According to NOAA the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which ended 11/30, was one of the busiest on record.
In the Atlantic Basin a total of 19 named storms formed – tied with 1887 and 1995 for third highest on record. Of those, 12 became hurricanes – tied with 1969 for second highest on record. Five of those reached major hurricane status of Category 3 or higher.
“As NOAA forecasters predicted, the Atlantic hurricane season was one of the most active on record, though fortunately most storms avoided the U.S. For that reason, you could say the season was a gentle giant,” said Jack Hayes, Ph.D., director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. Information from the NOAA website.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
A Summary of Tropical Weather in the North Atlantic Region through Sept 30, 2010
NAME DATES MAX WIND (MPH)
----------------------------------------------------
H ALEX 25 JUN-2 JUL 105
TD TWO 7-8 JUL 35
TS BONNIE 22-24 JUL 40
TS COLIN 2-8 AUG 60
TD FIVE 10-11 AUG 35
MH DANIELLE 21-31 AUG 135
MH EARL 25 AUG-5 SEP 145
TS FIONA 30 AUG-4 SEP 60
TS GASTON 1-2 SEP 40
TS HERMINE 6-8 SEP 65
MH IGOR 8-21 SEP 155
MH JULIA 12-20 SEP 135
MH KARL 14-18 SEP 120
H LISA 21-26 SEP 80
TS MATTHEW 23-26 SEP 60
TS NICOLE 28-29 SEP 40
----------------------------------------------------
H ALEX 25 JUN-2 JUL 105
TD TWO 7-8 JUL 35
TS BONNIE 22-24 JUL 40
TS COLIN 2-8 AUG 60
TD FIVE 10-11 AUG 35
MH DANIELLE 21-31 AUG 135
MH EARL 25 AUG-5 SEP 145
TS FIONA 30 AUG-4 SEP 60
TS GASTON 1-2 SEP 40
TS HERMINE 6-8 SEP 65
MH IGOR 8-21 SEP 155
MH JULIA 12-20 SEP 135
MH KARL 14-18 SEP 120
H LISA 21-26 SEP 80
TS MATTHEW 23-26 SEP 60
TS NICOLE 28-29 SEP 40
Monday, October 18, 2010
Straight from Pasco County's Emergency Manager, Jim Martin
Here is the latest on the tropics. We still have 43 days remaining in the 2010 Hurricane Season.
* A low pressure system located in the southwestern Caribbean Sea just east of the Nicaragua/Honduras border, or about 680 miles south of Key West, Florida, continues to produce disorganized, but increasing, shower and thunderstorm activity.
* Atmospheric conditions are favorable for development and the National Hurricane Center is indicating a 30% chance that this disturbance will become a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next two days. The next name in the list is Richard.
* Steering currents in the Caribbean Sea are weak and computer models are in disagreement with the intensity and track of the system.
* The majority of the models suggest that this system may not even reach tropical storm intensity and will move slowly inland or scrape along the coast. However, some models suggest that the system may gain some strength as it stays over the water or re-emerges into the Caribbean around mid-week.
* Hurricane Hunters are tentatively scheduled to investigate the system Tuesday afternoon.
* Elsewhere in the tropics, a tropical wave in the east-central Atlantic has a 10% chance of development within the next 2 days.
* Additional information can be found at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
* A low pressure system located in the southwestern Caribbean Sea just east of the Nicaragua/Honduras border, or about 680 miles south of Key West, Florida, continues to produce disorganized, but increasing, shower and thunderstorm activity.
* Atmospheric conditions are favorable for development and the National Hurricane Center is indicating a 30% chance that this disturbance will become a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next two days. The next name in the list is Richard.
* Steering currents in the Caribbean Sea are weak and computer models are in disagreement with the intensity and track of the system.
* The majority of the models suggest that this system may not even reach tropical storm intensity and will move slowly inland or scrape along the coast. However, some models suggest that the system may gain some strength as it stays over the water or re-emerges into the Caribbean around mid-week.
