Understanding Hurricanes and Extreme Weather

• A hurricane is being classified as an extreme weather condition.

Lesson Objectives

• Explain what "extreme weather" means.
• Describe a hurricane's weather conditions.
• Discuss preparation and events during and after a hurricane.
• Explain the impact of weather systems on human activities.
• List precautions for before, during, and after a hurricane.
• Outline roles for agencies during a hurricane.

Extreme Weather

• Extreme weather happens when conditions differ significantly from the usual.
• It can occur over a single day or longer.
• It is unpredictable and severe.
• Hurricanes, floods, and droughts are examples.
• It can be attributed to climate change.

What is a Hurricane?

• A hurricane is a low-pressure weather system.
• They form over warm, tropical oceans.
• Wind speeds need to exceed 120 km/hr, 64 knots, or 74 miles/hour to be classified as a hurricane.
• Hurricane Gilbert is referenced.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

• The scale categorizes hurricanes based on wind speed, storm surge, and damage level.

Hurricane Factors

• Hurricanes usually occur between June 1st and November 30th.
• They often form off the coast of Africa in the Eastern Atlantic.
• Key ingredients include low atmospheric pressure, warm waters, and tropical wind patterns.

Hurricane Structure

• Eye: The calm center.
• Eyewall: A wall of dense thunderclouds that surrounds the eye; it contains the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall.
• Spiral Rainbands: Bands of rain clouds bringing heavy rainfall; they can extend hundreds of miles from the center.

Weather Conditions Associated with Hurricanes

• Before the Eye: Atmospheric pressure drops below 1000mb, wind speed increases over 120 km/hr, cumulo-nimbus clouds appear, torrential rainfall occurs, and temperature falls slightly.
• During the Eye: Atmospheric pressure falls to as low as 960 mb, little cloud cover, light winds, and temperature rises to about 30°C
• After the Eye: Wind blows from the opposite direction, and all previous weather conditions return.

Hurricane Katrina

• Losses of life, damage to infrastructure, and property damage are all ways Hurricane Katrina had adverse effects.

Loss of Life and Death Due to Hurricanes

• Drowning, being crushed by debris, electrocution, and waterborne diseases can be causes of death and injury.

Damage to Infrastructure

• Damage includes roads, bridges, utility poles and lines, water mains, airports, seaports, and government buildings such as hospitals.
• Collapsed bridges, landslides, impassable roads, and downed utility lines are specific caused of damage, and are caused by flood waters and high speed winds.

Property Damage

• Common causes include flooding that damages homes, personal property, furniture, clothing, and important documents.
• Overflowing rivers, storm surges, and rising waters due to torrential rainfall causes damages.

ODPEM

• ODPEM is the National Disaster Organization in Jamaica.
• It is responsible for disaster management; and for taking actions that reduce the impact of disasters on the Jamaican population and its economy.
• ODPEM coordinates emergency response and relief operations during major disaster events.

NWA

• NWA mobilizes equipment and personnel to clear blocked roads and restore temporary access to affected communities.

Security Forces

• Order is maintained before, during, and after the hurricane.
• Relief operations are carried out by pre-deployed engineering specialist teams and logistics units.
• Relief supplies are collected, distributed, stored, and pre-positioned across the island under the direction and coordination with ODPEM.

Utilities Companies

• Utility companies turn off supply during the hurricane once weather conditions become adverse.
• Checks and assessments will be made to facilities after the hurricane before restoration.
• Restoration depends on the restoration of electricity.

Hurricane Safety Guide - Precautions for Before, During, and After

• Emergency items to check before a hurricane: water, boots, raincoats, flashlights and batteries, battery-powered radio, hurricane lamp, matches, hurricane shutters, and hooks.
• Keep plastic bags, nails, hammer, and other tools handy.
• Have simple first aid supplies.
• A 4-5 day supply of non perishable is needed.
• Batten down doors and windows.
• Secure galvanized sheeting.
• Find a safe shelter, preferably with relatives or firends.
• Trim and pick fruits off trees.
• Understand the hurricane warning system including an Alert, Watch, and Warning.
• During a hurricane, stay inside, remain where you are if you're away from home, keep a hurricane lamp lit, and stay under a table or in a sturdy closet if signs of breaking up show.
• Put a large object in front of a window.
• Remain calm.
• Listen to the radio.
• Do not touch loose or dangling electrical wires, report them the nearest power company.

Following a Hurricane

• Seek medical attention at first-aid stations, hospitals or clinics.
• Touch loose or dangling electrical wires.
• Report broken sewer or water mains to the local government.
• Wait to use the stored water for washing houses, cars, and watering gardens.
• Wait before emptying stored water.
• Boil all drinking water.
• Watch out for fallen trees.
• Collect fallen branches and debris and pile them to collect.
• Avoid going outside barefooted.

Atlantic Hurricane Season

• The Atlantic Hurricane Season
• Hurricanes rotate counterclockwise
• Direct Hit
• Eye & Eyewall
• Hurricane Category
• Hurricane Warning/Watch
• Storm Surge