Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster that some have described as biblical in scale and unprecedented as a human tragedy. “The Storm,” as the locals call it, was the most destructive natural disaster in American history, laying waste to 90,000 square miles of land, an area the size of the United Kingdom. Before The StormContinue reading “8 Years Ago Today”
Tag Archives: NOAA
What Happened When Superstorm Sandy Hit NYC
On October 29th, 2012, Hurricane Sandy came ashore just northeast of Atlantic City, N.J., with a wind speed of approximately 80 mph. The storm had the worst possible trifecta of characteristics: an extremely large diameter, strong winds and high tide at landfall, which generated massive storm surge that inundated the coast from New Jersey toContinue reading “What Happened When Superstorm Sandy Hit NYC”
When Nature’s Fury and the Politics of Disaster Collide
Released in December 2012, seven years after the most expensive disaster in American history, this 95-minute documentary film gives you the round-the-clock news coverage and a comprehensive look behind the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, human error, false media reports, political corruption, government bureaucracy, and a substandard physical infrastructure. Using comprehensive analysis of events, hoursContinue reading “When Nature’s Fury and the Politics of Disaster Collide”
2012 Was An Exceptional Year For Disasters
“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” – Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012 was the second-most expensive year for natural disasters, claiming over 300 lives and costing more than $110 billion in damages. Long-term, independent records from weather stations, satellites, oceanContinue reading “2012 Was An Exceptional Year For Disasters”
The Gulf Coast Dead Zone
You’ve heard how hurricanes, oil spills, and industrial development are affecting the Gulf of Mexico, but have you heard about the “hypoxic” or low oxygen dead zones? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting that a massive dead zone the size of New Jersey (8,561 square miles) will plague the northern Gulf of Mexico thisContinue reading “The Gulf Coast Dead Zone”
What is a Storm Surge?
The greatest potential for loss of life related to a hurricane is from the storm surge! Storm surge is simply water that is pushed toward the shore by the force of the winds swirling around the storm. This advancing surge combines with the normal tides to create the hurricane storm tide, which can increase theContinue reading “What is a Storm Surge?”
One After Another After Another
The United States experiences more than 1,000 tornadoes a year. While most storms are weak and occur in sparsely populated areas, recent storms have inflicted heavy casualties in more populated regions of the country. Moore, OK, Tuscaloosa, AL, and Joplin, MO are the most recent communities to suffer. Tornadoes form when large air masses ofContinue reading “One After Another After Another”
The 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook
May 26 – June 1 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week Just one week after a devastating tornado storm rips through Norman and Moore, OK, killing 24 and causing an estimated $2B in property damage, US cities now face another natural hazard, hurricanes. June 1st is the official start of the 6-month hurricane season. For 2013, NOAA’sContinue reading “The 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook”
Storm Surge 