In The Eye: Hurricane Guide 2018

IN THE

EYE

2018

Hurricane Season Begins June 1 Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Safe

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IN THE

EYE

2018

ABOUT THE COVER Angel Madera Jr., of Angel Eye Photography in Fairhope, captured images of Hurricane Nate as it approached Baldwin County in early October.

The storm made landfall near Biloxi, Miss. on Oct. 8 and caused two deaths in the U.S. after causing widespread damage in Central America and 47 deaths in that region. Nate was the fastest-moving tropical storm ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico.

INSIDE

Important apps to use during a storm Baldwin County Emergency Management

Contains links to local, state, and federal resources, local weather, evacuation zone map, and shelter information.

FEMA

Receive emergency alerts and information. Provides safety notifications, emergency preparedness tips, and disaster resources.

NOAA Now

Provides the latest information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration including: hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans; mainland storms, including the latest tornado and severe thunderstorm alerts; worldwide animated satellite views; the latest marine conditions from the National Data Buoy Center; the ultraviolet index.

Prepare for hurricane season 6 Local radio/TV stations 8 Hunting the storm 8 Hurricane map 10-11 2018 Hurricane names 11 Baldwin County evacuation routes 12 Baldwin County evacuation shelters 13 Hurricanes 101 14 Coastal Warning Display Signals 15 Build an emergency kit 16 Storm surge risks 18

A specialty publication of Gulf Coast Media Publisher Parks Rogers parks@gulfcoastmedia.com 251-943-2151 Senior Features Editor Allison Marlow allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com Design Paige Marmolejo paige@gulfcoastmedia.com

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4 In the Eye • 2018

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GulfCoastNewsToday.com 2018 • In the Eye 5

Prepare, prepare, prepare

By Allison Marlow allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com

“I’ve been here 30 years and never had a hurricane. I don’t worry about them.”

Ever heard this from a neighbor? Sure. They may have lived in the same house for 30, 40, 50 or more years and never dealt with a devastating storm. That doesn’t mean it will never happen.

“This is a very common quote but unlike other things in life where experience provides knowledge hurricanes work the opposite,” said Jamie Rhome, storm surge team lead for the National Hurricane Center. “Having experienced a hurricane gives you a false sense of security.

“Every hurricane, like every human, is totally different,” he said. “It would be like if I met you and say now I can predict how every other person will act. That’s absurd.

It’s the same with a hurricane. I can’t predict every hurricane’s behavior from witnessing one storm.”

The ‘it will never happen here’ attitude is often what emergency planners

worry about most when they urge community members to prepare for hurricane season. The naysayers are right. It may never happen here.

“Hurricanes are rare events. That’s why people don’t take them seriously,” said John Cangialosi, hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center. “It’s like having a bullet in a gun. There might only be one bullet but that doesn’t mean you can’t get shot.

“If you ever do experience a devastating storm, you’ll never forget it.”

Cangialosi said preparing for severe weather is not only one of the most important things a family can do but is also the easiest part of weathering the storm.

The Department of Homeland Security has built an entire website with lists, instructions and fillable forms to help families plan for hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and even volcanic eruptions. The site, www.ready.gov, is a step by step manual for doing everything you can to be prepared for disas-

“Every hurricane, like every human, is totally different ... If you ever do experience a devastating storm, you’ll never forget it.”

6 In the Eye • 2018

ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTO

Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center, speaks to the media during the Hurricane Awareness Tour in Montgomery in May.

ters, from hurricanes to volcanic eruptions.

The federal government recommends three main steps to prepare for hurricane season: Build a supply kit, make a plan and check your insurance coverage.

Technological advances have allowed scientists at the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center in Miami to predict a hurricane’s behavior with more accuracy and earlier than before.

In 2017 the National

Hurricane Center had a record-breaking season in terms of accuracy. The team there was able to accurately predict the majority of storms’ movements five days out, giving families in the path and emergency workers more time to hunker down.

