Hurricane History

Post-Tropical Cyclone Reports (Preliminary Storm Summary)
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Issued by local NWS offices about a week after a tropical cyclone effected their region.
The reports are produced by local National Weather Service offices.

? ACUS74 KSAT PSHSAT - SAN ANTONIO, TX
? WWUS41 KSAT PSHSAT - SAN ANTONIO, TX
? ACUS74 KNEW PSHNEW - NEW ORLEANS, LA
? WWUS41 KBHM PSHBHM - BIRMINGHAM, AL
? WWUS41 KBWI PSHBWI - BALTIMORE/ WASHINGTON, MD
? WWUS41 KSAN PSHSAN - SAN DIEGO, CA
? WWUS41 KLAX PSHLAX - LOS ANGELES, CA
? WWUS41 KPHX PSHPHX - PHOENIX, AZ
PSHDAB - DAYTONA BEACH, FL
PSHPNS - PENSACOLA, FL
PSHBPT - BEAUMONT/PORT ARTHUR, TX
PSHVCT - VICTORIA, TX
PSHATL - ATLANTA, GA
PSHSJU - SAN JUAN, PR
PSHSPN - SAN JUAN, PR (SPANISH)
PSHPPG - PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA
PSHKMR - MAJURO ATOLL, MARSHALL ISLANDS
PSHHFO - HONOLULU, HAWAII
PSHTTP - POHNPEI, FED. STATES OF MICRONESIA
PSHTKR - KOROR, PALAU
PSHTKK - CHUUK, WENO ISLAND
PSHT11 - YAP, YAP ISLAND
PSHPQ - TIYAN, GUAM
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/GUM/PSHPQ
http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ac/acpq70.pgum.psh.pq.txt
http://twister.sbs.ohio-state.edu/text/station/PGUM/ACPQ70.PGUM

The Hurricane Center's recent research shows more people lose their lives to freshwater floods developing after hurricanes make landfall than from accompanying wind, waves, and storm surge. In fact, nearly half of the 256 fatalities caused by Camille were the result of freshwater flooding.

Another area of huge potential loss, in addition to inland floods and mudslides, is traffic jams during mass evacuations. For example, a highway construction project snarled traffic and left 10,000 people on roadways near Pensacola, Fla., during Hurricane Opal in 1995. If the storm had not taken a turn away from the traffic jam, thousands of people could have been killed.

An overlooked but common cause of deaths is the danger of driving on the road during and just after a hurricane or storm. Falling trees or tree limbs and falling power poles can crush vehicles and its occupants. Electrocutions from downed or flooded power lines are also a hazard.

Hurricane Camille was one of only three Category 5 storms to effect the mainland United States. The first documented was a 1935 hurricane in the Florida Keys.

08/16/1992 M=13 2 SNBR=1161 ANDREW XING=1 SSS=5 [updated 10-years later from SSS=4 to SSS=5]
08/16*0000000 0 0*0000000 0 0*0000000 0 0*1080355 25 1010*
08/17*1120374 30 1009*1170396 30 1008*1230420 35 1006*1310442 35 1003*
08/18*1360462 40 1002*1410480 45 1001*1460499 45 1000*1540518 45 1000*
08/19*1630535 45 1001*1720553 45 1002*1800569 45 1005*1880583 45 1007*
08/20*1980593 40 1011*2070600 40 1013*2170607 40 1015*2250615 40 1014*
08/21*2320624 45 1014*2390633 45 1010*2440642 50 1007*2480649 50 1004*
08/22*2530659 55 1000*2560670 65 994*2580683 80 981*2570697 95 969*
08/23*2560711 110 961*2550725 130 947*2540742 145 933*2540758 150 922*
08/24*2540775 125 930*2540793 130 937*2560812 115 951*2580831 115 947*
08/25*2620850 115 943*2660867 115 948*2720882 120 946*2780896 125 941*
08/26*2850905 125 937*2920913 120 955*3010917 80 973*3090916 50 991*
08/27*3150911 35 995*3210905 30 997*3280896 30 998*3360884 25 999*
08/28*3440867 20 1000*3540840 20 1000*0000000 0 0*0000000 0 0*
HRCFL5BFL3 LA3
25.4N 75.8W 150kt 922mb [updated 10-years later from 135kt to 150kt]

