DOCSLIB.ORG

Southwest Louisiana & Southeast Texas Hurricane

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Southwest Louisiana & Southeast Texas Hurricane 2019 SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA & SOUTHEAST TEXAS HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE Introduction Index of Pages Fellow Citizens, On behalf of the National Weather Service in Lake About the Hurricane Charles, we are pleased to present the Southwest Page 3 Louisiana & Southeast Texas Hurricane Guide. Storm Surge This guide will provide you with excellent resources as you Pages 4-7 prepare for the 2019 hurricane season. Winds, Flooding, and Tornadoes Pages 8-9 Besides providing historical documentation on past Preparing Your Home, Business, hurricanes that have affected the region, information on the and Boat Pages 10-11 various hurricane hazards will be provided. Essential tracking charts and evacuation maps are also provided for your Special Needs and Pets Page 12 reference. Emergency Contacts and Your From August 25-31, 2017, Harvey moved very slowly from Disaster Supply Kit Page 13 Central Texas to Western Louisiana. During this time, Harvey produced 30 to 50 inches of rain, with isolated Insurance Tips Page 14 amounts near 60 inches, over several counties in Southeast Texas to western Calcasieu and Cameron Hurricane History Page 15 parishes in Southwest Louisiana, resulting in disastrous flooding. As we reflect on the impacts of Harvey, and past Hurricane Tracking Map hurricanes like Rita and Ike, let us take this opportunity to Pages 16-17 develop our hurricane plan. Hurricane Forecasts Page 18 This collaborative Hurricane Guide will serve as your road-map Final Checklists for action before and during a hurricane and will also act as an Page 19 instructional guide for recovery, continuity and resiliency Hurricane Rita after the storm passes. It is important to plan accordingly Pages 20-21 to meet your personal, family and business needs. In this Rip Current Safety manner, we are all working together for safer and better Page 22 prepared communities. Working together, we can safeguard College Student Preparation lives and protect property by taking the appropriate measures Page 23 and precautions outlined in this Hurricane Guide. Evacuation Page 24-25 NWS Lake Charles Webpage Guide content and re-design by: Page 26 Donovan Landreneau, WFO Lake Charles, LA Emergency Information Based on 2009-2011 design by: Texas Hurricane Guide Team Page 27 John Metz, WFO Corpus Christi, TX Jason Dunn, WFO Fort Worth, TX Returning Home Donovan Landreneau, WFO Lake Charles, LA Pages 28-29 About the Hurricane The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1st, and lasts through November 30th. Tropical storm and hurricane formation increases significantly by August, with the peak of the season usually reached on September 10th. Activity begins to decline significantly towards the end of October. The peak threat for the Louisiana coast exists from August to the middle of October. The earliest tropical storm to strike the region was May 30, 1959, with the latest being Hurricane Juan on October 29, 1985; both coming ashore in South Central Louisiana. Left: GOES-16 1/2 kilometer resolution visible satellite image of Hurricane Harvey prior to making landfall across Central Texas at 6:45 PM CDT August 25, 2017. Since 1851, there have been 56 hurricanes to strike the Louisiana coast and 64 hurricanes to strike the Texas Coast. That is one in every three years on average. Right: Historical perspective of all tropical storm and hurricane landfalls since 1851. Definitions to Know TROPICAL DEPRESSION: An organized system TROPICAL CYCLONE: A general term used of persistent clouds and thunderstorms with to describe a tropical depression, tropical L a closed low-level circulation and maximum storm, or hurricane. winds of 38 mph or less. TROPICAL STORM: An organized system HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM WATCH: of strong thunderstorms with a well defined Hurricane or Tropical Storm conditions are circulation and maximum sustained winds of possible in the watch area within 48 hours. 