* Hurricane Hunters are tentatively scheduled to investigate the system Tuesday afternoon.
* Elsewhere in the tropics, a tropical wave in the east-central Atlantic has a 10% chance of development within the next 2 days.
* Additional information can be found at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Fisheries Law Enforcement Updates
NOAA is committed to improving its communications with its constituents and stakeholders, even if it means hearing their complaints. Issues surrounding law enforcement are sensitive, and fishermen may be afraid to come forward to report problems. NOAA already has a web site for the public to provide information involving current investigations or to report possible violations of law (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/cc.html), and an Enforcement Hotline that is operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (1-800-853-1964).
In order to provide further protection to anyone who has information regarding enforcement improprieties by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement or enforcement attorneys, NOAA will establish another hotline – this one specifically to report unfair or overzealous enforcement actions or other breaches of conduct by NOAA enforcement agents or attorneys. This Enforcement Complaint e-Hotline will be a link on the NOAA homepage that will allow stakeholders to report any issues to NOAA management through a specific email address (OLE.ComplaintHotline@noaa.gov) that will go directly to NOAA Headquarters. Any complaints received will be reviewed at Headquarters and, as necessary, investigated further. This should provide fishermen and other members of the regulated community a mechanism for raising issues about NOAA law enforcement without fear of reprisal. NOAA will evaluate the effectiveness of the Enforcement Complaint Hotline after one year to ensure that it is providing an appropriate outlet for enforcement complaints. If it is not working, NOAA will take additional actions to ensure that if the regulated community has issues with NOAA enforcement, they will be heard.
NOAA Proposed Policy on Prohibited and Authorized Uses of the Asset Forfeiture Fund
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA to pay certain enforcement related costs from sums received as fines, penalties, and forfeitures of property for violations of any marine resource law enforced by the Secretary. Fines, penalties, and forfeitures of property received by NOAA are deposited in an enforcement asset forfeiture fund. The Secretary is proposing a new policy to clearly articulate prohibited and authorized uses of these funds to ensure no conflict of interest- either real or perceived - associated with its use while continuing to promote a sound enforcement program dedicated to conserving and protecting our nation's marine resources. The Secretary requests comments from the public on listed prohibited and authorized uses of the funding and, in particular, expenditures for activities that would promote compliance with regulations promulgated by NOAA.
In order to provide further protection to anyone who has information regarding enforcement improprieties by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement or enforcement attorneys, NOAA will establish another hotline – this one specifically to report unfair or overzealous enforcement actions or other breaches of conduct by NOAA enforcement agents or attorneys. This Enforcement Complaint e-Hotline will be a link on the NOAA homepage that will allow stakeholders to report any issues to NOAA management through a specific email address (OLE.ComplaintHotline@noaa.gov) that will go directly to NOAA Headquarters. Any complaints received will be reviewed at Headquarters and, as necessary, investigated further. This should provide fishermen and other members of the regulated community a mechanism for raising issues about NOAA law enforcement without fear of reprisal. NOAA will evaluate the effectiveness of the Enforcement Complaint Hotline after one year to ensure that it is providing an appropriate outlet for enforcement complaints. If it is not working, NOAA will take additional actions to ensure that if the regulated community has issues with NOAA enforcement, they will be heard.
NOAA Proposed Policy on Prohibited and Authorized Uses of the Asset Forfeiture Fund
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce through NOAA to pay certain enforcement related costs from sums received as fines, penalties, and forfeitures of property for violations of any marine resource law enforced by the Secretary. Fines, penalties, and forfeitures of property received by NOAA are deposited in an enforcement asset forfeiture fund. The Secretary is proposing a new policy to clearly articulate prohibited and authorized uses of these funds to ensure no conflict of interest- either real or perceived - associated with its use while continuing to promote a sound enforcement program dedicated to conserving and protecting our nation's marine resources. The Secretary requests comments from the public on listed prohibited and authorized uses of the funding and, in particular, expenditures for activities that would promote compliance with regulations promulgated by NOAA.
