Tropical Storms, Cyclones, Hurricanes

Many popular tourist destinations are seasonally vulnerable to tropical storms. The term "tropical" refers to both the geographic origin of these systems, which form almost exclusively in tropical regions of the globe, and their formation in Maritime Tropical air masses. Depending on their location and strength, tropical cyclones are referred to by other names, such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression and simply cyclone. In general, worldwide tropical cyclone activity peaks in late summer. However, each particular basin has its own seasonal patterns. According to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from 1 June to 30 November. While hurricanes have occurred outside of these six months, this period encompasses over 97% of tropical activity.

The Atlantic basin season peaks from August through October, with 78% of the tropical storm days, 87% of the minor days, and 96% of the major hurricane days occurring then. Maximum activity is in early to mid September.

The Northeast Pacific basin has a broader peak with activity beginning in late May or early June and going until late October or early November with a peak in storminess in late August/early September. NHC's official dates for this basin are from May 15th to November 30th.

The Northwest Pacific basin has tropical cyclones occurring all year round regularly. There is no official definition of typhoon season for this reason. There is a distinct minimum in February and the first half of March, and the main season goes from July to November with a peak in late August/early September.

The North Indian basin has a double peak of activity in May and November though tropical cyclones are seen from April to December. The severe cyclonic storms (>33 m/s winds [76 mph]) occur almost exclusively from April to June and late September to early December.

The Southwest Indian and Australian/Southeast Indian basins have very similar annual cycles with tropical cyclones beginning in late October/early November, reaching a double peak in activity - one in mid-January and one in mid-February to early March, and then ending in May. The Australian/Southeast Indian basin February lull in activity is a bit more pronounced than the Southwest Indian basin's lull.

The Australian/Southwest Pacific basin begin with tropical cyclone activity in late October/early November, reaches a single peak in late February/early March, and then fades out in early May.

Globally, September is the most active month and May is the least active month.

What are the elements most at risk during hurricanes?[1]  

• Building roofs and walls, if not properly attached,
• Windows, if not protected.
• Lightweight structures built with palm branches or wood, and older buildings with weak walls/structures without proper anchorage to foundations
• Settlements, roads and utilities located in low lying coastal areas
• Informal shelter and shanty settlements
• Harbours and associated facilities
• Trees, fences, signs, etc.
• Possessions, such as tables, motor bikes, or garden furniture, which is not
• Properly secured against high winds.
• Poles, pylons, high-level cables, if not properly anchored.
• Fishing boats and other marine equipment/industry
• Also, fishermen are at special risk from hurricanes as they may be at sea when a hurricane arrives and not be able to get to a safe harbour if they do not receive adequate warning.

How to prepare when a Tropical Storm warning is issued  

• Generally, a hurricane watch is called when hurricane conditions are possible within 24 to 36 hours. A hurricane warning is given when hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours.
• If a storm warning is given, meet with your travel party and tour directors or staff at your place of lodging to discuss the dangers of severe weather and under what conditions your trip should be curtailed. [2]
• Contact your tour director or hotel staff for information on evacuation warning systems and travel coordinators in case of the need for evacuation.
• If you have friends or family who live within reach but outside the evacuation zone, arrange with them in advance to take you in if needed.
• Determine how the tour manager or hotel staff will notify you if a tour is to be curtailed. If you are travelling on your own, decide which conditions must arise for you to shorten your trip and return home. Recognize that you are not the only person or group making these decisions, and seek assistance from travel coordinators at the resort or transport venues.
• Identify the location of the resort’s emergency notification bulletin boards, and if necessary, the emergency shelters designated by your hotel management.
• Prepare a list of your travel party and their family contacts and telephone numbers. Provide this to the resort management and keep a copy with you.
• Each time you leave the resort, keep staff informed of where you are going and who is in your travel party. Leave this information on a note in a prominent place in your room as well.
• Be attentive to radio and television weather updates and instructions from authorities.
• Pick one distant and one local friend, relative, tour director or resort manager for family members to call if separated during a storm. (It can be easier to call long distance than within the affected area.)
• Keep family records and travel papers in a waterproof container. Include airline tickets, insurance policies, family identification and health care records.
• Pack clothes and other items not in use and be prepared to finish packing quickly, if an evacuation of the area is imminent.

What to do if you are told to evacuate the area  

• You should evacuate when you are staying in a storm surge zone or flood zone.
• Leave as soon as a hurricane watch is issued. Low-lying escape routes may already be impassable hours before landfall. Don’t count on making a last-minute getaway.
• Stay away from coastal and low-lying areas.
• Listen to the radio, television or follow other forms of media used by officials for broadcasting the location(s) of emergency shelters and other evacuation information. Follow instructions of local officials.
• Check the resort’s emergency notification board for information on where your travel party should gather for meetings; travel planning, relocation or transport to airports, trains or buses.
• Wear sensible clothing and sturdy shoes and use travel routes specified by local officials.
• Let the hotel know when you left and where you are going. Leave a note to that effect in your room and with the front desk.
• Keep the gas tank filled in your vehicle.
• Be sure to have a road map with the evacuation routes clearly marked, so that you won’t spend valuable time and fuel in searching for the right way to go.
• Buy bottled water and ice.
• Get out of the area as early as you can, in daylight. Give yourself enough time to leave so that you can drive calmly and allow for traffic congestion; avoid putting yourself in a panic situation.
• Do not delay your evacuation.