39 to 73 mph. HURRICANE: An intense tropical weather HURRICANE/TROPICAL STORM WARNING: system with a well defined circulation and Hurricane or Tropical Storm conditions are sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. expected in the warning area within 36 hours. Storm Surge STORM SURGE is the abnormal rise in sea level above the predicted astronomical tides before, during, and even after a tropical storm or hurricane approaches and makes landfall. Historically, storm surge used to claim 9 out of 10 lives. Over the last several decades, advancements in the science of hurricane forecasting and communications have lead to a marked decrease in this number. However, Katrina was a grim reminder that certain areas are still very susceptible to storm surge fatalities. Storm surge is extremely destructive to anything in it’s path, especially if the surge comes in with a significant speed. This is because water is extremely heavy. A cubic yard of water weighs nearly 1700 pounds! Remember, there is a reason why large steel ships and barges float. The height of the storm surge depends on the size and strength of the tropical cyclone. The larger and/or stronger the storm, the higher the storm surge. However, this is not the only factor that affects the height of the storm surge. The shape and slope of the continental shelf across the coastal waters is another big factor in determining the height of the storm surge. For example, a hurricane with 100 mph sustained winds (a category two) strikes the Southeast Florida Coast. Since this area of Florida has a steep continental shelf, the storm surge could be around 4-5 feet (illustrated in figures 1a & 1b below). Now if this hurricane with the exact same size and strength made landfall across the Louisiana or Upper Texas coast, the storm surge could be in the 9-10 foot range (illustrated in figures 2a & 2b below). This is due to the shallow continental shelf that extends over a hundred miles offshore, which typically piles the water higher and creates higher waves. As the illustrations show below, this made the difference between very little surge entering the beach house across the Southeast Florida Coast and the complete destruction of the beach house across the Louisiana or Upper Texas coast. 1a 1b Beach house along the southeast Florida coast The 4-5 foot storm surge before hurricane landfall. barely inundates the house. 2a 2b Beach house along the The 9-10 foot storm surge and Louisiana coast before crashing waves completely hurricane landfall. destroys the house. Storm Surge Here are 6 Tips to be Ready for STORM SURGE: 1. Storm surge flooding is often the greatest threat to life and property from a hurricane. It poses a significant threat for drowning. A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes only two feet of rushing water to carry away most vehicles. 2. Storm surge can cause water levels to rise quickly and flood large areas in just minutes, and you could be left with no time to take action if you haven’t already evacuated as instructed. 3. Storm surge is not dependent on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Hurricane categories are based only on winds and do not account for storm surge. Any wind category can all cause life-threatening storm surge. 4. Many Gulf Coast areas are vulnerable to storm surge including areas many miles inland from the coastline depending on elevation of the coastal plain. Find out today if you live in an evacuation zone (see pages 6-7 in this guide). 5. Storm surge can occur before, during and after the center of the storm passes through an area, and can sometimes cutoff evacuation routes. The water can also rise well in advance of the coming storm, in some cases 36 hours or greater. When an evacuation is ordered, do not wait until the last minute to leave. 6. During the peak of a storm surge event, it is unlikely that emergency responders will be able to reach you if you are in danger. The National Hurricane Center provides other Storm Surge Resources at: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/resources.php Inundation Maps Storm Surge Inundation (SLOSH Maximum of Maximums) The following maps display a seamless near worst case storm surge flooding (inundation) scenarios using the National Weather Service (NWS) SLOSH model maximum of maximums (MOMs) product for different hurricane wind categories at a high tide. Higher detailed information can be attained at: http://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=d9ed7904dbec441a9c4dd7b277935fad&entry=1 Inundation Maps Flooding and Tornadoes Inland Flooding Inland freshwater flooding from tropical cyclones is a major threat to people inland from the coast. Rainfall varies with tropical cyclones, mainly due to speed of movement, duration, and interaction with other meteorological features. One extreme example: Harvey produced 30 to 50 inches of rain, with isolated amounts near 60 inches, over several counties in Southeast Texas to western Calcasieu and Cameron parishes in Southwest Louisiana, resulting