NOAA: Year-to-Date Global Temperature Ties for Warmest on Record
The first nine months of 2010 tied with the same period in 1998 for the warmest combined land and ocean surface temperature on record. The global average land surface temperature for January-September was the second warmest on record, behind 2007. The global ocean surface temperature for January–September was also the second warmest on record, behind 1998.
The article can be found here from the NOAA site.
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20101015_globalstats.html
The article can be found here from the NOAA site.
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20101015_globalstats.html
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Tropical Storm Colin
Tropics Update: August 3, 2010---Page 1
In this update: Tropical Depression #4 upgraded to Tropical Storm Colin in the Atlantic Ocean Forecast tracks and intensity
Latest Information: At 5am EDT Tuesday, Tropical Depression Four in the central Atlantic was designated as Tropical Storm Colin with maximum winds near 40mph.
As of 11am EDT Tuesday, Tropical Storm Colin was located about 840 miles east of the Leeward Islands, which is also more than 2,140 miles southeast of Miami, Florida.
Track Forecast: T.S. Colin has increased again in forward speed, now moving rapidly west around 24mph. A turn back to the west-northwest is expected over the next day or so, but this “wobble” to the west has resulted in a westward shift of the forecast track. Colin is expected to continue moving briskly between 20 and 25mph west-northwest and then more northwest later this week as it is steered on the southwestern side of high pressure in the northeastern Atlantic.
In this update: Tropical Depression #4 upgraded to Tropical Storm Colin in the Atlantic Ocean Forecast tracks and intensity
Latest Information: At 5am EDT Tuesday, Tropical Depression Four in the central Atlantic was designated as Tropical Storm Colin with maximum winds near 40mph.
As of 11am EDT Tuesday, Tropical Storm Colin was located about 840 miles east of the Leeward Islands, which is also more than 2,140 miles southeast of Miami, Florida.
Track Forecast: T.S. Colin has increased again in forward speed, now moving rapidly west around 24mph. A turn back to the west-northwest is expected over the next day or so, but this “wobble” to the west has resulted in a westward shift of the forecast track. Colin is expected to continue moving briskly between 20 and 25mph west-northwest and then more northwest later this week as it is steered on the southwestern side of high pressure in the northeastern Atlantic.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Tropical Storm Bonnie Information from FEMA
FEMA Continues To Monitor Tropical Storm Bonnie, Encourages Americans To Be Prepared
Visit Ready.gov to Learn Simple Steps You and Your Family Should Take
Release Date: July 22, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-139
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This evening, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced that the tropical depression has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Bonnie with sustained winds of 40 mph, to become the second named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to monitor the storm and stands ready to support state, territory and local officials in the region and the Gulf Coast to ensure they have the resources to respond should a storm strike. FEMA also is urging everyone in the region to take steps now to ensure they are prepared for possible severe weather.
The NHC has issued a tropical storm warning for the east coast of Florida from Golden Beach Southward, including the entire Florida Keys and Florida Bay and along the west coast of Florida, northward to Bonita Beach. The NHC has also issued a tropical storm watch for the entire east coast of Florida north of Golden Beach to Jupiter inlet, including Lake Okeechobee. A warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A watch means that the conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
"We continue to monitor the storm and FEMA personnel continue to work closely with state, territory, and local officials to ensure they have the support they need," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "The most important thing for people living in the area to do right now is to ensure their family is prepared and to follow the instructions of local officials. For more information and helpful tips, anyone can visit www.Ready.gov."
FEMA has life-saving and life-sustaining commodities and supplies strategically located across the country to support states in their response. These supplies, including water, meals, tarps, blankets, generators and other essential items, can be replenished through the national logistics supply chain.
In Florida and locations around the Gulf Coast alone, more than one million liters of water, 1.8 million meals, 70,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, 260,000 tarps, 250,000 blankets, 60,000 cots and 300 generators are available for use as needed. FEMA has conducted resource support planning and preparations with all hurricane-prone states and territories for the current hurricane season to ensure a coordinated disaster response, if needed.