What to do during a tropical storm, hurricane or typhoon  

• If you are not ordered to evacuate, the safest place to ride out the storm is in the most interior room of the place where you’re staying.
• Stay indoors and away from windows. If possible, go to the basement, storm cellar or designated shelter area. If there is no basement, go to an interior room preferably on the lower level (interior hallways).
• During the storm, gather your group in the most interior room of the dwelling and have everyone sit on the floor. Each person should tuck their head between their knees and cover their heads and knees with their arms to shield themselves from flying objects.
• Check with the local and regional emergency management agencies for the locations of shelters.
• If you are travelling with a pet, be aware if shelters will not accept pets.
• Stay away from the shore and low-lying areas, including inland waterways that can be swept by storm surges.
• Keep with you a small radio, at least one flashlight, and extra, fresh batteries.
• Leave a parked vehicle, trailer or mobile home immediately and go to a more substantial structure.
• If in a car as the force of the storm begins to build, drive to the nearest substantial structure and seek shelter there.
• Remember that a deceptive calm may fall as the eye passes overhead. Don’t go outdoors until the entire storm has passed.
• Avoid using the telephone except for serious emergencies. Local authorities need first priority on telephone lines.

What to do immediately after a hurricane  

• If you are in a safe location, stay where you are until local authorities say it is safe to leave. If you have evacuated the community, do not return until authorities say it is safe to return.
• When the storm has fully subsided, report your condition and location to the tour operator or hotel management.
• Look for information posted at your hotel and be sure to keep tuned to local radio or television stations for information about where to find medical help, and how to find temporary shelter or travel assistance.
• Look for broken glass and downed power lines. Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury.
• Stay away from damaged areas unless local authorities request volunteers. If you are needed, bring your own drinking water, food and sleeping gear.
• Drive only when necessary. The streets will be filled with debris. Roads may be blocked or weakened.
• Stay away from beach fronts, river banks and streams until potential flooding has passed.
• Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company.
• Report broken gas, sewer or water mains.
• Use great caution when entering a damaged building.
• Be sure that walls, ceilings and roofs are in place and that any structure you approach or enter rests firmly on its foundation.
• Do not enter any structures without the permission.
• Beware of snakes and vermin that may have been dislodged by the storm.

Other tips  

• Avoid garage doors because they are the most likely structural component to fail during hurricane-force winds.
• Do NOT cover windows with masking tape or open a window on the sheltered side of the house. Both of these “tips” are myths that will not keep windows from shattering in a storm, and may actually harm more than help.
• Keeping all of the windows sealed and locked shut (and preferably nailed and covered with plywood), and bolting and wedging the doors shut with large pieces of furniture, will help to keep the wind out of the house. It will find any crack or opening to get in, so deny it as many of those spaces as you can!
• Fill the bathtubs with water ahead of time and set the refrigerator and freezer to maximum cold. Don’t open the doors to the fridge or freezer unless necessary.
• If you’re able to shut off the electricity, do so before the storm hits, and use your flashlights. Candles are not recommended due to the chance of fire.
• Put your personal documents or wallet in a plastic Ziploc bag or plastic container and keep it with you at all times.

The aftermath  

According to Accuweather, if you’re planning to stay on in, or return to, an area affected by a storm, keep the following in mind:

• You may not have immediate access to your lodgings. Flooding, downed trees, power lines, abandoned vehicles or emergency crews may be blocking the roads.
• Power and water service may not be restored right away.
• You may need current personal identification to be allowed into the area. Don’t go sightseeing by car or on foot – you could be mistaken for a looter.
• Avoid downed power lines, metal fences and other metal objects, and the use of matches or lighters. The power lines may be live, or there could be a gas leak in the area.
• If you do make it back to your lodgings, be sure that the electric and gas lines have been checked for safety before you turn them back on.
• Flooding can contribute to pest infestations in certain areas. Check carefully for mice, rats, snakes and insects that may have come with the storm.
• Assume that water from the tap is not safe to drink.
• Continue to monitor the radio or TV local news stations for important announcements before, during and after the storm

More information about Tropical Storm and Hurricane Safety            

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/index.shtm   

http://www.satcaweb.org     

http://www.hewsweb.org/storms/  

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ 

http://www.weather.gov/os/hurricane/

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/hurricanecentral/?from=secondarynav

http://www.meteoalarm.eu/

http://www.gdacs.org/index.asp