Hi everybody and welcome! Last week we talked about how to prepare your family for a big blow. This week I would like to talk about the differences between the various levels of storm warnings the Tropical Prediction Center releases. Many of us that have lived in Florida for some time have experienced at least a hurricane watch at minimum however; many of our new residents have never been faced with a hurricane threat.
Basically, the watch system consists of 4 levels. First you have a tropical storm watch, the next level is a tropical storm warning. The next level is called a hurricane watch and the final and most important level is the hurricane warning. These warnings are issued based on the sustained winds of a storm. Sustained winds are defined as a 1-minute average wind speed measured at around 33 feet above the ground surface. Now, the definitions for the various warning levels.
A Tropical Storm Watch simply means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. Stay posted for latest advisories and be prepared to put your emergency plan in place.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the next 24 hours. You should remove loose objects from your yard and prepare for possible flooding rains and winds of 39-73 mph.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours. At this point, you should start doing the most essential things needed to prepare such as getting your shutters ready, stocking up on food, batteries etc.
A Hurricane Warning means you are in the path of a storm and that hurricane winds of 74 mph or higher are expected within the next 24 hours. All emergency preparedness should now be rushed to completion and your family emergency plan should be activated. Now depending on the severity of the storm, you should be planning on if you will stay home or evacuate or possibly go to a shelter.
The severity of a hurricane is based on the Saffir-Simpson scale. There are 5 categories of hurricane severity. A category 1 storm has winds of 74-95 mph. A category 2 storm unleashes winds of 96-110 mph and causes some damage to roofs, doors and windows. A category 3 storm is considered a major hurricane and involves winds of 111-130 mph. This can cause some structural damage to small buildings and major damage to mobile homes. A category 4 hurricane has winds of 131-155 mph. These winds can cause extensive structural damage with some complete building failures. Last but not least is a category 5 hurricane. This is the most devastating of all categories with wind speeds exceeding 156 mph. Damage can be catastrophic. These winds can cause complete roof failure on many homes and industrial buildings. Many buildings can be completely destroyed. Massive evacuations are also in order if a storm of this magnitude threatens the coast.
Fortunately, many times that an area is threatened the storm changes direction and you can breathe a sigh of relief. Just remember not to become complacent by this storm behavior. Always heed the warning and plan for the worst and hope for the best.
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 23, 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.
May 24, l972 -- Afternoon -- Clewiston -- Lightning killed a 54-year-old man while wading on the edge of Lake Okeechobee.
May 25, l96l -- Afternoon -- Broward Co., Pompano Beach -- Lightning killed a person.
May 25, l966 -- Afternoon -- Palm Beach Co., W. Palm Beach -- Lightning killed a boy playing in his yard at home.
May 25-26, l980 -- Memorial Day Weekend -- Entire State -- Severe Weather Outbreak -- A large area of thunderstorms developed over the Mississippi Delta during the evening of May 24th, and moved rapidly southeastward toward Florida while growing in size and intensity. Severe weather was experienced in virtually every section of Florida at some time on May 25th, and mostly over southern Florida again on May 26th. Widespread damage occurred with severe thunderstorm winds, hail, lightning, and heavy rain. Nine tornadoes (Manatee, Dade, Alachua, Suwannee, Marion, Hendry, Charlotte, Lee, and Monroe Counties) were reported and funnel clouds were sighted in practically every section of the state. Damage was widespread including airplanes flipped over, boats capsized, widespread power failures with lines down, trees blown over on houses and cars, broken windows, signs, and TV antennas blown down, and fires caused by lightning. Widespread crop damage occurred in the northern counties from hail and high winds. Wind gusts over 50 mph were common in many sections with reports of winds 75 to 80 mph in several areas. One death reported. A woman drowned when she was trapped under an overturned l6 foot boat off Pine Island along the lower southwest coast. The Coast Guard reported that 39 boats capsized along the lower southwest Florida coast alone during the weekend between Gasparilla and Marco Island. A 38-foot shrimp boat sank l5 miles offshore from Hudson, above Clearwater. In view of the widespread severe weather, it is miraculous that only one death and no serious injuries were reported in Florida.
May 25, 1996 -- Broward Co., Pembroke Pines -- Eleven people were injured by
lightning while picnicking at C. B. Smith
Park. The lightning struck a tree then jumped to a picnic table and shocked
eleven of twenty-three people nearby. One person
was seriously injured and hospitalized after the lightning burned a gold chain
into his neck. It was not raining at the time.
May 26, l95l -- Franklin Co., Carrabelle -- Waterspout/Tornado damaged boats, buildings, fishing equipment and caused roof damage to 20 homes. Three fishermen were drowned when their boat was overturned.
May 26, l973 -- Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Cos. -- Several tornadoes touched down. Worst hit was Crestview where one man was killed and four injured in mobile homes. Another tornado struck just east of Gulf Breeze injuring seven in mobile homes.
May 26, l977 -- Hendry Co. -- Lightning killed a l9 year old who was herding cattle on a ranch near State Road 836.
May 26, l982 -- St. Johns Co. -- Lightning killed a man and injured one near Molasses Junction.
May 27, l968 -- Leon Co. -- Golf ball size hail reported north of Tallahassee.
May 28, l989 -- Marion Co., Ocala -- Lightning killed a young woman and injured her mother at the edge of a lake in a wooded area.
May 28, 1996 -- Dade Co., Miami -- A 17-year-old female was hospitalized
after being struck indirectly by lightning as she
walked down the street. It was not raining at the time.
May 29, l963 -- Afternoon -- DeSoto Co., Arcadia -- Lightning killed a person.
May 29, 1994 -- Suwanee Co., Live Oak -- Lightning directly struck and killed a man at Little River Springs.
May 29, 1996 -- Hillsborough Co., Tampa -- Downburst winds from a
thunderstorm picked up a small boat and airlifted it to the
opposite side of a canal where it landed in a resident's yard and damaged a
parked vehicle.