Topic Index


Basics Section

TOPIC

LOCATION

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Main page, Origin subsection
Property loss and loss of life figures Main page
Most frequent months of hurricane activity Season subsection
Monthly zones of origins and tracks Season subsection
Average number of tropical storms, hurricanes per year Origin subsection
Definition of tropical disturbance, tropical cyclone, hurricane Origin subsection
Ingredients for hurricane formation or decay Origin subsection
(Audio) Max Mayfield: Stages of Hurricane Development Origin subsection
Hurricane names Origin subsection 
Something to Think About:
    Why do hurricanes happen in summer/fall?
    Why don't hurricanes hit the West Coast?
Origin subsection 
Hurricane features: eye, eyewall, rainbands Structure subsection 
Average hurricane size Structure subsection 
Extent of tropical storm-force and hurricane-force winds Structure subsection
Test Your Understanding: Which Way Is the Wind Blowing? Structure subsection
Hurricane movement--why hurricane paths can be erratic Structure subsection
Hurricane speed Structure subsection
Right side of storm (increase in hazards) Structure subsection
Test Your Understanding: Right Side and Storm Surge Structure subsection
Observation tools (ships, buoys, satellites, radiosondes, reconnaissance aircraft, radar, ASOS) Observations subsection
(Audio) Max Mayfield: The Three Main Methods of Observing Hurricanes Observations subsection

Hazards Section

TOPIC

LOCATION

Definition of storm surge Storm Surge subsection
Storm surge and slope of continental shelf Storm Surge subsection
(Audio) Brian Jarvinen: Additional Comments on Storm Surge Storm Surge subsection
SLOSH model Storm Surge subsection
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Storm Surge subsection, High Winds subsection
Storm surge pictures for different categories of storms in Brunswick, GA and Long Island, NY Storm Surge subsection,
Wind speed decrease after landfall High Winds subsection
Inland wind model High Winds subsection
Hurricane rainfall amounts Heavy Rains subsection
Inland threats from hurricane rains Heavy Rains subsection
Fujita intensity scale for tornado strength Tornadoes subsection
Tornado facts Tornadoes subsection

Forecasting Section

TOPIC

LOCATION

Forecast process Process subsection
Computer models Process subsection, Process/national subsection, Uncertainty subsection (click Sources of Uncertainty)
Tour of National Hurricane Center: description of NHC, CARCAH, TAFB, TSB, HLT Process/national subsection
Definition of watches and warnings Process/national subsection (click NHC in diagram), Process/products subsection (click Tropical cyclone public advisories)
Local WFO Process/local subsection
Tropical cyclone public advisories Process/products subsection
Tropical cyclone forecast/advisories Process/products subsection
Wind radii Process/products subsection
Explanation of Z (UTC) Time Process/products subsection (click Tropical cyclone forecast/advisories)
Tropical cyclone discussions Process/products subsection
Tropical cyclone strike probability forecasts Process/products subsection
Maximum strike probability for different forecast periods Process/products subsection (click Tropical cyclone strike probability forecasts), Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
Strike probability tables and graphics Process/products subsection (click Tropical cyclone strike probability forecasts), Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
Hurricane local statement Process/products subsection
Inland high wind watches and warnings Process/products subsection
Errors in forecasts Uncertainty subsection (click Sources of Uncertainty)
Errors in hurricane track forecasts Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
(Audio) Max Mayfield: Improvements and Limitations in Track Forecasting Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
(Audio) Robert Smith: Why Emergency Managers Can't Wait to Make a Decision Until the Forecast Probabilities are Higher Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
Average intensity error by forecast period Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
Graphs and tables showing forecast intensity probabilities (maximum wind speed probability) Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
(Audio) Max Mayfield: Limitations in Intensity Forecasting Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: "As a county director you have to be prepared to make decisions for evacuations..." (link from "The hurricane will probably miss you much more often than it will hit you...") Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
(Audio) Max Mayfield: Changing People's Mindsets about Evacuation (link from "The hurricane will probably miss you much more often than it will hit you...") Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
Test Your Understanding:  What's Your Risk? Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
Test Your Understanding:  It's Later than You Think Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
Test Your Understanding:  It's Closer than You Think Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Forecast Error and the HURREVAC Model Cone (link from "HURREVAC (Hurricane Evacuation) model, which displays a cone...") Uncertainty subsection (click Solutions: Dealing with Uncertainty) in the Answer to Test Your Understanding:  It's Closer than You Think