The storm's tract is currently moving west-northwestward toward the Gulf of Mexico. FEMA also remains in close contact with our federal partners at the National Hurricane Center and the U.S. Coast Guard. If the tract continues in that direction, the Unified Area Command will make any decisions regarding the movement of assets and workers involved with the BP Deepwater Horizon Operations.
The National Weather Service remains the source of official severe weather watches and warnings, including flash flooding which can take only a few minutes to develop in the case of heavy rains. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and surrounding areas have already been receiving heavy rainfall. FEMA encourages all individuals in the region to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to monitor for severe weather updates, and to follow the directions provided by their local officials.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Visit Ready.gov to Learn Simple Steps You and Your Family Should Take
Release Date: July 22, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-139
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This evening, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced that the tropical depression has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Bonnie with sustained winds of 40 mph, to become the second named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane season. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to monitor the storm and stands ready to support state, territory and local officials in the region and the Gulf Coast to ensure they have the resources to respond should a storm strike. FEMA also is urging everyone in the region to take steps now to ensure they are prepared for possible severe weather.
The NHC has issued a tropical storm warning for the east coast of Florida from Golden Beach Southward, including the entire Florida Keys and Florida Bay and along the west coast of Florida, northward to Bonita Beach. The NHC has also issued a tropical storm watch for the entire east coast of Florida north of Golden Beach to Jupiter inlet, including Lake Okeechobee. A warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A watch means that the conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
"We continue to monitor the storm and FEMA personnel continue to work closely with state, territory, and local officials to ensure they have the support they need," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "The most important thing for people living in the area to do right now is to ensure their family is prepared and to follow the instructions of local officials. For more information and helpful tips, anyone can visit www.Ready.gov."
FEMA has life-saving and life-sustaining commodities and supplies strategically located across the country to support states in their response. These supplies, including water, meals, tarps, blankets, generators and other essential items, can be replenished through the national logistics supply chain.
In Florida and locations around the Gulf Coast alone, more than one million liters of water, 1.8 million meals, 70,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, 260,000 tarps, 250,000 blankets, 60,000 cots and 300 generators are available for use as needed. FEMA has conducted resource support planning and preparations with all hurricane-prone states and territories for the current hurricane season to ensure a coordinated disaster response, if needed.
The storm's tract is currently moving west-northwestward toward the Gulf of Mexico. FEMA also remains in close contact with our federal partners at the National Hurricane Center and the U.S. Coast Guard. If the tract continues in that direction, the Unified Area Command will make any decisions regarding the movement of assets and workers involved with the BP Deepwater Horizon Operations.
The National Weather Service remains the source of official severe weather watches and warnings, including flash flooding which can take only a few minutes to develop in the case of heavy rains. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and surrounding areas have already been receiving heavy rainfall. FEMA encourages all individuals in the region to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and their local news to monitor for severe weather updates, and to follow the directions provided by their local officials.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Mobile App to Help When Applying for Aid
Applying For Disaster Aid On Your Smart Phone
Using Technology to Meet the Needs of Disaster Survivors
Release Date: July 19, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-137Factsheet
For the first time, survivors of a disaster will now be able to apply for federal disaster assistance on their Smartphones, making aid more immediately accessible for people after a disaster hits. This new tool, created at the direction of Administrator Fugate, can be accessed directly at FEMA’s new mobile web site m.fema.gov. Financial assistance for disaster survivors becomes available when a disaster has been declared by the President, to include individual assistance.
On average, roughly 40 percent of disaster applicants complete applications online. More and more, when a disaster strikes, survivors are relying on their Smartphones to stay in touch with friends and family. While computers and other means of applying for assistance may not be accessible for survivors right away, Smartphones can help ensure that survivors have immediate resources and information at their fingertips. Smartphone models that will be able to access the new mobile platform include Blackberries, Apple iPhones, and Windows Mobile.
