]]>
via Accuweather.com: According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck off the shore of Northern California. The earthquake hit approximately 33 miles offshore of Eureka, California around 4:27 p.m. PST, but did not prompt a tsunami warning.
Power outages were reported in the region, but no reports of injuries or serious damage has arisen at this time. Most of the power outages occurred in Humbolt County, the county in which Eureka is located.
Utility crews have been working to restore power in the area through the evening but not without further earthquakes. Approximately one-half dozen aftershocks followed the initial offshore earthquake, with the strongest reported at 4.5-magnitude.
]]>fan page on Facebook is regularly updated..www.facebook.com/jeffsweather
]]>
After Wednesday's flooding rains, I question whether the city is prepared for a major storm. The rain lasted for a short period of time, yet crippled the city's underground subway system. It also wreaked havoc above ground for morning commuters. This brings me to today's subject: Are we prepared for a major storm in NYC? In the event of a major hurricane, or even a minimal hurricane, I don't think this city is anywhere near prepared.
What most residents don't realize is that New York and New Jersey meet at a right angle. In the event of a hurricane, massive amounts of ocean water would pile into southern Manhattan. The center of circulation of a hurricane spins counter clockwise (to the left). Think about it as a big whirlpool sitting above the ocean. The front right hand quadrant of a storm would cause major coastal erosion, flooding rains and heavy winds.
The last major hurricane to strike was The 1938 Long Island Express, a borderline category-4 hurricane that plowed into West Hampton. The storm caused death and devastation across New York, New Jersey and New England. Since then, there have been hurricanes but none with such intensity. In the past three years, we have seen so many storms forming in the Atlantic and with more storms, there is a greater possibility of the big one actually hitting the east coast.
Check out this map outlining areas in New York City that will be severely affected by storm surge in the event of a major hurricane.
If you live in Communities in Zone A, represented by the orange color ( say anywhere 42nd street east or west side along the river) you face the highest risk of storm surge. Zone B, represented by yellow, indicates areas at risk of storm surge from a MODERATE hurricane. Zone C, represented by the following green, indicates areas at risk of storm surge. According to the United States Geological Survey, there is a 71% probability of a major hurricane that will cause 1,000 deaths within the next 20 years. Yeah, Debbie Downer
AP Photo Credit: /Wally Santana
Be Ready, check out One Storm for your complete Hurricane Planning
And for more Hurricane Information check out the New Hurricane Almanac written by Bryan Norcross
Above: A thermal satellite image of New York City captured by NASA's Landsat satellite on August 14, 2002 at 10:30 a.m., shows the locations of the warmest air temperatures as seen in red. The blue indicates areas with cooler air temperatures.
]]>We need one per month! Good Luck!
q
At 10:00 p.m. Tuesday, Hanna was still a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. Hanna is located near 20.5 north and 72.4 west. Hanna has been nearly stationary over the past few hours and a slow, erratic motion should continue into tonight. The estimated central pressure of Hanna is 988 mb, or 29.18 inches. s.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for the central and southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Meanwhile, the government of the Dominican Republic issued a tropical storm warning for the northern coast from Puerto Plata west to Bahia De Manzanillo. Also, a tropical storm warning is in effect for the northern coast of Haiti from Port Au Prince eastward to the northern border with the Dominican Republic. Interests in eastern Cuba, the northern Bahamas and the Florida Peninsula should monitor the progress of Hanna.
Hanna is experiencing strong northerly shear, but this shear should diminish into Wednesday, and Hanna could become a hurricane once more later Wednesday or Wednesday night. Tropical storm-force winds will affect the Turks and Caicos Islands, as well as the central and southeastern Bahamas, tonight. Rainfall from Hanna will also affect the central and southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. source accuweather premium
]]>
The 2008 Hurricane Season is in full swing as the tropics heat up into September. Today, September 1st 2008, Hurricane Gustav made landfall over Terrebonne Parish, southwest of New Orleans. Gustav weakened to a strong Category 2 storm before making landfall. This dangerous storm still has winds near 110 mph and is causing widespread flooding and damage. Gustav currently has a central pressure at 957 MB and is moving to the NW at 15 MPH. In the Caribbean, Hurricane Hanna has sustained winds at 75 mph and could see intensification in the next few days. The current movement is to the west-southwest at 5 mph. Hanna is expected to turn to the northwest Wednesday aiming it directly at the Carolina coastline. The areas on the lookout for Hanna stretch from Florida through North Carolina, which will likely endure rough surf and rip currents initially from Hanna. Elsewhere in the Atlantic, Three tropical waves and one tropical storm have now formed. Depression # 9 is now Tropical Storm Ike and is moving to the west at 16 mph. ]]>