in disastrous flooding. Left: Raw NOAA Multi-radar multi-sensor quantitative precipitation estimation (inches) for Harvey in southeastern Texas from August 25- September 1, 2017. Figure courtesy Jonathan Brazzell. Harvey’s rainfall was the most significant tropical cylone rainfall event from Southeast Texas to Southwest Louisiana, and United States history since reliable rainfall records began in the 1880s. The highest storm total rainfall report from Harvey was 60.58 inches near Nederland, Texas, with another report of 60.54 inches near Groves, Texas. Both of these values (and from five other stations) exceed the previously accepted United States tropical cyclone storm total rainfall record of 52.00 inches at Kanalohuluhulu Ranger Station, Hawaii, in August of 1950 from Hurricane Hiki. Tornadoes Tropical cyclones also produce tornadoes. These Tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hurricane Forecasting in Canada: a Partnership Between Research and Operations
    Hurricane Forecasting in Canada: a partnership between research and operations J.D. Abraham Director General Weather and Environmental Monitoring Meteorological Service of Canada IWET IV May 24 2012 Creation and evolution of the CHC: 25th Anniversary September 25-28, 1985 – Hurricane Gloria affected the Maritime provinces. Canadians had to rely largely on U.S. forecasts concerning this intense storm. When the storm's effects on Canada were much less than predicted, there was considerable confusion in the media and the general public. This eventually lead to the creation of the CHC. 1980’s CNN – Growth in cable news and live coverage August 31, 1987 – Environment Canada established hurricane centres on each coast: at the then Maritimes Weather Centre (Bedford, N.S.), and at the then Pacific Weather Centre (Vancouver, B.C.). 2000 – The Canadian Hurricane Centre was established in Dartmouth, N.S., to serve all of Canada. Canadian Hurricane Centre Ops 1987: First hurricane forecasting specialists were identified: Jim Abraham, Peter Bowyer, Al MacAfee, Ken MacDonald, John Merrick CHC issues first bulletins on Hurricane Emily 1989: First Environment Canada meteorologist attends the WMO-NHC Hurricane Workshop 1991: First hurricane-forecasting training delivered in Canada by a U.S. National Hurricane Centre specialist (Hal Gerrish) 1994: Development and implementation of hurricane workstation software that prepares tracks and bulletins (Al MacAfee) TC (not ET) Training 4 ET: a collaborative R&D and forecaster challenge 1989: Tropical Storm Hugo
    [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 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]
  • Variations Aperiodic Extreme Sea Level in Cuba Under the Influence
    Extreme non-regular sea level variations in Cuba under the influence of intense tropical cyclones. Item Type Journal Contribution Authors Hernández González, M. Citation Serie Oceanológica, (8). p. 13-24 Publisher Instituto de Oceanología Download date 02/10/2021 16:50:34 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/4053 Serie Oceanológica. No. 8, 2011 ISSN 2072-800x Extreme non-regular sea level variations in Cuba under the influence of intense tropical cyclones. Variaciones aperiódicas extremas del nivel del mar en Cuba bajo la influencia de intensos ciclones tropicales. Marcelino Hernández González* *Institute of Oceanology. Ave. 1ra. No.18406 entre 184 y 186. Flores, Playa, Havana, Cuba. [email protected] ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was sponsored by the scientific – technical service "Real Time Measurement and Transmission of Information. Development of Operational Oceanographic Products", developed at the Institute of Oceanology. The author wishes to thank Mrs. Martha M. Rivero Fernandez, from the Marine Information Service of the Institute of Oceanology, for her support in the translation of this article. Abstract This paper aimed at analyzing non-regular sea level variations of meteorological origin under the influence of six major tropical cyclones that affected Cuba, from sea level hourly height series in twelve coastal localities. As a result, it was obtained a characterization of the magnitude and timing of extreme sea level variations under the influence of intense tropical cyclones. Resumen El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo analizar las variaciones aperiódicas del nivel del mar de origen meteorológico bajo la influencia de seis de los principales ciclones tropicales que han afectado a Cuba, a partir de series de alturas horarias del nivel del mar de doce localidades costeras.
