Hurricane
Disasters Live
Hurricane
Disasters Live
An eHuggy Network Website © Copyright Hurricane Disasters Live
CLOSEST POINT OF APPROACH - (CPA)
The area where the hurricane eye makes closest contact to shore without making landfall.
COASTAL FLOOD WARNING
A warning that significant wind-forced flooding is to be expected along low-lying coastal areas.
COASTAL FLOOD WATCH
An alert that significant wind-forced flooding is to be expected along low-lying coastal areas.
DERECHO - The word derecho is Spanish in origin and means "straight ahead" and refers to any straight line winds associated with a thunderstorm. (See straight line winds)
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC)
The county or city facility that serves as a central location for the coordination of all emergency preparedness and response.
EL NINO
A warming of Pacific Ocean waters near the Equator that typically occurs every 3 to 7 years. Such an event dictates a shift in "normal" weather patterns.
EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM
A system designed to permit government officials to issue up-to-date and continuous emergency information and instructions to the public in a threatened or actual emergency.
EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION
Information given to the general public at the time of an emergency. Frequently includes actions, instructions and direct orders.
EMERGENCY PUBLIC SHELTER
Generally a public school or other such structure designated by county officials as a place of refuge.
EVACUATION TIME
The advance time that a populated coastal area must have to safely relocate all residents of vulnerable areas from an approaching hurricane.
EXTENT OF EVACUATION
The identification of vulnerable people to evacuate based on estimated damage and/or homes susceptible to hurricane force winds.
EXTRATROPICAL
A term used in advisories and tropical summaries to indicate that a cyclone has lost its tropical characteristics. The term implies both poleward displacement of the cyclone and the conversion of the cyclone's primary energy source from the release of latent heat of condensation to baroclinic (the temperature contrast between warm and cold air masses) processes. It is important to note that cyclones can become extratropical and still retain winds of hurricane or tropical storm force.
Watch vs Warning - Know the Difference
A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the coast indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger your family's disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc.
A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the coast indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours or less. Once this warning has been issued, your family should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.
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The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
CATEGORY
Category 5 =
Category 4 =
Category 3 =
Category 2 =
Category 1 =
Tropical Storm =
Tropical Depression =
WIND SPEEDS
155 mph +
131 - 154 mph
111 - 130 mph
96 - 110 mph
74 - 95mph
39 - 73 mph
38 mph or less
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