08/14/1969 M= 9 3 SNBR= 934 CAMILLE XING=1 SSS=5
08/14* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0* 0 0 0 0*194 820 50 991*
08/15*197 827 55 0*201 833 60 0*207 838 85 970*212 841 100 964*
08/16*223 844 90 0*231 852 105 0*237 859 120 0*242 865 130 908*
08/17*252 872 140 905*260 877 155 0*270 882 160 0*283 887 165 0*
08/18*294 891 165 909*307 896 100 0*322 900 65 0*334 901 50 0*
08/19*347 900 30 0*360 893 30 0*370 880 30 0*377 860 25 0*
08/20*380 848 25 0*374 802 25 0*373 770 25 0*370 751 30 0*
08/21*366 734 40 0*367 709 45 0*373 684 50 0*380 649 55 0*
08/22*392 614 60 0*408 582 55 0*430 540 50 0* 0 0 0 0*
HR LA5 MS5
28.3N 88.7W 165kt <905mb?

08/29/1935 M=13 2 SNBR= 615 NOT NAMED XING=1 SSS=5
08/29* 0 0 0 0*242 683 35 0*242 693 35 0*242 698 35 0*
08/30*242 704 35 0*242 709 40 0*242 714 40 0*241 720 45 0*
08/31*241 726 45 0*240 730 50 0*239 735 55 0*238 743 55 0*
09/01*237 753 60 0*236 763 60 0*237 773 65 0*238 781 75 0*
09/02*239 786 90 0*240 790 105 0*242 793 120 0*243 797 130 0*
09/03*245 801 140 892*249 808 130 0*252 813 115 0*261 823 100 0*
09/04*271 830 95 0*279 834 85 0*287 835 80 0*295 835 75 0*
09/05*305 832 60 0*317 827 60 0*330 817 55 0*341 805 55 0*
09/06*352 791 55 0*361 772 60 0*370 751 65 0*383 709 75 0*
09/07*397 654 80 0E408 602 80 0E420 550 80 0E433 498 75 0*
09/08E448 447 75 0E466 396 70 0E485 363 65 0E493 351 60 0*
09/09E500 342 60 0E521 321 55 0E540 312 50 0E550 311 45 0*
09/10E560 321 40 0E570 335 35 0E580 360 35 0* 0 0 0 0*
HRBFL5AFL2
24.5N 80.1W 140kt ~892mb?

Light...5 kt or less
Moderate...16 to 21 kt
Strong...22 to 27 kt
Near Gale...28 to 33 kt
Gale...34 to 47 kt
Storm...48 to 63 kt
Hurricane...64 kt or greater

Tropical Depression	< 39 mph < 34 kt
Tropical Storm	39-73 mph 34-63 kt
Hurricane	> 73 mph > 63 kt