Decision Making Section

TOPIC

LOCATION

(Audio) John Wilson: Testing an Evacuation Plan (link from "Conduct training and periodic exercises...) Main page
(Audio) Robert Smith: How Local Events Can Affect Timing (link from "Monitor local events...") Main page
(Audio) John Wilson: Sanibel Island, FL: A Community Designed With Hurricane Preparedness In Mind Planning subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Why Planning Is Important Planning subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Best Laid Plans Go Astray Planning subsection (screen 2)
Local Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) with Hurricane Plan Component or Annex Planning/information subsection
(Audio) Robert Smith: Flexible Hurricane Plans (link from "EOPs must be revised and updated regularly...") Planning/information subsection (link to EOP)
Suite of NHC hurricane products (summary) Planning/information subsection
Suite of local WFO forecast office products (summary) Planning/information subsection
Hurricane Evacuation Study (HES) Planning/information subsection
HURREVAC Computer Program Planning/information subsection
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Using the HURREVAC Model (link from "HURREVAC") Planning/information subsection (click HURREVAC Computer Program in table)
First Opal Scenario Planning/information subsection (screen 4)
(Audio) Robert Smith: Check Equipment and Supplies Planning/information subsection (screen 5)
(Audio) Robert Smith: Alert Officials To a Hurricane 3 or 4 Days Away Planning/information subsection (screen 5)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Find Key Players Planning/information subsection (screen 5)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Coordinate with Other Agencies Planning/information subsection (screen 5)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Planning and Teamwork (link from "Coordinate with other emergency managers...) Planning/issues subsection
Time Delineating Schedule (TDS) for Storm Emergencies" Implement subsection
Levels of activating an Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
(link from " limited use of the Emergency Operations Center...")
Implement/awareness subsection (screen 1)
HURREVAC decision arcs Implement/awareness subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Evacuation, Tropical-force Winds, and the Decision Arc (link from "other information") Implement/awareness subsection (screen 2)
Factors that can influence an evacuation decision Implement/awareness subsection (screen 3)
Second Opal Scenario (Opal 21) Implement/awareness subsection (screen 4)
Diagram: Using the location of the tropical storm-force winds (rather than the eye) to calculate when an evacuation must be finished Implement/awareness subsection (screen 4) (click on the 4th response--Monitor weather conditions only--and then on "diagram")
Question: What is the approximate location error
(statistically) for this forecast?
Implement/awareness subsection (screen 5)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: 72-hour Forecasts Can Change Radically in Just 6 Hours Implement/awareness subsection (screen 6)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: A Forecaster's Confidence in a 72-hour Forecast Implement/awareness subsection (screen 6)
Activities in "awareness" stage Implement/awareness subsection (screen 7)
(Audio) Robert Smith: Special-needs populations (link from "special-needs populations...") Implement/awareness subsection (screen 7)
Typical decisions made during the "standby" stage Implement/standby subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) Robert Smith: Continue Notifying Affected Agencies (link from "Continue Notifying Affected Agencies...") Implement/standby subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) Robert Smith:  Contact the DOT (link from "Contact Department of Transportation...") Implement/standby subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) John Wilson:  Check Resources and Staffing (link from "Recommend all affected agencies check resources...") Implement/standby subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) Robert Smith: Coordinate with Special Institutions (link from "Coordinate with special institutions...") Implement/standby subsection (screen 1)
Third Opal Scenario (Opal 22) Implement/standby subsection (screen 2)
Definition of "decision" stage Implement/decision subsection (screen 1)
Fourth Opal Scenario (Opal 23) Implement/decision subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) Robert Smith:  Planning for the Worst Implement/decision subsection (screen 4)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Starting Evacuations before a Hurricane Watch Is Issued Implement/decision subsection (screen 4)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Consider Costs when Making Evacuation Decisions Implement/decision subsection (screen 4)