“But even with a perfect forecast the hurricanes are going to come,” said Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center.

It’s time to get prepared.

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

In the event of flood hazards, tune in to local media for information.

AREA TELEVISION STATIONS Channel 3 (ABC) WEAR TV Channel 5 (CBS) WKRG TV Channel 10 (NBC) WALA TV Channel 15 (FOX) WPMI TV Channel 44 WJTC TV

ALLISON MARLOW / STAFF PHOTO

Hunting the storm

By Allison Marlow

AREA RADIO STATIONS WABB AM/FM (1480) WABF AM (1220) WAVH FM (106.5) WBCA AM (1110) WBHY AM (840) WBHY FM (88.5) WBLX FM (92.5) WDLT FM (98.3) WDLT AM (600) WBUB FM (104.1) WMXC FM (99.9) WRKH FM (96.1) WGOK AM (900) WHEP AM (1310) WHIL FM (91.3) WJLQ FM (100.7) WNTM AM (710) WNSP FM (105.5) WKSJ FM (94.9) WPCS FM (89.3) WUWF FM (91) WXBM FM (102.5) WZEW FM (92.1) WTKK FM (TK-101) WXWY AM (100) WMOB AM (1360) WQUA FM (102.1) 8 In the Eye • 2018

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When coastal residents head to higher ground, members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron fly into the eye of the storm.

Known as hurricane hunters, the 20-member, Air Force Reserve unit is based at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi.

They operate 10 planes and can monitor up to three storms spread from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and into the Pacific Ocean, past Hawaii.

When hurricanes churn, members of the 53rd fly into the storm for up to 11 hours at a time. They spend roughly one hour and 40 minutes inside the churning wind and water.

“Think of the worst turbulence you’ve experienced. That’s our quietest moment,” said said Lt. Col. Ed Garcia, pilot.

The crews fly the WC130J Hercules a modified version of the C-130

transport plane. Inside the storm the crew can fly anywhere from 500 feet above the ground to 10,000 feet, depending the storm.

Garcia said as they move further into the storm the pressure drops, often rapidly, causing the aircraft to drop as well.

When the plane enters the spinning air, the crew flies with the wind constantly making left turns and covering each of the four quadrants of the storm. While inside they drop several 16-inch long, 2.5 pound weather stations, known as the GPS Dropsonde Windfinding System.

These sensing devices collect data on temperature, humidity, pressure and wind data. When the device hits the water the biodegradable device stops transmitting.

The data is sent back to the aircraft and technicians there send it in real time to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

There the information can be used to help improve

the accuracy of forecast models.

Flying above the Hurricane Hunters NOAA employs another set of hurricane hunters who fly the Gulfstream IV-SP, a sleeker, faster plane that can cruise as high as 45,000 feet. Pilots say this plane monitors the storm from above and fills in the information gaps between the military crew and the satellites in orbit.

Garcia said data from inside the storm can increase the accuracy of those models by as much as 25 to 30 percent meaning the projected cone of impact that residents rely on to measure their risk can be tightened by 30 or more miles.

“It’s a lot of fun to do but even better, what we do is important to a lot of people,” said Sgt. Richard Conseglia. “Our families live on the coast too. We want that information just as much as everybody else to make sure we get our families to safety and your families to safety.”

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2018 HURRICANE NAMES Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sara Tony Valerie William

GulfCoastNewsToday.com 2018 • In the Eye 11

Baldwin County evacuation routes

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Residents: Highway 59, Foley Beach Express & Baldwin Beach Express Central & South Baldwin County Residents: Highway 59 North & Baldwin Beach Express Eastern Shore Residents: State Highway 181 & Highway 98 North Lillian Area Residents: County Road 87 East Side of Pleasure Island (Orange Beach & Ono Island): Foley Beach Express via Toll Bridge & Baldwin Beach Express Toll will be lifted for northbound traffic during evacuation Evacuation Zones are developed to move threatened populations from hazards caused by natural or manmade disasters.