Watch a video of Administrator Fugate www.youtube.com/fema demonstrating the new feature.
APPLYING FOR AID: A SIMPLE HOW-TO
In order to apply for individual assistance, Smartphone users will need to take the following steps:
1. Go to m.fema.gov and click “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance. ”You will then be taken to our partner site DisasterAssistance.gov.
2. Click on “Start Registration.” A page will prompt you to answer a simple question to prevent against software viruses.
3. You then will fill out the registration form to apply for assistance.
TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Under Administrator Fugate’s leadership, FEMA is using technology in new and innovative ways: (1) to make FEMA’s resources more user-friendly to the American public; (2) to adapt to new trends in how people receive information during a disaster; (3) to educate the public about disaster preparedness; and (4) to meet the needs of disaster survivors and communities during response and recovery efforts:
* In May, FEMA launched its first mobile site, m.fema.gov. The mobile disaster assistance registration form is one of several improvements FEMA will be making to m.fema.gov. Future improvements will allow applicants to check on their status or update an existing application.
* Administrator Fugate launched his own Twitter account:@Craigatfema, adding to FEMA’s already aggressive online presence on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
* FEMA was named one of the top 10 most prolific federal agencies on YouTube and was one of the first federal agencies to have a presence on Facebook.
* FEMA established relationships with leading technology companies including Google, Microsoft, Verizon, Harris, Facebook, TechNet to help enhance FEMA’s online presence and communications tools.
* In addition to m.fema.gov, FEMA has a FEMA En Espanola web site, the addition of disaster information data feeds to the FEMA.gov web site and a joint State of Tennessee-FEMA Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/TNDisasterInfo) designed to be a hub for community information.
* Under Administrator Fugate’s leadership, FEMA has increased efforts to provide accessible information to our constituents with disabilities, including captioning for stakeholder and constituent teleconferences and providing accessible materials for constituent webcasts.
* Administrator Fugate continues to participate in roundtables and forums that explore how the emerging role of technology in emergency management.
Last Modified: Monday, 19-Jul-2010 10:03:16
Using Technology to Meet the Needs of Disaster Survivors
Release Date: July 19, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-137Factsheet
For the first time, survivors of a disaster will now be able to apply for federal disaster assistance on their Smartphones, making aid more immediately accessible for people after a disaster hits. This new tool, created at the direction of Administrator Fugate, can be accessed directly at FEMA’s new mobile web site m.fema.gov. Financial assistance for disaster survivors becomes available when a disaster has been declared by the President, to include individual assistance.
On average, roughly 40 percent of disaster applicants complete applications online. More and more, when a disaster strikes, survivors are relying on their Smartphones to stay in touch with friends and family. While computers and other means of applying for assistance may not be accessible for survivors right away, Smartphones can help ensure that survivors have immediate resources and information at their fingertips. Smartphone models that will be able to access the new mobile platform include Blackberries, Apple iPhones, and Windows Mobile.
Watch a video of Administrator Fugate www.youtube.com/fema demonstrating the new feature.
APPLYING FOR AID: A SIMPLE HOW-TO
In order to apply for individual assistance, Smartphone users will need to take the following steps:
1. Go to m.fema.gov and click “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance. ”You will then be taken to our partner site DisasterAssistance.gov.
2. Click on “Start Registration.” A page will prompt you to answer a simple question to prevent against software viruses.
3. You then will fill out the registration form to apply for assistance.
TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Under Administrator Fugate’s leadership, FEMA is using technology in new and innovative ways: (1) to make FEMA’s resources more user-friendly to the American public; (2) to adapt to new trends in how people receive information during a disaster; (3) to educate the public about disaster preparedness; and (4) to meet the needs of disaster survivors and communities during response and recovery efforts:
* In May, FEMA launched its first mobile site, m.fema.gov. The mobile disaster assistance registration form is one of several improvements FEMA will be making to m.fema.gov. Future improvements will allow applicants to check on their status or update an existing application.
