyclone, its size and the local characteristics of the coastline. Impacts Coral Sea Storm surge can be very dangerous and poses a critical risk Gulf of Carpentaria to human life during tropical cyclones. Great Cairns Barrier Reef The length of coastline affected by a storm surge can be Innisfail tens to hundreds of kilometres wide. The rise in sea level Cardwell Townsville can be rapid and high in velocity, inundating the ground Bowen floor of buildings, even up to the roof. Mackay Queensland Storm surge has the power to easily move cars, even Gladstone houses, can damage roads and buildings and can be Hervey Bay almost impossible to manoeuvre through. -
Defining Storm Surge, Storm Tide, and Inundation
Defining Storm Surge, Storm Tide, and Inundation Understanding the risk associated with storm surge-driven coastal flooding requires using common references and language. When common references or language is not used, flooding risk can be misunderstood, having significant implications on the ability to communicate life-saving information and decisions during an event. To help ensure clear communication and understanding of storm surge-induced flooding, the terms used to describe storm surge, storm tide, and inundation are described below. Storm surge is defined as the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, over and above the normal astronomical tide, and is expressed in terms of height above predicted or expected tide levels. Since storm surge represents the deviation from normal tide levels, it is not referenced to a vertical or tidal datum. By contrast, storm tide is defined as the water level due to the combination of storm surge and the astronomical tide, and is expressed in terms of height above a vertical or tidal datum. A vertical datum is simply a base elevation used as a reference from which to measure heights (or depths). Similarly, a tidal datum is a base elevation defined by a certain phase of the tide. The definitions of various tidal datums can be found here: http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/datum_options.html. Inundation is the total water level that occurs on normally dry ground as a result of the storm tide, and is expressed in terms of height of water, in feet, above ground level. Inundation provides the most clearly and commonly understood method for communicating storm surge-driven coastal flooding. -
Lightning Injuries in Northern Ireland Aseel Sleiwah1, Jill Baker2, Christopher Gowers3, Derek M Elsom4, Abid Rashid5
Ulster Med J 2018;87(3):168-172 Clinical Paper Lightning injuries in Northern Ireland Aseel Sleiwah1, Jill Baker2, Christopher Gowers3, Derek M Elsom4, Abid Rashid5. Accepted: 25th January 2018 Provenance: externally peer-reviewed. ABSTRACT Introduction: Lightning injuries are uncommon in Northern Ireland (NI) with scarce reports detailing incidence and local experience. We present a case study of 3 patients involved in a single lightning strike with a review of the incidence of similar injuries in the province. Methods: Data from TORRO’s National Lightning Incidents Database between 1987 and 2016 (30 years) were searched to identify victims of lightning injuries in NI. Information on 3 patients with lightning injuries that were managed in our regional burns and plastic surgery service was collected and examined. A supplementary search in hospital records was conducted over the last 20 years to identify additional data. Results: Prior to our study, 6 victims of lightning injuries were identified of whom 5 survived and 1 died. Our 3 patients comprised of 2 children and 1 accompanying adult. All survived but the adult suffered cardiac arrest and required a prolonged period of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Conclusion: While lightning injuries are rare in NI, this is the first report of more than one person affected by a single lightning incident in the province. In our limited experience, immediate public response and prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts facilitated by automated defibrillators result in a favourable outcome. BACKGROUND: off-duty soldier struck on the Mourne Mountains in 2006. In the United Kingdom (UK), lightning strikes are relatively The hospital data search did not identify any other cases. -
Overview of ESSL's Severe Convective Storms Research Using The
Revision submitted to Atmos. Res., Manuscript No. ATMOSRES-D-07-00255R1 Overview of ESSL’s severe convective storms research using the European Severe Weather Database ESWD Nikolai Dotzek1,2,*, Pieter Groenemeijer3,1, Bernold Feuerstein4,1, and Alois M. Holzer5,1 1 European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL), Münchner Str. 20, 82234 Wessling, Germany 2 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) - Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, Germany 3 Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung, Forschungszentrum/Universität Karlsruhe, Postfach 3640, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany 4 Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany 5 HD1 Weather Forecasting Department, ORF Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, Argentinierstr. 30a, 1040 Wien, Austria Special Issue: Proc. 4th European Conf. on Severe Storms Received 2 December 2007, revised 12 October 2008 * Corresponding Author: Dr. Nikolai Dotzek, European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL), c/o DLR-IPA, Münchner Str. 20, 82234 Wessling, Germany. Tel: +49-8153-28-1845, Fax: +49-8153-28-1841, eMail: [email protected], http://essl.org/people/dotzek/ 1 1 Abstract 2 3 Severe thunderstorms constitute a major weather hazard in Europe, with an 4 estimated total damage of 5-8 billion euros each year nowadays. Even 5 though there is an upward trend in damage due to increases in vulnerability 6 and possibly also due to climate change impacts, a pan-European database 7 of severe thunderstorm reports in a homogeneous data format did not exist 8 until a few years ago. The development of this European Severe Weather 9 Database (ESWD) provided the final impetus for the establishment of the 10 European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) as a non-profit research 11 organisation in 2006, after having started as an informal network in 2002. -
Tornado Basics
TORNADO BASICS NOAA/National Weather Service Tornado FAQ What is a tornado? According to the Glossary of Meteorology (AMS 2000), a tornado is "a violently rotating column of air, pendant from a cumuliform cloud or underneath a cumuliform cloud, and often (but not always) visible as a funnel cloud." Literally, in order for a vortex to be classified as a tornado, it must be in contact with the ground and the cloud base. Weather scientists haven't found it so simple in practice, however, to classify and define tornadoes. For example, the difference is unclear between an strong mesocyclone (parent thunderstorm circulation) on the ground, and a large, weak tornado. There is also disagreement as to whether separate touchdowns of the same funnel constitute separate tornadoes. It is well- known that a tornado may not have a visible funnel. Also, at what wind speed of the cloud-to-ground vortex does a tornado begin? How close must two or more different tornadic circulations become to qualify as a one multiple-vortex tornado, instead of separate tornadoes? There are no firm answers. BACK UP TO THE TOP How do tornadoes form? The classic answer -- "warm moist Gulf air meets cold Canadian air and dry air from the Rockies" -- is a gross oversimplification. Many thunderstorms form under those conditions (near warm fronts, cold fronts and drylines respectively), which never even come close to producing tornadoes. Even when the large-scale environment is extremely favorable for tornadic thunderstorms, as in an SPC "High Risk" outlook, not every thunderstorm spawns a tornado. The truth is that we don't fully understand.