Hurricane Frances

Hurricane Formation

An Atlantic Ocean hurricane is born when sun-heated seawater evaporates into

warm, moist air, or water vapor.

This humid air collides with westward-moving airwaves from

Africa and is pushed in our direction.

The Hurricanes that effect the United States form over the AtlanticOcean just off the coast of Africa. They form in this area during late summer because the surface water of the ocean is warm and rising as water vapor in the air.

Fierce winds and the rotation of the Earth swirl the forming thunderclouds into a pinwheel shape.

South of the equator these storms will rotate clockwise and are known as typhoons.

North of the equator, a hurricane swirls counterclockwise. As it spins it sucks up more warm ocean water from below.

When the winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

The center of the hurricane is called the ‘eye’. This area is very calm and usually spans 25-20 miles in diameter. As the eye of the storm passes over land it will be perfectly calm and seem like a normal day.

The eyewall of the storm surrounds the eye andis where the most fierce winds are located.

As you move outwards from the eye of the storm you will pass through several rain bands.

The storm surge that is brought by the hurricane is usually the most destructive

and dangerous hazard associated with the storm.

This massive wall of water is generated by the hurricane’s wind and often levels everything

in it’s path.

Storm Surge damages seen after hurricane Frances hit Ft. Pierce, FL.

Sand and other debris deposited by the storm surge in Central FloridaHutchinson Island

Categorizing HurricanesHurricanes are placed into categories based on the following factors:

•Wind Speed•Storm Intensity

This can be done using the Saffir-Simpson Scale

Based on the storm’s category, scientisits can estimate:•Storm Surge Heights•Expected Flooding•Expected Property Damage

Effects (Saffir-Simpson Scale)

1Winds 74-95

mphSurge 4-5 ft

No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage

2Winds 96-

110 mphSurge 6-8 ft

Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.

3Winds 111-

130 mphSurge 9-12 ft

Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet ASL may be flooded inland 8 miles or more.

4Winds 131-

155 mphSurge 13-18

ft

More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet ASL may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas inland as far as 6 miles.

5Winds over

155 mphSurge over

18 ft

Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet ASL and within 500 yards of the shoreline.Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of the shoreline may be required.

Projected Path of Frances September 2, 2004 5:00 PM

The path of an approaching hurricane can be predicted using computer generated models.These models often change on a daily/hourly basis

Florida Tells 2.5 Million Residents To Flee Hurricane

86% of Florida Population was

predicted to be affected

These predictions are used to alert the public and safely evacuate the people that may be in

danger.

Governor issued order for all costal communities to evacuate

Friday September 3, 2004 towns closed: waiting, streets empty. Frances stalls in Bahamas.

Friday September 3, 2004 Bahamas

Atlantis Hotel

Bahamian International Airport

Saturday September 4, 2004 Frances arrives in Florida

Fort Pierce

Brevard County Malabar

Cocoa Beach

Orlando

September 5, 2004 First views of East and Central Florida DamageJensen Beach

September 5, 2004 First views of East and Central Florida DamageVero Beach

September 5, 2004 First views of East and Central Florida DamagePalm Beach County

September 5, 2004 First views of East and Central Florida DamageStuart

September 6, 2004 First views of East and Central Florida DamageBrevard County, east of Orlando

September 6, 2004 First views of East and Central Florida DamageOrange County, Orlando

September 6, 2004 First views of North West Central Florida DamageLake County North West of Orlando

September 6, 2004 First views of Tampa, St Petersburg area

September 6, 2004 Francis Leaves Florida’s West Coast

60 of 67 Counties of Florida directly affected by Hurricane Frances.

Estimated 80-90 % of Citrus Industry destroyed after two hurricanes in three weeks

Now Florida faces another Chapter of 2004 Hurricane Season

Floridians are trying to decide to fly away or stick it out.