PANAMA CITY — Watches and warnings, tropical storms and hurricanes — the terminology is enough to make a Florida transplant’s head spin, but it’s important to know as the violent weather season kicks off this weekend.
With the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season beginning today and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration prediction of 13 to 20 named storms, natives and transplants alike should develop their preparedness plans and strap in for what could be a windy ride.
Getting familiar with hurricane season terms is one way to prepare — and it could prove vital if a storm approaches. For instance, coastal residents need to know the difference between a watch, which means “weather conditions are favorable for a hazard to occur,” and a warning, which “requires immediate action.”
Watches are announced 48 hours before tropical storm or hurricane-force winds are anticipated for a specified area, and warning are announced 36 hours before the winds are anticipated.
The advanced time gives Bay County residents a chance to clear out, if necessary, when a major storm approaches.
“On a typical — let’s just say September day — worst-case scenario, we’re looking at about a 20-hour [evacuation] time,” said Mark Bowen, director of Bay County Emergency Services.
But evacuation decisions must be made in a timely fashion and the county must catch the news cycle to ensure residents are aware of the approaching storm, Bowen said.
“(That) can add another layer of time to it that has nothing to do with the storm; it has to do with making sure that we’re not putting this information out at a time that nobody’s going to hear it,” he said.
Tropical storms have sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. If a tropical storm watch is issued for an area, those wind speeds are “possible” in the next 48 hours. If a tropical storm warning is issued for an area, those wind speeds are “expected” in the next 36 hours.
Bowen said tropical storms are not a time for evacuations and usually the county will open only “special needs” and “general population” shelters. But, he said, such a storm can dump tons of rain on the county, even more than a hurricane.
Hurricanes have wind speeds of more than 74 mph. If a hurricane watch is issued for an area, those wind speeds are “possible” in the next 48 hours. If a hurricane warning is issued, those wind speeds are “expected” in the next 36 hours.
Bowen said though the county must act with some alacrity, it tries to wait as long as possible to make a decision because often the “cone of uncertainty” — the potential path of a storm — can be 200 to 300 miles wide, which could mean the area won’t be impacted at all.
“Unfortunately all those areas have to prepare for the worst and sometime that means evacuations,” he said, adding, “The beauty of Bay County and most of these coastal counties is everybody pretty much knows the drill unless they only recently moved here.”
Hurricanes are ranked from 1 to 5 on the Saffir-Simpson wind scale; the strongest storms, Category 5 storms, have wind speeds exceeding 155 mph. A Category 4 hurricane has wind speeds between 131 and 155 mph, and Category 3 storms pack winds of 111 to 129 mph. Storms are considered “major” hurricanes if they’re at least a Category 3, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The county generally imposes a mandatory evacuation for category 4 and 5 storms for coastal areas that will be affected by storm surge.
“If we’re going to be inundated in certain areas with water, we got to get people moved out of those areas,” Bowen said.
Residents aren’t forcibly removed, however, even if it’s a mandatory evacuation, Bowen said. Law enforcement does, however, go house to house and let residents know about the evacuation order.
Bowen said residents could be forcibly removed after a storm because of the dangers posed from the destructive weather event.
“Law enforcement has to be concerned with looting, and we’re worried about people being electrocuted and things like that, he said.
Coming Sunday: The danger from storm surge