As summer approaches. Most people are thinking about BBQ, vacations and soaking up the sun. This is also the time that hurricane season starts. Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30 Hurricanes are costly natural disasters. If you live in the Gulf states you know well about the magnitude of Hurricanes. Texas this week will be hit with the first tropical disturbance of 2019. Tropical Storm Barry will hit land this week. Here is an overview of the facts so far.
Where do hurricanes form ?
As of Wednesday morning June 5th the current hurricane is still developing in the Gulf of Mexico . Some meteorologists are seeing water spouts develop in Western Caribbean Sea. Typically the most destructive storms originate in Cape Verde. Cape Verde is a small island off the West African coast. These storms take a while to develop and are more to happen in September than in June.
Which Category will Tropical Storm Barry fall under?
It is too early to say even with advances in storm modeling technology. Every hurricane has a few variables that can’t be completely predicted. Just because it is early in the season doesn’t mean that Category 5 Hurricanes can’t still develop. There have been Category 4 hurricanes that have developed in June. Just keep in mind the categories are just meant to denote wind speed not the magnitude of destruction. Billions of dollars of property damage, Food spoilage and hundreds of lives lost can happen with a lower category storm. Once the hurricane hits landfall South Texas and southeastern mexico can expect lot of rain . According to the National Hurricane Center, the chance of forming into a tropical depression has been lowered to 20 percent.
What is being done to prevent future damage
Pat hurricanes like hurricane Matthew and Irma have damaged the energy grid in the southeastern united states. Typically well over 100,000 people are left without power. Utility companies like Duke energy and Florida Power Light are investing to strengthen their energy storage capabilities.In cities like New York City and San Francisco there is a push to use both natural and synthetic sea walls to fortify the city against large waves. Seawalls are nothing new. They have been around since antiquity. Historically they haven’t been always able to weather storms. Re-curved sea walls are shock resistant and make use of modern engineering to deflect waves.Natural Barriers such as salt marshes act as giant sponges. Wetland absorb more water compared to dry land . The only problem wetlands are becoming extinct. Real estate development, Pollution and Climate change are factors in this trend.
How to keep your family safe
Emergency Preparation is vital for surviving natural disasters .For those who live in florida. Lawmakers are encouraging preparedness by offering a tax holiday for generators, flashlights and other emergency items. All of these items can be purchased without sales tax until June 6th. Every family should have a hurricane kit in event of a hurricane. Have enough non perishable food that lasts 2 weeks to 1 month. Use battery powered lanterns not candles and kerosene lanterns as they are fire hazards. Charge mobile devices and assemble your emergency kit. Contact all family members and friends tell them your location. Make sure your family is safe.Have a detailed evacuation plan. If you are interested in learning more about preparing for hurricanes check out our article here.
There will be an ongoing relief effort. It is early in the season but both the government and private organizations will contribute to rebuilding communities devastated by hurricanes. For example Senator Marco Rubio passed a disaster supplemental that will provide much-needed funds to Florida’s Northwest communities, which were devastated by Hurricane Michael . This is almost a year after the natural disaster happened but hurricane damage can last for years.
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