Question: How long before the 40-mph winds start affecting your location? Implement/decision subsection (screen 5)
Diagram: Calculating when 40-mph winds will affect an area given distance from center and speed of storm Implement/decision subsection (screen 5) (click any answer to Question)
Question: When should you plan to start the evacuation? Implement/decision subsection (screen 5)
Definition of "preparation" stage Implement/preparation subsection (screen 1)
Fifth Opal Scenario (Opal 24) Implement/preparation subsection (screen 2)
Factors to consider during preparation phase Implement/preparation subsection (screen 3)
(Audio) Max Mayfield: Gridlock and Phased Evacuations (link from "The evacuation should be completed before...") Implement/preparation subsection (screen 3)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Don't Close Schools Yet (link from "Don't recommend school closures yet...") Implement/preparation subsection (screen 3)
Sixth Opal Scenario (Opal 25) Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) Billy Wagner: First Evacuees in the Florida Keys (link from "what populations are more vulnerable...") Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) Billy Wagner: Refuge of Last Resort (link from "what populations are more vulnerable...") Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 2)
Question: What would happen if the hurricane intensified or gained forward speed Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 3)
Track and intensity forecast graphs Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 3)
Question: What hazards can you expect on the right-front side? Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 4)
(Audio) Bill Massey: When Storm Surge Becomes Noticeable (link in enhanced storm surge answer to question) Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 4)
Seventh Opal Scenario (Opal 26) Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 6)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Evacuating People at Night Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 8)
(Audio) Bill Massey: When You Wait too Long to Evacuate Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 8)
Eighth Opal Scenario (Opal 27) Implement/evacuation subsection (screen 10)
Definition of "storm" stage Implement/storm subsection (screen 1)
Ninth Opal Scenario (Opal 28) Implement/storm subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Factors for Terminating an Evacuation (link from "called off the evacuation...") Implement/storm subsection (screen 3)
Tenth Opal Scenario (Opal 29) Implement/storm subsection (screen 4)
(Audio) Robert Smith:  Plan for Evaluation after the Storm (link from "Determine needs and requirements...") Implement/storm subsection (screen 5)
(Audio) Robert Smith:  Maintain Communications (link from "Stay in touch...") Implement/storm subsection (screen 5)
(Audio) John Wilson: Ignore Pleas for Help (link from "Ignore pleas for help...") Implement/storm subsection (screen 5)
Eleventh Opal Scenario (Opal 30) Implement/storm subsection (screen 6)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Calls to the EOC during the Storm Implement/storm subsection (screen 7)
Procedures during "evaluation" stage Implement/evaluation subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) Robert Smith:  Damage Assessment: Compare Post-storm Aerial Surveys to Pre-storm Surveys (link from "Damage Reports...") Implement/evaluation subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Needs Assessment (link from "Needs Assessments...") Implement/evaluation subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) Bill Massey: Starting a Needs Assessment (link from "Needs Assessments...") Implement/evaluation subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) William Winn, Jr.: Accounting for the Safety of Your Emergency Personnel (link from "Re-entry...") Implement/evaluation subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) John Wilson: Mutual Aid (link from "Mutual Aid...") Implement/evaluation subsection (screen 1)
(Audio) John Wilson, William Winn, Jr., Bill Massey: Plan for Re-entry Implement/evaluation subsection (screen 2)
(Audio): A. Todd Davison: Assess building codes Implement/recovery subsection (screen 2)
(Audio): A. Todd Davison: Post-storm building permits Implement/recovery subsection (screen 2)
(Audio): A. Todd Davison: Having insurance companies supply mitigation money Implement/recovery subsection (screen 2)
(Audio): A. Todd Davison: Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CoBRA) Implement/recovery subsection (screen 2)
(Audio): A. Todd Davison: Local mitigation planning and strategies Implement/recovery subsection (screen 2)
(Audio) Robert Smith:  Major Factors in Making a Decision to Evacuate. (link from "In addition, you must weigh the probabilities...") Summary subsection