    [Show full text]
  • Aerial Rapid Assessment of Hurricane Damages to Northern Gulf Coastal Habitats
    8786 ReportScience Title and the Storms: the USGS Response to the Hurricanes of 2005 Chapter Five: Landscape5 Changes The hurricanes of 2005 greatly changed the landscape of the Gulf Coast. The following articles document the initial damage assessment from coastal Alabama to Texas; the change of 217 mi2 of coastal Louisiana to water after Katrina and Rita; estuarine damage to barrier islands of the central Gulf Coast, especially Dauphin Island, Ala., and the Chandeleur Islands, La.; erosion of beaches of western Louisiana after Rita; and the damages and loss of floodplain forest of the Pearl River Basin. Aerial Rapid Assessment of Hurricane Damages to Northern Gulf Coastal Habitats By Thomas C. Michot, Christopher J. Wells, and Paul C. Chadwick Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southeast Louisiana on August 29, 2005, and Hurricane Rita made landfall in southwest Louisiana on September 24, 2005. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) flew aerial surveys to assess damages to natural resources and to lands owned and managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior and other agencies. Flights were made on eight dates from August Introduction 27 through October 4, including one pre-Katrina, three post-Katrina, The USGS National Wetlands and four post-Rita surveys. The Research Center (NWRC) has a geographic area surveyed history of conducting aerial rapid- extended from Galveston, response surveys to assess Tex., to Gulf Shores, hurricane damages along the Ala., and from the Gulf coastal areas of the Gulf of of Mexico shoreline Mexico and Caribbean inland 5–75 mi Sea. Posthurricane (8–121 km).
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricane Fifi and the 1974 Autumn Migration in El Salvador
    condor, 82:212-218 @I The Cooper Ornithological Society 1980 HURRICANE FIFI AND THE 1974 AUTUMN MIGRATION IN EL SALVADOR WALTER A. THURBER ABSTRACT.-In the autumn of 1974 the migration pattern in El Salvador had several unusual features, too many to have been merely coincidental: 1) delayed arrival of certain early migrants whose appearance overlapped with that of later migrants; 2) unprecedented numbers of a few species; 3) the appearance of several rarely seen or previously unreported species; 4) exten- sion of winter ranges of a few species which was maintained for several years after. These events were closely associated with Hurricane Fifi (17-20 Sep- tember) and to a lesser extent with Hurricane Carmen (l-6 September). I attribute the unusual features of the 1974 migration to Hurricane Fifi (pos- sibly augmented by Carmen) after comparison of routes and schedules of early migrants with the route, dates, wind directions, and velocities of Fifi. I suggest that other hurricanes have affected and will affect migration through Middle America but that serious disruptions are probably rare and unpre- dictable. In the course of my 10 years of netting and METHODS AND SOURCES OF DATA banding birds in El Salvador, Central Amer- From my field notes and netting records I selected data ica, the fall of 1974 was exceptional for the which show the unusual nature of the 1974 migration. early migration pattern and for the arrival of For comparison I summarized relevant information for several uncommon and previously unre- other years as given by my notes and the literature. My field notes extend from 1966, my netting records from ported species.
    [Show full text]
  • Orleans Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan
    Hazard Mitigation Plan City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness January 7, 2021 1300 Perdido Street, Suite 9W03 (504) 658-8740 ready.nola.gov/hazard-mitigation DRAFT – January 7, 2020 1 Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 9 1.1 New Orleans Community Profile ...................................................................................................... 11 1.1.1 Location ..................................................................................................................................... 11 1.1.2 History of Orleans Parish ........................................................................................................... 12 1.1.3 Climate ....................................................................................................................................... 14 1.1.4 Transportation ............................................................................................................................ 15 1.1.5 Community Assets ..................................................................................................................... 17 1.1.6 Land Use and Zoning ................................................................................................................. 18 1.1.7 Population .................................................................................................................................. 24 1.1.8
    [Show full text]
  • Pilotthe Cameron Parish 35¢ June 21, 2007 Vol
