2017 Hurricane Awareness Tour: Six cities in six days, thousands learn how to be prepared

Date Posted: May 24, 2017

Each year NOAA’s National Hurricane Center hosts a Hurricane Awareness Tour, visiting coastal and inland cities that can be affected by tropical cyclones and the massive flooding that they bring. This year more than 13,000 people visited with hurricane experts and toured the Hurricane Hunter aircraft that fly into and around those dangerous storms. Over six days the tour landed in six different cities including Gander, Newfoundland, Canada; Islip, N.Y.; a first-ever stop in Washington D.C.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Orlando, and Opa Locka, Fla. At each stop, a different preparedness topic was featured. The National Hurricane Center and local forecast offices shared safety and preparedness messaging on social media throughout the week to inspire individuals and communities to prepare for Hurricanes before the season officially begins.

Hard to believe we’re talking hurricanes with mounds of snow still standing, but residents of Gander, Newfoundland, braved the chilly temps to step aboard the USAF WC-130J “hurricane hunter” plane. In spite of its northern location, hurricanes are no stranger to Newfoundland. May 7, 2017. Credit: NOAA

Hurricane hunters fly into the heart of the storm to get critical wind, pressure and temperature data. USAF meteorologist (will get his identity) shows how it’s done by using a dropwindsonde, which is ejected down the tube and into the hurricane, sending data back to the plane as it descends to the ocean surface. May 10, 2017. Credit: NOAA

Students climb aboard the NOAA G-IV in Islip, NY, to get an inside look. Gonzo, as it’s affectionately called, can fly faster and higher than the other hurricane hunter aircraft. It flies around tropical cyclones, taking a completely different type of data for forecasters. May 8, 2017. Credit: NOAA

Social media plays a growing role is hurricane awareness. In this photo, NHC Communications Officer Dennis Feltgen shoots a Facebook Live interview with former NHC Director Dr. Rick Knabb and NWS Sterling meteorologist Chris Strong at Reagan National Airport. May 9, 2017. Credit: NOAA

The NOAA P-3 Orion “hurricane hunter” aircraft takes off from Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, after more than 3000 people visited the plane and crew. May 9, 2017. Credit: NOAA

For more information: Dennis Feltgen, dennis.feltgen@noaa.gov, 305-229-4404 www.hurricanes.gov