Scale Category	Central Pressure	Wind Speeds	Storm Surge	Damage
1	=> 980 mb => 28.94 in	74-95 mph 64-82 kt 119-153 kph	4-5 ft 1.2-1.5 m	MINIMAL: Damage is primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored mobile homes. No real damage occurs in building structures. Some damage is done to poorly constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads are inundated, minor pier damage occurs, some small craft in exposed anchorages torn from moorings.
2	965-979 mb 28.50-28.91 in	96-110 mph 83-95 kt 154-177 kph	6-8 ft 1.8-2.4 m	MODERATE: Considerable damage is done to shrubbery and tree foliage, some trees are blown down. Major structural damage occurs to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage occurs to poorly constructed signs. Some damage is done to roofing materials, windows, and doors; no major damage occurs to the building integrity of structures. Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland may be cut by rising water 2-4 hours before the hurricane center arrives. Considerable pier damage occurs, marinas are flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying island areas is required.
3	945-964 mb 27.91-28.47 in	111-130 mph 96-113 kt 178-209 kph	9-12 ft 2.7-3.7 m	EXTENSIVE: Foliage torn from trees and shrubbery; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs are blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings occurs, with some window and door damage. Some structural damage occurs to small buildings, residences and utility buildings. Mobile homes are destroyed. There is a minor amount of failure of curtain walls (in framed buildings). Serious flooding occurs at the coast with many smaller structures near the coast destroyed. Larger structures near the coast are damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before the hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet (1.5 m) or less above sea level flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of shoreline may be required.
4	920-944 mb 27.17-27.88 in	131-155 mph 114-135 kt 210-249 kph	13-18 ft 3.9-5.5 m	EXTREME: Shrubs and trees are blown down; all signs are down. Extensive roofing material and window and door damage occurs. Complete failure of roofs on many small residences occurs, and there is complete destruction of mobile homes. Some curtain walls experience failure. Flat terrain 10 feet (3 m) or less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles (9.7 km). Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before the hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches occurs. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards (457 m) of the shoreline may be required, and of single-story residences on low ground within 2 miles (3.2 km) of the shoreline.
5	< 920 mb < 27.17 in	> 155 mph > 135 kt > 249 kph	> 18 ft > 5.5 m	CATASTROPHIC: Shrubs and trees are blown down; all signs are down. Considerable damage to roofs of buildings. Very severe and extensive window and door damage occurs. Complete failure of roof structures occurs on many residences and industrial buildings, and extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors occurs. Some complete buildings fail. Small buildings are overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes occurs. Major damage occurs to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft (4.6 m) above sea level and within 500 yards (457 m) of the shoreline. Low-lying escape routes inland are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before the hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches occurs. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required!

Estimated winds for future reference at Central Marion County, Florida.
Sustained winds = 1 minute average of measured winds. Mobile homes in danger above 70 knots.

Hurricanes crossing over the Ocala area usually came from the Gulf of Mexico or south Florida with average forward speeds of 10 to 15 knots.

Category 5 - 135 kt from the Gulf moving 24 kt = 105 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Gulf moving 16 kt = 100 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Gulf moving 8 kt = 95 kt
Category 4 - 120 kt from the Gulf moving 24 kt = 95 kt
Category 4 - 120 kt from the Gulf moving 16 kt = 90 kt
Category 4 - 120 kt from the Gulf moving 8 kt = 75 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Gulf moving 24 kt = 85 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Gulf moving 16 kt = 75 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Gulf moving 8 kt = 65 kt

Category 5 - 135 kt from the Atlantic moving 24 kt = 105 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Atlantic moving 16 kt = 100 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Atlantic moving 8 kt = 85 kt
Category 4 - 120 kt from the Atlantic moving 24 kt = 95 kt
Category 4 - 120 kt from the Atlantic moving 16 kt = 90 kt
Category 4 - 120 kt from the Atlantic moving 8 kt = 75 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Atlantic moving 24 kt = 85 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Atlantic moving 16 kt = 75 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Atlantic moving 8 kt = 65 kt

Estimated winds for future reference at Western Orange and Southern Lake County, Florida.
Sustained winds = 1 minute average of measured winds. Mobile homes in danger above 70 knots.

Hurricanes crossing over the Orlando area usually came from the Gulf of Mexico or south Florida with average forward speeds of 10 to 15 knots.