    PilotThe Cameron Parish 35¢ June 21, 2007 Vol. 50--No. 37 Cameron, La. 70631 THIS HISTORIC photo was taken from the second or third floor of the Cameron Courthouse on June 27, 1957, the day that Hurricane Audrey devastated Cameron Parish. Several hundred persons in the courthouse survived but about 500 others else- where in the parish perished. This photo was taken by the late Hadley Fontenot, who was Cameron’s county agent at the time. Audrey’s 50th anniversary will be observed Wednesday, June 27 in ceremonies at the courthouse. Audrey’s 50th anniversary to be observed here June 27th By CYNDI SELLERS Hurricane Audrey book; Cameron Parish Library - his- Even as Cameron Parish torical photos; Cameron Pilot struggles to recover from the - archival materials including effects of Hurricane Rita, the the first issue after the storm; tragic and devastating impact KPLC-TV - documentaries of Hurricane Audrey in 1957 and film clips; and the has not been forgotten. On National Hurricane Museum Wednesday, June 27, the and Science Center. parish will commemorate the Corporate sponsors of the 50th anniversary of the dead- commemoration are Cheniere ly storm, which claimed over LNG, Sempra Energy, and 400 lives. Cameron Communications. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on the steps of the Cameron Court House, Oak Grove which sheltered hundreds from the fury of the storm. A speaker told light lunch will be served Brigadier General after the program, and dis- plays of hurricane informa- Robert J. LeBlanc Rev. John Reynolds will be tion, books, and memorabilia guest speaker at Oak Grove will be available for viewing.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricane & Tropical Storm
    5.8 HURRICANE & TROPICAL STORM SECTION 5.8 HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM 5.8.1 HAZARD DESCRIPTION A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or sub-tropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all considered tropical cyclones. These storms rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere around the center and are accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds (NOAA, 2013). Almost all tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic basin (which includes the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea) form between June 1 and November 30 (hurricane season). August and September are peak months for hurricane development. The average wind speeds for tropical storms and hurricanes are listed below: . A tropical depression has a maximum sustained wind speeds of 38 miles per hour (mph) or less . A tropical storm has maximum sustained wind speeds of 39 to 73 mph . A hurricane has maximum sustained wind speeds of 74 mph or higher. In the western North Pacific, hurricanes are called typhoons; similar storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean are called cyclones. A major hurricane has maximum sustained wind speeds of 111 mph or higher (NOAA, 2013). Over a two-year period, the United States coastline is struck by an average of three hurricanes, one of which is classified as a major hurricane. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical depressions may pose a threat to life and property. These storms bring heavy rain, storm surge and flooding (NOAA, 2013). The cooler waters off the coast of New Jersey can serve to diminish the energy of storms that have traveled up the eastern seaboard.
    [Show full text]
  • Florida Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
    FLORIDA HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS 1871-1995: An Historical Survey Fred Doehring, Iver W. Duedall, and John M. Williams '+wcCopy~~ I~BN 0-912747-08-0 Florida SeaGrant College is supported by award of the Office of Sea Grant, NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,grant number NA 36RG-0070, under provisions of the NationalSea Grant College and Programs Act of 1966. This information is published by the Sea Grant Extension Program which functionsas a coinponentof the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, John T. Woeste, Dean, in conducting Cooperative Extensionwork in Agriculture, Home Economics, and Marine Sciences,State of Florida, U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, U.S. Departmentof Commerce, and Boards of County Commissioners, cooperating.Printed and distributed in furtherance af the Actsof Congressof May 8 andJune 14, 1914.The Florida Sea Grant Collegeis an Equal Opportunity-AffirmativeAction employer authorizedto provide research, educational information and other servicesonly to individuals and institutions that function without regardto race,color, sex, age,handicap or nationalorigin. Coverphoto: Hank Brandli & Rob Downey LOANCOPY ONLY Florida Hurricanes and Tropical Storms 1871-1995: An Historical survey Fred Doehring, Iver W. Duedall, and John M. Williams Division of Marine and Environmental Systems, Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL 32901 Technical Paper - 71 June 1994 $5.00 Copies may be obtained from: Florida Sea Grant College Program University of Florida Building 803 P.O. Box 110409 Gainesville, FL 32611-0409 904-392-2801 II Our friend andcolleague, Fred Doehringpictured below, died on January 5, 1993, before this manuscript was completed. Until his death, Fred had spent the last 18 months painstakingly researchingdata for this book.