12 In the Eye • 2018

The following zones have been established to foster an efficient and timely response to evacuation orders given by elected officials. When evacuation orders are given, residents and visitors are encouraged to move further inland or move to higher ground.

The following scenarios and descriptions will be used for the listed storm categories.

Scenario 1: Category 1 - Zone 1: All areas of Pleasure Island along with individuals living in manufactured homes, and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

(Pleasure Island consists of all areas south of the Intra-coastal Canal to include Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Ono Island.)

Category 2 - Zone 1 & 2: All areas south of State Hwy 98 and the area on the Eastern Shore that is South of Interstate 10 and West of State Hwy 98.

Additionally, all individuals living in proximity to the Fish, Styx, Blackwater and Perdido Rivers and all individuals living in manufactured homes, and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

Category 3 - Zones 1 through 3: All areas south of State Hwy 98 and the area on the Eastern Shore west of State Hwy 98, and the area west of State Hwy 225 and west of Hwy 59 North of Stockton to the Baldwin/Monroe County line. Additionally, all individuals living in proximity to the Fish, Styx, Blackwater and Perdido Rivers and all individuals living in manufactured homes, and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

Category 4 or 5 - Zones 1 through 4: All areas south

of Interstate 10 and the area on the Eastern Shore west of State Hwy 225 and west of Hwy 59 North of Stockton to the Baldwin/Monroe County line.

Additionally, all individuals living in manufactured homes and those living in low lying flood prone areas countywide.

Scenario 2: will be used when Elected Officials deem a wider evacuation order is needed based on guidance issued by the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center.

Categories 1 through 4: evacuation zones are same as listed above.

Category 5: Zones 1 through 5: Everyone in Baldwin County should evacuate.

For more information visit: baldwincountyal.gov.

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

Baldwin County evacuation shelters Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency (BCEMA) strongly recommends evacuation.

“Shelters of Last Resort” are made available by the county, however, the structural integrity of the facilities cannot be guaranteed.

All individuals entering the shelter must: • Complete a Registration/ Waiver of Liability Form.

• Present photo identification.

• Obey the shelter rules.

• Be subject to a criminal background check.

Not all shelters will open at the same time. Shelters will open on an “as-needed” basis and are subject to change. Please stay tuned to local television and radio stations for public service announcements regarding shelter openings.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - The shelter information listed below is primarily used during hurricanes. In the event BCEMA opens shelters due to severe weather or tornadoes, shelters normally used as electrical support and/or medical needs shelters will likely be used as mass care (or general public) shelters.

Individuals entering electrical support shelters or medical needs shelters must also bring: • One adult caregiver • Medical equipment and supplies • Any special dietary supplies needed You may also Contact the (Baldwin County (EMA) (Emergency Management Agency) for shelter opening and closing information.

Mass Care Shelters (general public) Baldwin County Coliseum 19477 Fairground Road Robertsdale, AL 36567 Daphne East Elementary 26651 County Road 13 Daphne, AL 26526 Bay Minette Middle School 1311 West 13th St. Bay Minette, AL 36507

Medical Needs Shelters Baldwin County Coliseum 19477 Fairground Road Robertsdale, AL 36567

Electrical Support Shelters Baldwin County Level II Community Shelter 207 North White Avenue Bay Minette, AL 36507 Baldwin County Coliseum 19477 Fairground Road Robertsdale, AL 36567 Foley Satellite Courthouse 201 East Section St. Foley, AL 36535 Fairhope Satellite Courthouse 1100 Fairhope Ave. Fairhope, AL 36532

GulfCoastNewsToday.com 2018 • In the Eye 13

Hurricane 101 What causes a hurricane? The simple answer is warm ocean water plus the eastward rotation of the Earth.

Hurricanes create their own energy from warm, moist air and push the heat from the surface high into the atmosphere. In their centers, hurricanes develop a circular eye where the pressure is the lowest. Usually the temperature of the air inside the eye is also the highest. Hurricane eyes can stretch 20 – 30 miles across.

Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons are all the same weather phenomenon but given different names depending on their location.

In the Atlantic and northern Pacific, the storms are called hurricanes, after the Caribbean god of evil, named Hurrican. These same storms are called typhoons in the northwestern Pacific and cyclones in the southeastern Indian Ocean and southwestern Pacific.

To be classified as any of these names a storm must reach wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour.

Also, the storm seasons differ slightly. The Atlantic

hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. In the northeastern Pacific, storm season begins earlier and runs from May 15 to Nov. 30. In the northwestern Pacific, typhoons are most common from late June through December. The northern Indian Ocean sees cyclones from April to December.

Want to learn more about hurricanes and other weather phenomenon? Visit www.weather.gov/jetstream an initiative of the National Weather Service to help students and educators learn more about weather. The site includes video presentations, graphics and information on a plethora of weather topics stretching from clouds to Doppler radar. Check it out!

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Coastal Warning Display Signals DAYTIME SIGNALS SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY

GALE WARNING

STORM WARNING

HURRICANE WARNING

NIGHT (LIGHT) SIGNALS SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY

GALE WARNING

STORM WARNING

HURRICANE WARNING

Explanation of Warnings Small Craft Advisory (SCA): An advisory issued by coastal and Great Lakes Weather Forecast Offices (WFO) for areas included in the Coastal Waters Forecast or Nearshore Marine Forecast (NSH) products. Thresholds governing the issuance of small craft advisories are specific to geographic areas. A Small Craft Advisory may also be issued when sea or lake ice exists that could be hazardous to small boats. There is no precise definition of a small craft. Any vessel that may be adversely affected by Small Craft Advisory criteria should be considered a small craft.

Other considerations include the experience of the vessel operator, and the type, overall size, and seaworthiness of the vessel.

Small Craft Advisory for Hazardous Seas (SCAHS): An advisory for wind speeds lower than small craft advisory criteria, yet waves or seas are potentially hazardous due to wave height, wave period, steepness, or swell direction. Thresholds governing the issuance of Small Craft. Advisories for Hazardous Seas are specific to geographic areas.

Small Craft Advisory for Rough Bar (SCARB): An advisory for specialized areas near harbor or river entrances known as bars. Waves in or near such bars may be especially hazardous to mariners due to the interaction of swell, tidal and/or river currents in relatively shallow water.

Thresholds governing the issuance of Small Craft Advisories for Rough Bar are specific to local geographic areas, and are based upon parameters such as wave steepness, wind speed and direction, and local bathymetry.

Small Craft Advisory for Winds (SCAW): An advisory for wave heights lower than small craft advisory criteria, yet wind speeds are potentially hazardous. Thresholds governing the issuance of small craft advisories are specific to geographic areas.

BRISK WIND ADVISORY: A Small Craft Advisory issued for ice-covered waters.

GALE WARNING: A warning of sustained surface winds, or frequent gusts, in the range of 34 knots (39 mph) to 47 knots (54 mph) inclusive, either predicted or occurring, and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone.

STORM WARNING: A warning of sustained surface winds, or frequent gusts, in the range of 48 knots (55 mph) to 63 knots (73 mph) inclusive, either predicted or occurring, and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone.

TROPICAL STORM WARNING: An announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

HURRICANE FORCE WIND WARNING: A warning for sustained winds, or frequent gusts, of 64 knots (74 mph) or greater, either predicted or occurring, and not directly associated with a tropical cyclone.

HURRICANE WARNING: An announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

GulfCoastNewsToday.com 2018 • In the Eye 15

Build an emergency kit Ready.gov Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life.

Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, or seniors.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days.

Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-tocarry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation • Food - at least a threeday supply of non-perishable food • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert • Flashlight • First aid kit • Extra batteries • Whistle to signal for help • Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-inplace • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities • Manual can opener for food • Local maps • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs: • Prescription medica-

Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours.

tions • Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, antidiarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives • Glasses and contact lense solution • Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream • Pet food and extra water for your pet • Cash or traveler’s checks • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person • Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water • Fire extinguisher • Matches in a waterproof container • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items • Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils • Paper and pencil • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Maintaining Your Kit

After assembling your

16 In the Eye • 2018

kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed: • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers • Replace expired items as needed • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.

• Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.

• Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.

• Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

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Hurricanes: It’s all about the water

By Allison Marlow allisonm@gulfcoastmedia.com

The howling winds are terrifying. The pounding of the waves are treacherous.

But the storm surge that pummels a region and washes inland often determines a hurricane’s legacy.

“Think about the heavy rain potential. When you have an extra 30 – 40 inches of rain that is a problem,” said Ken Graham, director of the National Hurricane Center.

Graham said half of all hurricane fatalities are due to storm surge. Another 25 percent of fatalities are due to rainfall.

“The conversation we have to have has to be about water,” he said.

“That’s what is hurting people.”

Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm over and above the predicted tide.

These waters can penetrate well inland from the coast. During Hurricane Ike storm surge moved 30 miles into Texas and Louisiana. Much of the low-lying U.S. coastline along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic is vulnerable to storm surge.

The surge is caused primarily by the strong winds in a hurricane or tropical storm. The low pressure of the storm has minimal contribution.

How storm surge works, according to the 18 In the Eye • 2018

National Weather Service: The wind circulation around the eye of a hurricane blows on the ocean surface and produces a vertical circulation in the ocean. In deep water, there is nothing to disturb the circulation. When the storm reaches shallow water near the coast the vertical circulation in the ocean is disrupted by the ocean floor. The water can no longer go down so it has to go up and inland.

In general storm surge occurs where winds are blowing strongest onshore.

The category of the storm doesn’t necessarily predict the damage from storm surge.

Hurricane Katrina, a category 3 storm at landfall, produced a 28-foot storm surge. Hurricane Ike, a category 2 storm at landfall, produced 20-foot storm surge. Hurricane Charley, a category 4 storm at landfall, produced storm surge of 6 to 8 feet. Hurricane Irene, a

category 1 at landfall, had 8 to 11 feet of storm surge.

“We’ve done a good job highlighting that water is the primary killer. Now we have to help people understand what water can do,” said Jamie Rhome, storm surge team lead at the National Hurricane Center.

“How high are your electrical sockets at home? Eighteen inches doesn’t sound like a lot but water and electricity don’t do so well together.

When you juxtaposition that with downed power lines, it becomes incredibly dangerous,” he said.

Rhome added that residents who refuse to evacuate can end up endangering the lives of rescue workers as they battle the storm surge.

The Automobile Association reports that vehicles, even large trucks and SUVs, can become unstable in moving water that is 12 inches deep.

Water moving at 6 mph is enough to float a car.

People who fall in water just 6 inches deep, moving at 6 miles per hour, are unlikely to be able to stand again.

“An ambulance can’t drive in water. If you are cleaning up after the storm and cut yourself or have any accident that you would normally go to critical care for, now that hazard becomes quite dangerous and you can’t get care,” Rhome said.

“Even if they do try to get to you, now you’ve impeded the life of emergency responders.”

As a senior scientist Rhome helps draft the maps for evacuation zones. When a storm hits he issues the forecast that is used to decide who evacuates. None of his decisions are made lightly.

“We are dead serious when we call them,” Rhome said. “Our overarching goal is not to move anyone. When the decision is made to move the condition is potentially life threatening.”

GulfCoastNewsToday.com

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Easy Shutter Services, LLC 22219-B US Hwy 98 • Foley, AL 36535 (Near Foley Beach Express)

Call Today For Free Estimate!

(251) 943-4720

shutterservicesllc@gmail.com • easyshutterservices.com