Irma’s Data – Education from Devastation (Credit: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)

Image Courtesy: NWS NHC

DISCUSSION: This seasons hurricane activity has surely put much burden on residents and city officials as both attempt to find safety through what is seemingly an endless hurricane season. In the northern hemisphere, the Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1st and will end on November 30th, while the Eastern Pacific began May 15th with the Central Pacific began June 1st both with end dates of November 30th.
 
The first system of the Atlantic season formed April 19th, 2017 with Tropical Storm Arlene. While remaining relatively quiet with several systems names from June to August, the warmer sea temperatures are proving lucrative to development of latent heat with a 1-2-3-4 development of Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Katia. Although 2017 is nearly halfway through its hurricane season there has been a vast amount of information that will help improve many of the unfavorable developments associated with tropical cyclones.
 

• Building/Rebuilding – With Irma’s lifecycle having included being a Category 5 with winds in excess of 185 miles per hour we can now prepare for new homes and rebuilding of these homes with newer construction to withstand the taxing conditions of wind and storm surge
• Model Input Data – It is never desirable to experience a tropical cyclone but the frequency of such provided much needed data which aid in model improvements, that include model track data. In nearly 25 years this process has decreased in error threefold (Main 2017)
• Wind Tunnels – Wind tunnels have been around for decades and have been used in a variety of applications such as construction of bicycle frames, airfoil capability, engine performance and even building construction. Using this technology and increasing thresholds can help improve materials needed for construction that can sustain 185+mph winds
• Infrastructure – Some of the most demanding use of infrastructure comes from a tropical cyclone. Roads and bridges were put to a test during Irma, as nearly 6 million ordered to evacuate under Governor Rick Scott. Locations like the Florida Keys are tested through their famous highway 1, although clogged at portions many of the bridges were able to withstand the hit from Irma’s eyewall, a feat construction ingenuity was put through
• Preparedness – This goes without saying that viewing the various price gouging of gasoline and water, that many Floridians were not prepared to deal with days without water or electricity. Irma has now put the burden upon people to proactively prepare a hurricane kit, develop safety plans, determine evacuation zones, and pet planning which include determining what shelters/hotels/airlines will allow your pet
• Insurance – Many do not have adequate insurance, if you are the lucky that remained relatively unscathed this is a great time to review all of your policies in the event that a disaster does occur
• Fake news – With the accessibility to nearly every possible thing on the internet from groceries, and furniture to news and forecasts there is to be some degree of those who are instilling the panic through fake news, this is the time to do your research and use reputable resources that can provide accurate information in a timely manner

 
It has been a trying season for the United States and its surrounding Caribbean friends. Although devastation is prevalent, each one of these tropical cyclones and natural disasters can be utilized as a learning tool for improvement.
 
For more information on Irma and tropical cyclones visit the Global Weather and Climate Center.
 
©2017 Meteorologist Jessica Olsen
 
 



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Resources:
 
Ellis, Ralph. “Florida Gov. Rick Scott tells residents: 'You need to go right now'.” CNN, Cable News Network, 9 Sept. 2017, www.cnn.com/2017/09/08/us/hurricane-irma-evacuation-florida/index.html. Accessed 13 Sept. 2017.
 
 
Main, Douglas. “How Hurricane Forecasts Have Improved.” LiveScience, 5 Sept. 2014, www.livescience.com/21850-hurricane-forecast-improvements.html. Accessed 13 Sept. 2017.