Evaluating Storms:
To qualify as a hurricane, the new May 15, 2012 Saffir-Simpson Scale shows a maximum sustained wind between 74 and 95 miles per hour (mph) with a storm surge of 4 to 5 feet above normal to be a Category One storm. With Superstorm Sandy, that had circular rotation with an eye, but the storm didn’t meet all the qualifications to be a hurricane. The larger than normal size, the wind gusts up to 90 or 95 mph and larger storm surge still doesn’t qualify, but none of that makes any difference to all those people who lost their house, their memories, their lives.
Despite Sandy’s ranking falling short of hurricane status, we had things far worst with that storm because, this was the first storm to hit at high tide and with a full moon. This was the main reason for a storm surge along the coast that had a wave height characteristic of a category three or four hurricane, not climate change. Nevertheless, with that said, that does not mean changing climates are not real!
With Helene, as the storm moved inland, new warnings should have been issued for people to evacuate near rivers due to the strong possibility of Flash Floods going over the top of river banks. The amount of rain fall was tremendous, but wheater outlets seemed to think the people on higher ground need not worry. That proved to be a horrible error. Even people in the mountain area, but by rivers, lost their property and many lost their lives.
To qualify as a hurricane, the new May 15, 2012 Saffir-Simpson Scale shows a maximum sustained wind between 74 and 95 miles per hour (mph) with a storm surge of 4 to 5 feet above normal to be a Category One storm. With Superstorm Sandy, that had circular rotation with an eye, but the storm didn’t meet all the qualifications to be a hurricane. The larger than normal size, the wind gusts up to 90 or 95 mph and larger storm surge still doesn’t qualify, but none of that makes any difference to all those people who lost their house, their memories, their lives.
Despite Sandy’s ranking falling short of hurricane status, we had things far worst with that storm because, this was the first storm to hit at high tide and with a full moon. This was the main reason for a storm surge along the coast that had a wave height characteristic of a category three or four hurricane, not climate change. Nevertheless, with that said, that does not mean changing climates are not real!
With Helene, as the storm moved inland, new warnings should have been issued for people to evacuate near rivers due to the strong possibility of Flash Floods going over the top of river banks. The amount of rain fall was tremendous, but wheater outlets seemed to think the people on higher ground need not worry. That proved to be a horrible error. Even people in the mountain area, but by rivers, lost their property and many lost their lives.
Power Lines Hanging Like Spaghetti Old and Antiquated:
How complacent have we become that we tolerate zero protection along the water and an infrastructure that is 70 years old? Water pours onto the city streets to flood tunnels, parking garages, and basements of apartment complexes. Flash Floods override river banks and we wonder why? We have power lines hanging like spaghetti from wood poles installed by Ma Bell in 1940. We disobey Mother Nature’s rules and then we use Global Warming to place fault. Next we claim we are shocked, shocked to find so much destruction, but we still all want to collect our winnings. Yes, like the lines in a classic movie, the root to all this is money. Profits or paying share holders all comes first before improving our infrastructure to save lives in the future.
The last part of this Going True Green blog post will be at the end of this month. Until then, also consider seeing our three part video as a member... Hurricanes: The Situation, Problems and Solutions
How complacent have we become that we tolerate zero protection along the water and an infrastructure that is 70 years old? Water pours onto the city streets to flood tunnels, parking garages, and basements of apartment complexes. Flash Floods override river banks and we wonder why? We have power lines hanging like spaghetti from wood poles installed by Ma Bell in 1940. We disobey Mother Nature’s rules and then we use Global Warming to place fault. Next we claim we are shocked, shocked to find so much destruction, but we still all want to collect our winnings. Yes, like the lines in a classic movie, the root to all this is money. Profits or paying share holders all comes first before improving our infrastructure to save lives in the future.
The last part of this Going True Green blog post will be at the end of this month. Until then, also consider seeing our three part video as a member... Hurricanes: The Situation, Problems and Solutions
To see our video on this topic consider becoming a GoingTrueGreen member with GTG Membership Link at top of page.
Then as a GTG Member you can take the three part video class!
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Then as a GTG Member you can take the three part video class!
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
