Hurricane Preparedness, Before the Storm (Credit: National Hurricane Center Miami & Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)

Image Courtesy: NOAA

Discussion: With the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami issuing advisories ahead of Hurricane Hector, a category 2 hurricane in the Eastern Pacific, Hector is expected to move into the Central Pacific Hurricane Centers’ (CPHC) authority shortly.
 
The forecast advisory issued at 0300 UTC Friday August 3rd, 2018 by the NHC indicates that the hurricane center is located near 14.1N 126.9W with westward propagation at 11 knots (kt). It is approximately 1900 miles east-southeast of Hilo, and about 2095 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. Estimated minimum central pressure is 973 millibars (mb), with maximum sustained winds at 95kt with gusts to 115kt. Hector is expected to continue westward propagation over the next several days, especially with a ridge to the north helping to drive the hurricane towards the Central Pacific. Little change is expected after Hector’s recent rapid intensification due to the intrusion of some dry air, shear and the shift towards cooler ocean waters. GOES Visible also indicating a lack of clear eye identification at 0430 UTC (NHC Miami).
 
The National Weather Service has offered information regarding hurricane preparation:
 

• Know your zone: Do you live near the Gulf or Atlantic Coasts? Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government/emergency management office or by checking the evacuation site website.
• Put Together an Emergency Kit: Put together a basic emergency. Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters.
• Write or review your Family Emergency Plan: Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Start at the Ready.Gov emergency plan webpage.
• Review Your Insurance Policies: Review your insurance policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property.
• Understand NWS forecast products, especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.

 
Stay up to date with additional forecast and preparedness information at the Global Weather and Climate Center!
 
© 2018 Meteorologist Jessica Olsen
 

 
Referenced:
Beven. “National Hurricane Center.” NHC, 1 Jan. 2001, www.nhc.noaa.gov/?epac#Hector.

US Department of Commerce, and NOAA. “What to Do Before the Tropical Storm or Hurricane.” National Weather Service, NOAA's National Weather Service, 1 June 2018, www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan.