Beyond Katrina

A NASA Satellite Look at the Cape Verde Islands and the Region’s Hurricane Relevance

This is a visible image of the Cape Verde Islands on Dec. 12 at 14:45 UTC as seen by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer that flies aboard NASA's Aqua satellite. Credit: NASA's MODIS Rapid Response Team

After crashing onto Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula the morning of August 21, the GOES-12 satellite saw Hurricane Dean make a second landfall in Mexico near the town of Tecolutla at about 11:30 a.m. CDT on August 22. Credit: NASA/GOES Project

The Cape Verde islands off the western African coast are often mentioned during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and are known for developing "Cape Verde hurricanes." NASA's Aqua satellite flies over the islands almost daily, and recently captured a stunning visual image of them while directly overhead.

Last month, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, or MODIS instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite captured a peaceful looking satellite image of the Cape Verde Islands. As quiet as they appear in the winter, they were active in the summer of 2006 when NASA conducted an airborne hurricane field campaign nearby. That's because the Cape Verde Islands region is important in the formation of some Atlantic Ocean hurricanes.

The NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Activities (NAMMA) experiment included flights of the NASA DC-8 aircraft (based at Cape Verde) along with ground-based radar and other measurements from the islands and Dakar, Senegal, in western Africa. The goal was to study the transition of major convective storms moving off of Africa that had potential to develop into tropical cyclones.

Scott Braun, research meteorologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. said, "A particular focus in this experiment was the role of the warm, dry, and dusty Saharan Air Layer (SAL), which some studies have suggested may play a role in storm formation and evolution. There is considerable debate as to whether the SAL acts to aid or prevent storm formation and intensification, and the NAMMA data, combined with a wide variety of NASA satellite products, should help us to address key science questions regarding the SAL’s role."

So, why are the Cape Verde Islands important to hurricane researchers? Because tropical cyclones often form in the vicinity of those islands and have a reputation of making landfall in the U.S. They usually develop from tropical waves that form in the African savanna during the wet season and then move into the African steppes. Those waves that move off Africa's west coast can develop into tropical cyclones, usually in August or September. Some tropical cyclones however, have formed as early as July or as late as October.

The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago located in the Macaronesia ecoregion of the North Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa, opposite Mauritania and Senegal. It is slightly more than 4,000 km² (1,540 square miles) in area with an estimated population of over 500,000. The capital of Cape Verde is Praia. The previously uninhabited islands were discovered in the 15th century and colonized by the Portuguese. They attained independence from Portugal in 1975.

The average Atlantic Hurricane season brings with it approximately two Cape Verde hurricanes. These hurricanes are usually the most intense and the biggest storms of the season because they develop so far to the east and can travel over a large area of warm, open ocean waters that help power them. There are also no land forms in the way to slow tropical cyclones if they form near the Cape Verde Islands.

Cape Verde tropical cyclones also tend to be the longest-lived storms, because of the huge area of open ocean they have to move through. Some have even moved into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Dean (2007), one of the strongest landfalling hurricanes in the Atlantic, formed just west of the Islands around Aug. 13, moved into the Caribbean on Aug. 17, and made landfall in Belize as a category 5 storm on Aug. 21.

Hurricane Ivan (2004) formed southwest of the Islands on Sept. 3, 2004, moved into the Caribbean on Sept. 8 as a category 4 storm, and into the Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 14 as a category 5 storm. Ivan weakened somewhat to cat 4 intensity by landfall.

The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

 

Rob Gutro

NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hurricanes/features/cape-verde.html

One-Month Countdown to the 2007 Hurricane Season Begins Today; FEMA Urges Consumers to Protect Their Property With Flood Insurance

Today marks the official countdown to the 2007 hurricane season (starting June 1) and FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) reminds consumers there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new flood insurance policy takes effect. With experts predicting another above-average hurricane season just around the corner, now is the time for people to protect their home and property against the number one natural hazard in America -- floods.

Standard homeowners insurance does not typically cover flood damage. Flood insurance backed by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program provides homeowners, business owners and renters with the best protection available against flooding. Currently, more than 5.4 million people have flood insurance coverage for losses they would otherwise have to pay for themselves.

"Total claims paid during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons totaled nearly $18 billion -- approximately $3 billion more than the NFIP has paid out since the program began in 1978. Yet many properties located in high-risk flood areas remain uninsured or underinsured against floods. We urge all Americans to learn their flood risk and take steps to protect themselves," said David Maurstad, Assistant Administrator of Mitigation and Federal Insurance Administrator for FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.

The risk of hurricanes reaches beyond the Gulf Coast and Southeastern U.S. Many scientists predict the Northeast is long overdue for a major hurricane -- and storm surge is a major risk factor for this region. Flood insurance covers flooding from tidal and storm surge where other policies may not.

Although storm surge caused by hurricanes and tropical storms can wreak havoc on coastal areas, some of the most damaging floods occur hundreds of miles from the shoreline, days after the storm's initial landfall. As hurricanes and tropical storms move inland, torrential rains and high winds intensify the risks of flooding.

"In the summer of 2006, every region of the United States suffered a federally declared flood-related disaster. In addition to tropical systems, severe storms, heavy rains and snow melt caused millions of dollars in flood damage from California to Maryland. Even a few inches of water can cost thousands in repairs," said Maurstad.

One of the most significant and costly floods in 2006 occurred from severe storms and rainfall across much of the Northeast, resulting in more than $213 million in flood-insured losses.

Flood insurance is affordable and available through about 90 insurance companies in more than 20,200 participating communities nationwide. National Flood Insurance is available to renters, business owners, and homeowners. The average flood insurance policy premium is around $500 a year. And in low- to moderate-risk areas, homeowners can protect their properties with lower-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) that start at just $112 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk by visiting FloodSmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA coordinates the Federal government's role in preparing for,preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terrorism.

FEMA OFFERS TIPS TO PROTECT PROPERTY AND REDUCE FLOOD RISK DURING SUMMER FLOOD AND HURRICANE SEASON

Another active hurricane season is nearly upon us, and FEMA urges consumers to prepare now and protect their home and property against flood damage caused by heavy rains, severe storms and tropical systems. Just two inches of floodwater can destroy drywall, flooring, furniture and electrical systems -- and replacement or repair costs can easily soar to thousands of dollars. Below are simple steps that will help homeowners, business owners and renters to protect their home and assets from flood water:

-- Learn your flood risk: Anywhere it can rain, it can flood; and anywhere
it can flood, homes and properties are at risk for flood damage -- even those located outside of high-risk areas.  In fact, one out of every  four flood claims comes from a low- to moderate-risk area.  Residents can learn their relative flood risk by entering their address at FloodSmart.gov "Assess Your Risk." Local insurance agents can also provide flood risk information.

-- Make sure you have the right insurance: Review your insurance policies  and find out what they do and do not cover. Learn the difference  between replacement cost coverage versus standard coverage, which only  pays the actual cash value of insured property. Be sure that you have enough insurance to cover recent home renovations or improvements. Know  that most homeowners insurance polices do not cover flood damage, so be< sure to consider flood insurance for both your structure and its contents. There is typically a 30-day wait for a flood insurance policy  to take effect. Learn more by visiting FloodSmart.gov and http://www.Fema.gov.

-- Conduct a household inventory: For insurance purposes, be sure to keep
a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all  major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store  receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance claims. For help in conducting a home inventory, visit http://www.knowyourstuff.org.

-- Protect important financial documents: Store copies of irreplaceable  financial and family documents in a safe place, preferably one that is protected from both fire and water. Documents include automobile titles, tax records, stock and bond certificates, deeds, wills, trust  agreements, birth and marriage certificates, photos, passports and insurance policies. Keep originals in a safe deposit box. And don't forget the household inventory file!

-- Build an emergency supply kit: Food, bottled water, first aid supplies,medicines and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit http://www.ready.gov for a complete disaster supply checklist.

-- Plan for evacuation: Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your "family contact" in an emergency, and; make sure everyone knows the contact's address and phone number.

-- Reduce your flood risk through home maintenance or improvements:

* Make sure gutters and drains are cleared. Clean and maintain storm drains and gutters and remove debris from your property to allow free flow of potential floodwater.

* Move valuables and sentimental items to the highest floor of your home or business.

* Install backflow valves in waste lines to keep water flowing in onedirection.

* Protect your well from contamination.

* Anchor or elevate fuel tanks and elevate the main breaker or fuse boxand the utility meters above the anticipated flood level in your homeor business, so that floodwater won't damage your utilities.

Flood insurance is affordable and available through about 90 insurance companies in more than 20,200 participating communities nationwide. National Flood Insurance is available to renters, business owners, and homeowners. The average flood insurance policy premium is around $500 a year. And in low- to moderate-risk areas, homeowners can protect their properties with lower-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) that start at just $112 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk by visiting FloodSmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.

New Model Gauges Storm Strength

Predicting storm intensity has been one of the most difficult predictions to make for hurricane forecasters. However, this season forecasters are adding a new model to the computer programs they use.  The model, called Hurricane Weather and Research Forecast, or HWRF, has the potential to be the most accurate model to date in  predicting the track and intensity of a hurricane. More here.

New hurricane buoys on-line

EIGHT NEW NOAA BUOYS WILL PROVIDE MORE FORECASTING DATA THIS HURRICANE SEASON

April 23, 2007 — NOAA deployed the first two of      eight new hurricane buoys off Puerto Rico in an effort to fill a gap in important weather data coming from warm, storm-generating waters  there. Six more hurricane buoys will be placed in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean before the hurricane season ends in November.

(Click NOAA  image for larger view of the map indicating the NOAA deployment two  of eight new hurricane buoys. Buoy 42059 is located south of Puerto  Rico in the Caribbean Sea, and 41043 is north of Puerto Rico, in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Click here for high resolution version. Please credit “NOAA.”)

These buoys  measure wind, wave, barometric pressure, and air and sea temperatures  to determine hurricane formation or dissipation, extent of wind circulation,  maximum intensity and center location. Hurricane buoys provide year-round  data for analysis and forecasts of other marine disturbances but are more robust than other weather buoys because they contain an internal “We are in a period of an active hurricane cycle and this deployment equips our forecasters with an additional tool to track hurricanes and support our mission of saving lives and livelihoods,” said retired Navy & Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Additionally, this feeds into the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS, which is an international collaboration to share vital weather data and other environmental information critical to our understanding of the Earth’s processes.”

“This growth was fueled by the recognition that there is only one way to really  know the weather at sea—by being there,” states Paul Moersdorf,  Ph.D., director of the NOAA National & Data Buoy Center. “Priority has been placed in areas with serious weather. For example, we deployed 13 buoys in Alaskan waters, which experiences nasty weather all year long. We also have nine buoys that are designed to take a hurricane ‘licking’ and continue providing critical data to the NOAA National Hurricane Center and coastal residents of the Caribbean, Central America and southeast U.S.”

Beyond the six forthcoming hurricane buoys, the NOAA National Data Buoy Center is funded to deploy another weather buoy for Alaska and 11 new tsunami stations between now and March 2008.

In addition to the weather buoys, the NOAA National Data Buoy Center maintains 56 coastal stations, 28 tsunami warning and detection stations and 55 climate forecasting and research stations. The center also processes, quality controls and distributes data from more than 250 non-NOAA National Weather Service sources.

NOAA, an  agency of the U.S. Commerce Department,  is celebrating 200 years of science and service to the nation. From the establishment of the Survey of the Coast in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson to the formation of the Weather Bureau and the Commission of Fish and Fisheries in the 1870s, much of America's scientific heritage is rooted in NOAA. NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 60 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA National Data Buoy Center

NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Week

NOAA Hurricanes Portal

Source: NOAA