Hurricane Season Forecast - Assignment Example

CHAPTER OUTLINE Hurricane Katrina – Pre-Landfall I Hurricane Season Forecast a. Hurricane Warnings and Predictions i. Brigadier General David L. Johnson – is the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) who issued the report regarding the Hurricane Season. 1. NOAA weighed up that there is a huge probability of having an above average hurricane during that time of the year. 2. NOAA also take note of the fact that the year of 2004 produced many tropical storms and hurricanes ii. Max Mayfield – is the director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) who warned and showed the importance of being prepared during the times when hurricanes are very dominant b. The Authentication of the Previous Hurricane Predictions i. Tropical Storms – are tropical cyclones whose maximum speed is between that of sixty to one hundred kilometer per hour; seven of these tropical storms progressed during the months of June and July in 2005 ii. Hurricanes – are kinds of tropical cyclones which go together with thunderstorms 1. Hurricane Dennis – was the first of the major hurricanes which took place in July 2005 and caused serious damages on the regions of Cuba, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi c. The Revised 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook i. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed a rise in the probability of an above average hurricane season ii. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gave emphasis to their prediction that the next three months would comprise the climax of hurricane appearances II Katrina’s Beginnings a. August 23, 2005 i. Hurricane Katrina first started as a Tropical Depression Twelve, which was produced due to the interaction which came from the remains of Tropical Depression Ten along with a tropical wave, at the Bahamas on August 23, 2005 ii. The Federal Government started to keep a close eye on Katrina due to their hunch that it has the potential of turning into a major hurricane b. August 24, 2005 i. Katrina was first given its name on August 24 when it was advanced as a tropical storm from its former status of a tropical depression ii. Various arrangements were made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to ensure the necessary preparations for the would be hurricane, Katrina c. August 25, 2005 i. Although Katrina had been constant on its gaining of strength on August 25, 2005 as it made its move towards the coast of Florida its strength destabilized over land ii. Katrina recovered strength and developed into a Category 1 Hurricane shortly after it entered the Gulf of Mexico iii. Katrina made its landfall in Florida between Miami-Dade County and Broward County where it cased many deaths and damages III Katrina’s Approach a. August 26, 2005 i. Katrina deteriorated into a tropical storm when it passed Florida only to regain its strength and be categorized as a Category 1 hurricane ii. Katrina made its way to the west and started to strengthened as it reached the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico advancing its status in the process as a Category 2 hurricane iii. A prediction had been made that Hurricane Katrina would intensify into Category 4 – 5 hurricane when it makes its second landfall at the Mississippi-Louisiana region alarming the state of Mississippi in the process making them start its National Guard as their way to get ready for the arrival of Hurricane Katrina b. August 27, 2005 i. On August 27, 2005, Hurricane Katrina intensified into a Category 3 hurricane as its size began to double making it the third major hurricane of the year 2005 ii. A prediction of National Hurricane Center showed that it is very possible for the storm to continue to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane, strengthening the hurricane watch in the process iii. In spite of the series of warnings and forecasts made all throughout the day most of the citizens of the concerned communities were still unaware and remained indifferent to the capacity or the possible impacts Katrina would have on their society iv. Authorized personnel from the state of Louisiana and Mississippi made their actions and started the mass departure of those areas which would likely be targeted by the hurricane Katrina v. A series of problem regarding the evacuation or non-evacuation of some citizens arose 1. A huge number of citizens living in those areas does not own any automobiles to use as their mode of transportation 2. Old and invalid people were trapped in the dilemma of facing the perils of evacuation and remaining on their place which presents a tantamount amount of danger vi. To ensure that most people would evacuate, Governor Blanco seek the help of clergies to encourage their people to evacuate vii. Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans attended a press conference on which he recommended the evacuation of certain places in the lower areas of New Orleans along with his announcement of a state of emergency viii. In spite of all of the warnings many residents of the Gulf Coast still remained stubborn and stayed firm on their decision to stay, believing that they would survive the hurricane the way they survived the hurricanes which previously tackled their lands ix. Help came from Governor Bob Riley of Alabama in order to ensure the safety and welfare of the majority of the people who evacuated in order to escape the wrath of Hurricane Katrina x. FEMA continued with their preparations for the coming landfall of Katrina 1. FEMA held a video teleconference at 12 pm 2. FEMA stationed basic needs such as tarps, waters, ice, and the like at Region VI and IV 3. FEMA set National Disaster Medical System as well as Urban Search and Rescue teams in motion xi. President Bush deployed his assistance at the areas which would be impacted by the hurricane along with his presidential emergency declaration, confirming the great damage Katrina would cause on the land c. August 28, 2005 i. Katrina intensified into a Category V hurricane on August 8, 2005 which made the National Weather Service in Louisiana issue a serious warning regarding the possible consequences of challenging the capacities of Katrina ii. Alarm urged the National Hurricane Center and NOAA to increase the frequency of their warnings regarding the arrival and the strength of Katrina iii. In response to the continual warnings made by NHC and NOAA regarding the serious damage Katrina would cause, most residents tried to save their lives through evacuation iv. Another preparation for the landfall of Katrina was to prepare Disaster Assistance Response Teams for use in Southeast Louisiana v. The president continued discussion in order to ensure the necessary preparations for Katrina on which he also partook on the FEMA’s video teleconference to express his views on the necessary action to be taken at that particular crisis vi. The strength of Hurricane Katrina disturbed evacuation processes, cancelling many flights and made air carriers reevaluate their plans in the process vii. The impending approach of Katrina caused an increase for Federal assistance although most of them were not met due to the worsening weather condition viii. Katrina’s effects were felt by the people by the morning of August 28 causing a great deal anticipation for the people whose lives would be change at the aftermath of Katrina’s assault Reference: The Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned. (2006). Read More