    [Show full text]
  • Hurricane Audrey Storm Tide
    QC9¥f 0 7^-2 3 39 NAL HURRICANE RESEARCH PROJECT ATSL REPORT NO. 23 Hurricane Audrey Storm Tide *•*'• U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Sinclair Weeks, Secretary WEATHER BUREAU F. W. Reichelderfer, Chief NATIONAL HURRICANE RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT NO. 23 Hurricane Audrey Storm Tide by D. Lee Harris U. S. Weather Bureau, Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C. October 1958 UlfiMOl 0b0b32^ NATIONAL HURRICANE RESEARCH PROJECT REPORTS Reports by Weather Bureau units, contractors, and coopera- tors working on the hurricane problem are pre-printed in this series to facilitate immediate distribution of the information among the workers and other interested units. As this limited < reproduction and distribution in this form do not constitute formal scientific publication, reference to a paper in the . series should identify it as a pre-printed report. 1. Objectives and basic desigu of the National Hurricane Research Pro- ? No. ject. March 1956. ^ T , inR^ I P Numerical weather prediction of hurricane motion. July 195©. No. SementTError analysis of prognostic 500-mb. maps made for numer ical weather prediction of hurricane motion. March 195 (> 3. Rainfall associated with hurricanes. July 195&. i] No. I. %m problems involved in the study of storm surges. December 1956. is No. 5. Survey of meteorological factors pertinent to reduction of loss of life and property in hurricane situations. March 1957. ; No 6. A mean atmosphere for the West Indies area. May 1957. j No. 7. An index of tide gages and tide gage records for the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. May 1957- \ Nmo ft PartE£ Ili. ^exchangeHurricanes andoftheenergysea betweensurface temperaturethe sea and thefield.atmosphere ?j in relation to hurricane behavior.
    [Show full text]
  • Verification of a Storm Surge Modeling System for the New York City – Long Island Region
    Verification of a Storm Surge Modeling System for the New York City – Long Island Region A Thesis Presented By Thomas Di Liberto to The Graduate School in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Marine and Atmospheric Science Stony Brook University August 2009 Stony Brook University The Graduate School Thomas Di Liberto We, the thesis committee for the above candidate for the Master of Science degree, hereby recommend acceptance of this thesis. Dr. Brian A. Colle, Thesis Advisor Associate Professor School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Dr. Malcolm J. Bowman, Thesis Reader Professor School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Dr. Edmund K.M. Chang, Thesis Reader Associate Professor School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences This thesis is accepted by the Graduate School Lawrence Martin Dean of the Graduate School ii Abstract of the Thesis Verification of a Storm Surge Modeling System for the New York City – Long Island Region by Thomas Di Liberto Master of Science in Marine and Atmospheric Science Stony Brook University 2009 Storm surge from tropical cyclones events nor‟ easters can cause significant flooding problems for the New York City (NYC) – Long Island region. However, there have been few studies evaluating the simulated water levels and storm surge during a landfalling hurricane event over NYC-Long Island as well as verifying real-time storm surge forecasting systems for NYC-Long Island over a cool season. Hurricane Gloria was simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) V2.1 model, in which different planetary boundary layer (PBL) and microphysics schemes were used to create an ensemble of hurricane landfalls over Long Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Radar and Rain Gauge Analysis of the Extreme Rainfall During Hurricane Danny’S (1997) Landfall
    MAY 2007 M E D L I N E T A L . 1869 Radar and Rain Gauge Analysis of the Extreme Rainfall during Hurricane Danny’s (1997) Landfall JEFFREY M. MEDLIN National Weather Service Forecast Office, Mobile, Alabama SYTSKE K. KIMBALL AND KEITH G. BLACKWELL Department of Earth Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama (Manuscript received 27 October 2005, in final form 20 June 2006) ABSTRACT As a minimal hurricane, Danny moved over Mobile Bay around 0900 UTC 19 July 1997 and became stationary by midmorning, while situated within a synoptic col. Danny then evolved into an asymmetric storm with an intensely convective rainband that produced torrential rainfall through 1200 UTC 20 July 1997. Danny’s center remained Ͻ100 km from the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) in Mobile, Alabama, for over 48 h, allowing long-term surveillance of the storm’s inner core. This event marked the first time the tropical Z–R relationship was employed on an operational WSR-88D system during tropical cyclone landfall. A radar-estimated maximum rainfall accu- mulation of 1097 mm (43.2 in.) was analyzed over southwestern Mobile Bay. A NWS cooperative rain gauge located on Dauphin Island, Alabama, measured 896 mm (35.28 in.). An adjacent standard rain gauge measured the highest rainfall amount of 932 mm (36.71 in.). This paper investigates the spatial and temporal distribution and potential magnitude of Danny’s torrential rainfall episode over coastal Alabama. It is shown that both gauges and radar seriously underestimated event rainfall. An estimate is given for what could have been the true event rainfall amount.
    [Show full text]