Hurricane Saftety Awareness Week - Thursday

The National Weather Service has declared the week of July 17th
through 19th HURRICANE SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK in New England.
This is the fourth in a series of five public information
statements to be issued by the National Weather Service Office
in Gray containing information on hurricanes and hurricane safety.

INLAND FLOODING FROM TROPICAL STORMS AND HURRICANES

When it comes to hurricanes, wind speeds do not tell the whole
story. Hurricanes produce storm surges, tornadoes, and often
most deadly of all, INLAND FRESHWATER FLOODING.

While storm surge is always a potential threat with land-falling
hurricanes, many more people have died from inland freshwater
flooding. Inland flooding can be a major threat to communities
hundreds of miles from the coast as heavy rain falls from these
huge tropical air masses. In 2011, the flooding caused by
tropical storms Irene and Lee caused considerable damage and 36
deaths in the mid Atlantic and New England states. In 2012, the
remnants of Hurricane Sandy caused an estimated 73 deaths and an
estimated $65 billion in damages, mostly due to coastal and
inland flooding.

Forty three years ago, in 1972, Hurricane Agnes produced floods
in the northeast United States which contributed to 122 deaths
and $6.4 billion in damages. And in 1955, long after the winds
from Hurricane Diane had subsided, the storm brought inland
flooding to Pennsylvania, New York, and New England, contributing
to nearly 200 deaths and $4.2 billion in damages.

Freshwater floods accounted for more than half of U.S. tropical
cyclone deaths from 1975-2004 years and more than 75% of the
children killed by tropical cyclones. Flooding is also the
reason why 63% of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths during that
period occurred in inland counties. At least 23% of U.S.
tropical cyclone deaths are people who are attempting to drive
through flooded roadways.
 
Here in New England, tropical systems can combine with
mid-latitude (extra-tropical) weather systems to produce very
heavy rains and flooding, even when the hurricane or tropical
storm remains well offshore. In 1996, a coastal storm that
supplied tropical moisture from the circulation around
Hurricane Lili, which was well offshore, produced 4 to 19 inches
of rain across southern and central New Hampshire and
southwestern Maine and was responsible for 1 drowning death.  

Here are some tips to protect you and your home from flooding.

  1.    Develop a flood emergency action plan.
  2.    Determine whether you live in a flood-prone area.
  3.    If flooding is possible, move valuable items from the
        basements or first floor to higher floors in your home.
        Have a checklist of these items in your emergency
        action plan.
  4.    Keep abreast of road conditions through the news media.
        Move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood
        water.
  5.    If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  6.    Do not attempt to drive through a flooded roadway. If
        the roadway is flooded, turn around, don't drown!

Also, if you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing
flood insurance. Flood damage is not usually covered by
homeowners insurance policies. Do not make assumptions; check
your policy.

The National Flood Insurance Program is a pre disaster flood
mitigation and insurance protection program. The National Flood
Insurance Program makes federally-backed flood insurance
available to residents and business owners in certain
communities.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do the strongest hurricanes produce the
greatest rainfall amounts?

The most important factor in determining the rainfall from a
hurricane or tropical storm is the forward speed of the storm.
A slow moving or stalled tropical storm can produce
considerably more rainfall in a given area than a fast moving
intense hurricane. Hurricane Andrew produced rainfall amounts
of between 7 and 8 inches across the south Florida peninsula
as it ravaged the area with strong winds during August 1992.
In comparison, Tropical Storm Alberto dumped more than 27
inches of rain in Americus, Georgia (21 inches in 24 hours)
when it struck during July of 1994. In 1979, Tropical Storm
Claudette brought 45 inches of rain to an area near Alvin, Texas.
 
FACT FOR THE DAY: Historically, storm surge had been the
leading cause of death during hurricanes; however, improvements
in forecasting and communication have allowed potential victims
to evacuate from surge prone areas. These improvements have
greatly reduced the number of storm surge deaths in the United
States. As seen in the table below, freshwater flooding is by
far the leading cause of death from tropical cyclones.

           Tropical Cyclone Deaths (1970-1999)

              Cause                     Percent
       Freshwater Flooding                59%
       Wind                               12%
       Surf                               11%
       Offshore                           11%
       Tornadoes                           4%
       Storm Surge                         1%
       Other                               2%

Here's a list of the other topics covered in statements
issued this week:

MONDAY - Tropical Cyclones, Tropical Storms, and
         Hurricanes--The Basics
TUESDAY - Hurricane Winds and Tornadoes
WEDNESDAY - Storm Surge and Marine Safety
FRIDAY - The Forecast Process--Statements, Watches,
         and Warnings

For additional information about hurricanes and hurricane
safety, visit the National Hurricane Center's web site at:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

$$

Watson
National Weather Service
Gray...Mine