* Administrator Fugate launched his own Twitter account:@Craigatfema, adding to FEMA’s already aggressive online presence on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
* FEMA was named one of the top 10 most prolific federal agencies on YouTube and was one of the first federal agencies to have a presence on Facebook.
* FEMA established relationships with leading technology companies including Google, Microsoft, Verizon, Harris, Facebook, TechNet to help enhance FEMA’s online presence and communications tools.
* In addition to m.fema.gov, FEMA has a FEMA En Espanola web site, the addition of disaster information data feeds to the FEMA.gov web site and a joint State of Tennessee-FEMA Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/TNDisasterInfo) designed to be a hub for community information.
* Under Administrator Fugate’s leadership, FEMA has increased efforts to provide accessible information to our constituents with disabilities, including captioning for stakeholder and constituent teleconferences and providing accessible materials for constituent webcasts.
* Administrator Fugate continues to participate in roundtables and forums that explore how the emerging role of technology in emergency management.
Last Modified: Monday, 19-Jul-2010 10:03:16
Monday, July 12, 2010
Tip
Prepare for hurricane season. Take steps to prevent possible damage when the storm hits by ensuring that your trees and shrubs are well-trimmed.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Tip from CDC
Identify ahead of time where you and your family will go if you have to evacuate. Make sure that you have local and regional maps in your car if you have to travel unfamiliar roads.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Florida Travel Update
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Update
Updated June 15, 2010 10:45 a.m.
Dime to five inch-sized tar balls continue to be found in widely scattered areas of Northwest Florida, and cleanup teams remain on scene. There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill-related oil products reaching the shore beyond the Northwest Florida region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.
Escambia County Health Department issued a health advisory for the area extending from the Florida-Alabama line to the entrance of the Perdido Unit, Gulf Islands National Seashore. See map below for full details.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued a partial fishing closure in Escambia County (view map); the rest of Florida's recreational and commercial fisheries have not been directly affected by the oil spill. There are closed areas offshore in federal waters where oil has been spotted. Fishing continues to be open in the vast majority of Gulf of Mexico waters, and all related saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect.
At this time, there are no beach closures and the majority of Florida's state waters remain open to recreational fishing. Florida's 825 miles of beaches, 1,260 miles of coastline and 14 seaports, including cruise ships, remain open for business.
VISIT FLORIDA believes that planning your Sunshine State vacation should be the beginning of a great experience. If you’re concerned about any potential impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we encourage you to check with local destinations in order to get the most up-to-date information. To make it easy, we’re providing you links below.
www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/
For official trajectory and forecast information, visit NOAA's site.
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Update
Updated June 15, 2010 10:45 a.m.
Dime to five inch-sized tar balls continue to be found in widely scattered areas of Northwest Florida, and cleanup teams remain on scene. There have been no reports of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill-related oil products reaching the shore beyond the Northwest Florida region. There is no indication that the rest of the state will have impacts from weathered oil products within the next 72 hours.
Escambia County Health Department issued a health advisory for the area extending from the Florida-Alabama line to the entrance of the Perdido Unit, Gulf Islands National Seashore. See map below for full details.
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission has issued a partial fishing closure in Escambia County (view map); the rest of Florida's recreational and commercial fisheries have not been directly affected by the oil spill. There are closed areas offshore in federal waters where oil has been spotted. Fishing continues to be open in the vast majority of Gulf of Mexico waters, and all related saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect.
At this time, there are no beach closures and the majority of Florida's state waters remain open to recreational fishing. Florida's 825 miles of beaches, 1,260 miles of coastline and 14 seaports, including cruise ships, remain open for business.
VISIT FLORIDA believes that planning your Sunshine State vacation should be the beginning of a great experience. If you’re concerned about any potential impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, we encourage you to check with local destinations in order to get the most up-to-date information. To make it easy, we’re providing you links below.
www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/
For official trajectory and forecast information, visit NOAA's site.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Hurricane Tip
Tip: Prepare for hurricane season. Inventory your emergency kit to ensure that items are not missing, expired or need to be added.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Happy First Day of Hurricane Season 2010, Latest from NOAA
NOAA Expects Busy Atlantic Hurricane Season
May 27, 2010
An “active to extremely active” hurricane season is expected for the Atlantic Basin this year according to the seasonal outlook issued today by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. As with every hurricane season, this outlook underscores the importance of having a hurricane preparedness plan in place.
