It is early August and an intense cluster of thunderstorms is located near the C

Question

It is early August and an intense cluster of thunderstorms is located near the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Sea. This cluster is moving northwest into the Yucatan Channel. It is then expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico and move north, crossing the Gulf coast between New Orleans, LA and Mobile, AL. Once it crosses the coast, long-range computer forecasts indicate a track into the southern Appalachian Mountains and a return to the sea along the Delaware/New Jersey coast. Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are around 83°F and there is weak vertical wind shear in the area. Assess the potential for intensification of this cluster to hurricane strength. Explain your conclusion. What potential for damage does this storm pose for the United States? Construct a table indicating all kinds of potential damage (wind strength, storm surge, etc.) and likely locations (hint: be sure to assess New Orleans and Mobile separately).What organization would you consult for additional and continuing information on this storm?

Explanation / Answer

Categories of cyclone severity range from " 1 " is for weak cyclones to "5" is for the most severe cyclones.

The risk of property and crop damage, shore erosion and danger to life increases from low for a category 1 to very high for a category 5 cyclone.

Using this measurement scale, communities can able to assess the degree of cyclone threat and take appropriate action.

Category refers to the severity in the zone of maximum winds and therefore the effects on individual locations. Damage will vary from place to place depending upon the following factors:

1. how far your location from the zone of maximum winds

2. how exposed your location is

3. building standards

4. vegetation type (soil and water)

5. resultant flooding.

Wind Categories:

Category 1: Strongest gust less than 125 km/h

Negligible house damage. Damage to some crops, trees and caravans. Draft may drag moorings.

Category 2: Strongest gust 125 - 170 km/h:

Minor house damage. Significant damage to signs, trees and caravans. Heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure. Small craft may break moorings.

Category 3: Strongest gust 170 - 225 km/h:

Some roof and structural damage. Some caravans destroyed. Power failure likely.

Category 4: Strongest gust 225 - 280 km/h:

Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many caravans destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failure.

Category 5: Strongest gust More than 280 km/h:

Extremely dangerous with widespread damages.

The strong winds, heavy rains and large storm surges are associated with the formation of the tropical cyclones and this finally leads to the loss of life and property.

Many of the communication networks may get damaged by the winds when its speed reaches 158 Kmph. This is the especial case for the secondary telephone lines. Misalignment occurs in microwave towers, when wind speed is 158 Kmph. This affects local telephone, mobile service and long distance service. Microwave and radio towers will get affected by winds with speed 186 Kmph. At higher wind speed even larger antennas as well as large satellite communication dishes can be damaged in cyclones with sustained wind speeds of 135 Kts (251 Kmph).

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