jthk2004
31-08-2004, 07:40
hi there. the hurricane (americas) and tropical cyclone (asia-pacific) season has started. here in florida already suffered from one of the strongest hurricane in history last month. to help u better prepared to avoid lives lost, here is a guide for all ya mates to have a little bit knowledge outside football and help ya determine it is the time to go to a shelter even if ya are leading 5 goals or more in a master league game. there's no take two in real life! so enjoy it...
for ppl in the americas...
what is a hurricane?
a hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. the cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the northern hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface. tropical cyclones are classified as follows:
tropical depression
an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds (1 minute average) of 38 mph (33 knots) or less
tropical storm
an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots)
hurricane
an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher
hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds using the saffir-simpson hurricane scale. a category 1 storm has the lowest wind speeds, while a category 5 hurricane has the strongest. these are relative terms, because lower category storms can sometimes inflict greater damage than higher category storms, depending on where they strike and the particular hazards they bring. in fact, tropical storms can also produce significant damage and loss of life, mainly due to flooding.
the saffir-simpson hurricane scale
category 1 hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 knots)
no real damage to buildings. damage to unanchored mobile homes. some damage to poorly constructed signs. also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
category 2 hurricane — winds 96-110 mph (83-95 knots)
some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. considerable damage to mobile homes. flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. some trees blown down.
category 3 hurricane — winds 111-130 mph (96-113 knots)
some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. large trees blown down. mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. terrain may be flooded well inland.
category 4 hurricane — winds 131-155 mph (114-135 knots)
more extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. major erosion of beach areas. terrain may be flooded well inland.
category 5 Hurricane — winds 156 mph and up (135+ knots)
complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
one of the most important decisions you will have to make is "should i evacuate?"
if you are asked to evacuate, you should do so without delay. but unless you live in a coastal or low-lying area, an area that floods frequently, or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that emergency managers will ask you to evacuate. that means that it is important for you and your family to have a plan that makes you as safe as possible in your home.
disaster prevention includes modifying your home to strengthen it against storms so that you can be as safe as possible. it also includes having the supplies on hand to weather the storm. the suggestions provided here are only guides. you should use common sense in your disaster prevention.
develop a family plan - your family's plan should be based on your vulnerability to the hurricane hazards. you should keep a written plan and share your plan with other friends or family.
create a disaster supply kit - there are certain items you need to have regardless of where you ride out a hurricane. the disaster supply kit is a useful tool when you evacuate as well as making you as safe as possible in your home.
secure your home - there are things that you can do to make your home more secure and able to withstand stronger storms.
online vulnerability information - there are web sites that can give you information about your communities vulnerability to specific hazards. these include hurricanes as well as other weather related hazards.
and u gotta be aware of hurricanes too. here is a quiz for you...
1 what are the hurricane hazards?
storm surge, marine hazards, tornadoes, high winds, and inland flooding
2 what does it mean to you?
do you live in a surge zone? on a barrier island? in an area prone to flooding? in a strong sturdy home?
3 what actions should you take to be prepared?
family disaster plan, disaster supply kit, secure your home, have a place to go, and stay aware
be sure to ask other family memebers, friends and neighbors if they are hurricane aware too.
taking action is as easy as 1-2-3:
1 before...
assemble your disaster supply kit
these items are often scattered around your home and simply need to be brought together into one location.
write out your family disaster plan
discuss the possible hazards with your family. determine if you are in an evacuation area. identify an out-of-town family contact.
2 watch...
check your disaster supply kit
make sure nothing is missing. determine if there is anything you need to supplement your kit. replenish your water.
activate your Family disaster plan
protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time (for example, securing a boat or leaving a barrier island).
3 warning...
ready your disaster supply kit for use
if you need to evacuate, you should bring your supply kit with you.
use your family disaster plan
your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.
more to come...
guide for asia-pacific to follow...
for ppl in the americas...
what is a hurricane?
a hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. the cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the northern hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface. tropical cyclones are classified as follows:
tropical depression
an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds (1 minute average) of 38 mph (33 knots) or less
tropical storm
an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 knots)
hurricane
an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher
hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds using the saffir-simpson hurricane scale. a category 1 storm has the lowest wind speeds, while a category 5 hurricane has the strongest. these are relative terms, because lower category storms can sometimes inflict greater damage than higher category storms, depending on where they strike and the particular hazards they bring. in fact, tropical storms can also produce significant damage and loss of life, mainly due to flooding.
the saffir-simpson hurricane scale
category 1 hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 knots)
no real damage to buildings. damage to unanchored mobile homes. some damage to poorly constructed signs. also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
category 2 hurricane — winds 96-110 mph (83-95 knots)
some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. considerable damage to mobile homes. flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. some trees blown down.
category 3 hurricane — winds 111-130 mph (96-113 knots)
some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. large trees blown down. mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. terrain may be flooded well inland.
category 4 hurricane — winds 131-155 mph (114-135 knots)
more extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. major erosion of beach areas. terrain may be flooded well inland.
category 5 Hurricane — winds 156 mph and up (135+ knots)
complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
one of the most important decisions you will have to make is "should i evacuate?"
if you are asked to evacuate, you should do so without delay. but unless you live in a coastal or low-lying area, an area that floods frequently, or in manufactured housing, it is unlikely that emergency managers will ask you to evacuate. that means that it is important for you and your family to have a plan that makes you as safe as possible in your home.
disaster prevention includes modifying your home to strengthen it against storms so that you can be as safe as possible. it also includes having the supplies on hand to weather the storm. the suggestions provided here are only guides. you should use common sense in your disaster prevention.
develop a family plan - your family's plan should be based on your vulnerability to the hurricane hazards. you should keep a written plan and share your plan with other friends or family.
create a disaster supply kit - there are certain items you need to have regardless of where you ride out a hurricane. the disaster supply kit is a useful tool when you evacuate as well as making you as safe as possible in your home.
secure your home - there are things that you can do to make your home more secure and able to withstand stronger storms.
online vulnerability information - there are web sites that can give you information about your communities vulnerability to specific hazards. these include hurricanes as well as other weather related hazards.
and u gotta be aware of hurricanes too. here is a quiz for you...
1 what are the hurricane hazards?
storm surge, marine hazards, tornadoes, high winds, and inland flooding
2 what does it mean to you?
do you live in a surge zone? on a barrier island? in an area prone to flooding? in a strong sturdy home?
3 what actions should you take to be prepared?
family disaster plan, disaster supply kit, secure your home, have a place to go, and stay aware
be sure to ask other family memebers, friends and neighbors if they are hurricane aware too.
taking action is as easy as 1-2-3:
1 before...
assemble your disaster supply kit
these items are often scattered around your home and simply need to be brought together into one location.
write out your family disaster plan
discuss the possible hazards with your family. determine if you are in an evacuation area. identify an out-of-town family contact.
2 watch...
check your disaster supply kit
make sure nothing is missing. determine if there is anything you need to supplement your kit. replenish your water.
activate your Family disaster plan
protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time (for example, securing a boat or leaving a barrier island).
3 warning...
ready your disaster supply kit for use
if you need to evacuate, you should bring your supply kit with you.
use your family disaster plan
your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.
more to come...
guide for asia-pacific to follow...