Hurricane Ike, 2008.Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is projecting a 70 percent probability of the following ranges:
- 14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:
- 8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:
- 3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)
The outlook ranges exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. Expected factors supporting this outlook are:
- Upper atmospheric winds conducive for storms. Wind shear, which can tear apart storms, will be weaker since El Niño in the eastern Pacific has dissipated. Strong wind shear helped suppress storm development during the 2009 hurricane season.
- Warm Atlantic Ocean water. Sea surface temperatures are expected to remain above average where storms often develop and move across the Atlantic. Record warm temperatures – up to four degrees Fahrenheit above average – are now present in this region.
- High activity era continues. Since 1995, the tropical multi-decadal signal has brought favorable ocean and atmospheric conditions in sync, leading to more active hurricane seasons. Eight of the last 15 seasons rank in the top ten for the most named storms with 2005 in first place with 28 named storms.
Hurricane Noel, 2007."FEMA is working across the administration and with our state and local partners to ensure we're prepared for hurricane season," said FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "But we can only be as prepared as the public, so it's important that families and businesses in coastal communities take steps now to be ready. These include developing a communications plan, putting together a kit, and staying informed of the latest forecasts and local emergency plans. You can't control when a hurricane or other emergency may happen, but you can make sure you're ready."
The president recently designated May 23-29, 2010, as National Hurricane Preparedness Week. NOAA and FEMA encourage those living in hurricane-prone states to use this time to review their overall preparedness. More information on individual and family preparedness can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.hurricanes.gov/prepare.
NOAA scientists will continue to monitor evolving conditions in the tropics and will issue an updated hurricane outlook in early August, just prior to what is historically the peak period for hurricane activity.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources.
Monday, May 3, 2010
"Weather" You Go or Stay ...PREPARE TODAY
Hurricane Expo 2010, sponsored by the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management
S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 15
NEW PORT RICHEY RECREATION CENTER
6630 Van Buren Street, New Port Richey
(between Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street)
Free Parking and Free Admission
Featuring Steve Jerve, Chief Meteorologist
News Channel 8 Presenting at:
12 NOON
S A T U R D A Y, M A Y 15
NEW PORT RICHEY RECREATION CENTER
6630 Van Buren Street, New Port Richey
(between Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street)
Free Parking and Free Admission
Featuring Steve Jerve, Chief Meteorologist
News Channel 8 Presenting at:
12 NOON
National Hurricane Center makes changes for the 2010 season
The National Hurricane Center is changing information on it's site as well as the reporting format of changes in it's text and products. For a summary of the changes please click here
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nhc_new_2010.pdf
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nhc_new_2010.pdf
NOAA Closes Commercial and Recreational Fishing in Oil-Affected Portion of Gulf of Mexico
May 2, 2010
NOAA is restricting fishing for a minimum of ten days in federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay (map attached). The closure is effective immediately. Details can be found here: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/. Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call 800-440-0858.“NOAA scientists are on the ground in the area of the oil spill taking water and seafood samples in an effort to ensure the safety of the seafood and fishing activities,” said Dr. Jane Lubchenco, NOAA Administrator, who met with more than 100 fishermen in Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish on Friday night. “I heard the concerns of the Plaquemines Parish fishermen as well other fishermen and state fishery managers about potential economic impacts of a closure. Balancing economic and health concerns, this order closes just those areas that are affected by oil. There should be no health risk in seafood currently in the marketplace.”
“We stand with America's fisherman, their families and businesses in impacted coastal communities during this very challenging time. Fishing is vital to our economy and our quality of life and we will work tirelessly to protect it," said Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. NOAA is a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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