Latest Weather Headlines
Red Cross launches new technologies for use in Florida emergencies
As the 2011 hurricane season begins today, the American Red Cross is launching new iPhone and social media technologies to be used during emergencies in South Florida. The Red Cross's Safe and Well website will allow users who register to broadcast their statuses through Facebook and Twitter, while a free application for ...
Will Bermuda High steer storms away from U.S. again?
With the hurricane season starting today, can South Florida expect a return of the high-pressure ridge that steered all those storms away last year? Maybe, but don't count on it, forecasters say. "These weather patterns are very transient," Robert Molleda, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service's Miami office, ...
Could iPhones help you during hurricanes?
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Orange County is hoping iPhones and iPads will protect and help its residents in the event of a hurricane in the Summer of 2011. Orange County is the first government in the nation to design an application (app) for natural disasters. So, when your power goes out ...
NOAA forecasts an active storm season in 2011, with 12 to 18 named storms
Federal meteorologists on Thursday called for an above-average hurricane season while warning that even a below-average season would be an active one. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration called for 12 to 18 named storms, six to 10 hurricanes and three to six major hurricanes - those rated Category 3 ...
Hurricane history
Hurricane History GALVESTON 1900 ATLANTIC-GULF 1919 MIAMI 1926 SAN FELIPE-OKEECHOBEE 1928 FLORIDA KEYS LABOR DAY 1935 NEW ENGLAND 1938 GREAT ATLANTIC 1944 CAROL AND EDNA 1954 HAZEL 1954 CONNIE AND DIANE 1955 AUDREY 1957 DONNA 1960 CAMILLE 1969 AGNES 1972 TROPICAL STORM CLAUDETTE 1979 ALICIA 1983 GILBERT 1988 HUGO 1989 ...
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Tropical Storm — Winds 39-73 mph Category 1 Hurricane — winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt) No real damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage. - Examples: Irene 1999 and Allison 1995 Category 2 Hurricane — winds ...
Hurricane Basics
The ingredients for a hurricane include a pre-existing weather disturbance, warm tropical oceans, moisture, and relatively light winds aloft. If the right conditions persist long enough, they can combine to produce the violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains, and floods we associate with this phenomenon. Each year, an average of ...
Preparation key to readiness
This page contains links to many of our handy step-by-step guides to preparing for and surviving a hurricane. BEFORE THE STORM Outside the home What to do now to make sure you’re ready when a storm arrives. Inside the home What to do when a storm threatens ...
Food and water tips
BEFORE THE STORM Shopping list Here’s what you should buy now. Don’t wait for a storm, when lines will be long and supplies short. Packing up the kitchen A list of must-haves for putting your food in order and keeping it safe afterward, plus tips for preparing for flood ...
Dealing with mold
A hurricane’s lingering calling card Its spores begin to bloom 24 to 48 hours after contact with water, warmth and darkness — three of the only items in abundance after a storm has turned South Florida into a giant powerless petri dish. Mold ruins walls, ceilings, carpets and clothing. It ...
Cleaning your home
Appliances A soaked washing machine, dryer or dishwasher should be cleaned with hot water or a mild bleach solution. Do not use detergents.
Grills are convenient, but can be dangerous
When the power goes out, you may be cooking on a charcoal, propane or natural gas grill, or a hibachi. Never leave grill unattended. Keep children away! Don’t grill near leaves, wood or other flammable objects. CHARCOAL GRILLS Safety first! Grills can kill. Charcoal emits carbon monoxide. It’s odorless and ...
Checklist: Inside the home
Protect your family, home Don’t call police, emergency or utility officials unless you have a life-threatening emergency. If you must call loved ones, be brief to keep lines free. Use cellphones sparingly. They may be the only working phones, and a limited number of cells will be operating. Expect to ...
Cleaning the fridge
Here’s how to do the deep cleaning and deodorizing needed to eliminate foul odors in the refrigerator or freezer: You will need to clean deep to remove old food left behind and odor-causing bacteria lodged in the refrigerator’s fan, rubber seal, and air ducts. Unplug the refrigerator again if the ...
Food and water: When in doubt, throw it out
FOOD Do NOT depend on smell or taste to determine safety of foods. Throw out any meat, chicken, seafood or dairy product, raw or uncooked, that isn’t at 40 degrees or below (look for visible ice crystals). Use all perishable foods before shelf-stable ones. Cook perishable proteins — meats, eggs ...
Avoid being victimized by contractors
Avoid being victimized by following these steps: Don’t allow an unlicensed contractor to make repairs. Following a disaster declaration, anyone working as an unlicensed contractor is committing a third-degree felony. Ask to see a contractor’s license before requesting a bid. Make sure the company name on the permit matches the ...
Business help: Federal disaster loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to help firms and nonprofit groups recover after a storm. The loan amount and terms depend on the size of the business, the extent of losses and ability to repay. For details, go to www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance To apply, register with FEMA at ...
Are you a good neighbor?
The days following a storm can be a time of camaraderie between you and your neighbors. But it also can be a time of strife. Before letting tempers flare, keep in mind that we’re all in this together. Assign people to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, until everyone’s accounted ...
Schools: What parents can expect
If a storm is threatening, there’s a good chance schools will close - usually around the time a storm watch has been issued for the area. School districts may send recorded telephone messages to students’ homes to say when schools will close and when they’ll reopen. You also should monitor ...
Chain saws: Be cautious
If you’ve never operated a chain saw, don’t start using one after a storm. Hire someone, ask neighbors or wait for emergency crews. The time to learn how to use a chain saw is before the storm strikes. A dealer can help you pick the right saw, set it up ...
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