Category 5 - 135 kt from the Gulf moving 24 kt = 110 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Gulf moving 16 kt = 110 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Gulf moving 8 kt = 95 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Gulf moving 24 kt = 90 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Gulf moving 16 kt = 75 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Gulf moving 8 kt = 65 kt

Category 5 - 135 kt from the Atlantic moving 24 kt = 105 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Atlantic moving 16 kt = 100 kt
Category 5 - 135 kt from the Atlantic moving 8 kt = 90 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Atlantic moving 24 kt = 85 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Atlantic moving 16 kt = 80 kt
Category 3 - 105 kt from the Atlantic moving 8 kt = 70 kt

The greatest inland threat from tropical cyclones is freshwater flooding. Slower storms produce greater amounts of rain and the heaviest rains occur with a storm moving less than 10 mph.

A rule of thumb for estimating the total rainfall in inches is to divide 100 by the forward speed (in mph).

Freshwater Flooding 59%
Freshwater floods accounted for more than half (59%) of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths over the past 30 years. These floods are why 63% of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths during that period occurred in inland counties.
Wind 12%
Surf 12%
Offshore 11%
Tornado 4%
Other 2%
Surge 1%

Hurricane Katrina became the costliest disaster in United States of America's history in 2005. It was only a Category 3 hurricane when it hit the US coastline.

08/23/2005 M= 9 11 SNBR=1336 KATRINA XING=1 SSS=3
08/23*0000000 0 0*0000000 0 0*0000000 0 0*2310751 30 1008*
08/24*2340757 30 1007*2380762 30 1007*2450765 35 1006*2540769 40 1003*
08/25*2600777 45 1000*2610784 50 997*2620790 55 994*2620796 60 988*
08/26*2590803 70 983*2540813 65 987*2510820 75 979*2490826 85 968*
08/27*2460833 90 959*2440840 95 950*2440847 100 942*2450853 100 948*
08/28*2480859 100 941*2520867 125 930*2570877 145 909*2630886 150 902*
08/29*2720892 140 905*2820896 125 913*2950896 110 923*3110896 80 948*
08/30*3260891 50 961*3410886 40 978*3560880 30 985*3700870 30 990*
08/31E3860853 30 994E4010829 25 996*0000000 0 0*0000000 0 0*
HRCFL1LA3MS3AL1

The city government of New Orleans uses M/A-COM ProVoice that radio scanners cannot monitor.
More on this at stepsto2.htm

AM broadcast stations that are designated as a local emergency broadcast station should always add shortwave services during times of emergency broadcasting. It is an excellent idea and the New Orleans disaster is a good example but shortwave simulcast started too late after that disaster. Before the next US disaster, broadcasters should plan on doing this because it is another excellent way to get out information. Shortwave simulcast should begin before an impending disaster or immediately afterwards.
http://www.wwl.com/article.asp?id=114239
http://www.primetimeshortwave.com/

Amateur radio operators were listed in the "What Went Right" section of the White House review of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

"Other organizations worked tirelessly to assist emergency responders that, due to the storm, did not have the equipment and means to effectively carry out their duties. Amateur Radio Operators from both the Amateur Radio Emergency Service and the American Radio Relay League, monitored distress calls and rerouted emergency requests for assistance throughout the U.S. until messages were received by emergency response personnel. A distress call made from a cell phone on a rooftop in New Orleans to Baton Rouge was relayed, via ham radio, from Louisiana to Oregon, then Utah, and finally back to emergency personnel in Louisiana, who rescued the 15 stranded victims. Ham radio operators voluntarily manned the amateur radio stations at sites such as the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Watch Net, Waterway Net, Skywarn and the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network."

Remember that you are on your own in any disaster! The ambulance, fire, and police will not come to your aid because they will first protect themselves. Even after a disaster you still may not receive help in time because they will be overloaded helping others and roads may be damaged or blocked by debris. And worst, the authorities will not immediately allow people wanting to help to enter the area until they feel it is safe to do so.

You can lose all communications when trying to contact your loved-ones. No working 911 system, no working cellphones or telephones, no electricity, no Internet. Even satellite phones can get overloaded making them useless. Amateur radio and becomes the only means of communications.

Flood waters, falling tree branches and debris, electrocution from powerlines in water, and violence against people are the most likely causes of death after a storm disaster whether in a vehicle or on foot.