May 14 Time Capsule
Hi
everybody and welcome. Just when you thought it was safe to go outside, along
comes hurricane season. That's right folks, hurricane season is less then one
month away. To make us all aware of what we need to do, this week has been
declared National Hurricane Awareness Week. What does this mean for us? Mainly
this means we should all be making our preliminary storm disaster plans and
getting our hurricane supply checklist ready. It is a known historical fact
that most hurricane deaths and injuries occur when people do not adequately
prepare for a storm or simply decide not to get ready for the big blow. Don’t
be one of the historical statistics. Be sure to take hurricane season seriously
and stay well informed of what is going on in the tropics.
There are some basic things you should be doing right now
to ensure your safety and comfort in case an early storm should form. First and
foremost, you should know if you live in a mandatory evacuation area. You
should know if your area is vulnerable to storm surges and flooding. If you do,
have a written evacuation plan and be sure all members of your family know it
by heart. If you don’t, make a decision on how large of a storm you can safely
ride out in your home. This will be determined on many factors including your
structure type and location. You still should have an alternate evacuation plan
in case a strong category 4 or 5 storm is making a beeline to your zip code.
Another thing you should be checking for on or around
June 1st is your food and battery supplies. Make a list of what you
need and get your hurricane stash started. Be sure to rotate your can goods and
batteries throughout the season to ensure their freshness.
While the hurricane season is underway, be sure to
monitor the tropics daily. You can get the latest tropical outlooks from T.V.,
radio, NOAA weather radio, and also from JOESDISCOWEATHERCENTRAL.COM. Keep in
mind that a weather radio can be a lifesaving device in the event of a
hurricane or any severe weather, for that matter. It silently monitors the
National Weather Service 24 hours a day and sounds an alert when severe weather
is heading your way. If you have not purchased one, now is the time to do so.
They are available at most consumer electronic stores.
If a storm should threaten your area, heed the advice of
local authorities. Now is the time to listen to official reports from local
sources. Listen to a local radio station or watch local TV to be sure you get
the most accurate information for the area you live in. If the storm is
imminent, execute the family plan that you mapped out at the beginning of the
season.
If we all follow these basic guidelines, loss of life and
injuries can be greatly reduced or eliminated. Remember, being prepared can
also help you ride out the storm in as much comfort as possible.
Now, on to the Time Capsule….
May 16, l975 -- afternoon --
Sumter Co., Wildwood -- Lightning killed a man and injured another while
running for shelter.
May 16,l983 -- early
morning -- Florida Panhandle -- Strong winds and heavy surf - Three people
drowned along Panhandle beaches as a cold front with strong winds pushed
through the area, bringing rough surf and heavy swells. An l8-year-old student
drowned at Panama City Beach; a 53-year-old man drowned at Gulf Islands
National Seashore; and a 20-year old man drowned east of Destin. Tallahassee,
Leon County -- A tornado struck a warehouse and hanger area at the Tallahassee
Municipal Airport, demolishing one hanger. Six people were temporarily trapped
inside the hanger when a live fallen power line blocked their escape. The
tornado continued along a west to east path, touching down several more times,
damaging some mobile homes, and hurling a bus onto a car. Jefferson and Madison
Counties -- Thunderstorm winds damaged mobile homes, toppled trees and power
lines, and blew an automobile 200 feet down the interstate highway. Baker
County -- A tornado demolished several farm buildings about 3 miles south of
Sanderson. Light metal roofing was blown over l00 yards.
May 16, l984 -- Dade Co.,
Miami -- Lightning killed a man standing next to a tree.
May 17, l974 -- Leon Co.,
Tallahassee -- Flash Flood. Thunderstorms dumped four to 5" of rain. Two
boys drowned when swept into drainage canal.
May 18, l963 -- Afternoon --
Walton Co., DeFuniak Springs -- Lightning killed a person.
May19, l932 -- Escambia Co.,
SW Pensacola -- A tornado picked up a farm house and scattered it in pieces
across a field killing the owner.
May 19, 1956 -- West
Palm Beach -- Tornado-like winds overturned several trailers injuring four
people seriously enough to require hospitalization.
May 19, l978 --
Hillsborough Co. -- A severe thunderstorm moved across Tampa knocking down
trees, power lines, damaging 45 homes. A large tree crushed a mobile home. Wind
gusts were recorded to 70 mph. No injuries reported.
May 20, l968 -- Hendry Co.,
LaBelle -- Lightning killed a fisherman while wading with two others.
May 21, l96l -- afternoon --
Brevard Co., Cape Canaveral -- Lightning killed a person.
May 21, l962 -- afternoon --
Seminole Co., Sanford -- Lightning killed a fisherman on the St. Johns River.
May 22, l984 -- St. Lucie
Co., Fort Pierce -- Lightning killed a grove worker.
May 22, 1996 -- Collier Co.,
Naples -- A 17-year-old female was drowned in a rip current at Wiggins Pass
State Recreational
Area. A 32-year-old female companion nearly drowned and was hospitalized in
critical condition.
May 23, 1955 -- afternoon --
Tampa - Lightning killed one person.
May 23, l962 -- Afternoon
-- Duval Co., Jacksonville -- Lightning killed a l3 year old boy fishing from a
dock.
May 2,3 l963 --
Afternoon -- Duval Co., Jacksonville -- Lightning killed a person.
May 23, 1976 -- Morning
-- central Florida -- Subtropical Storm spawned three tornadoes. A tornado in
Tampa injured two in mobile homes. Other, weaker tornadoes hit Marion and
Volusia Counties.