2
nd
Annual
FDOT District Two
Traffic Incident Management Team
HURRICANE
PREPAREDNESS
NEWSLETTER
CCTV camera image of Tropical Storm Colin as it was moving through
the Jacksonville area on June 6, 2016
IN THIS
ISSUE
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER’S PERSPECTIVE [PG. 2] NAME THAT HURRICANE [PG. 5]
FDOT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PERSPECTIVE [PG. 2] 2016 GOVERNORS HURRICANE CONFERENCE [PG. 7]
TROPICAL STORM COLIN [PG. 4] WHAT’S IN THE NEWS [PG. 7]
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE [PG. 4] D2 COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS LINKS [PG. 7]
HURRICANE PREP QUICK TIPS [PG. 5] ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES [PG. 8]
The Traffic Management Center’s Perspective
It only takes 1. That is
the old adage regarding
whether it is a quiet or
crazy Hurricane Season.
It doesn’t matter what
NOAA or NHC predict, it
just takes one Tropical
Storm or Hurricane to
make landfall where
you live to make it a bad
season. Every year, as
June 1st approaches, we
take time to look at our
plans and procedures we
have in place, and like
every agency does, we
work through our own
TMC Preparedness Plan.
This is also the time for
individuals to reveiw their own personal Hurricane Preparedness Plan.
You never know if there will be a Hurricane like Alex in January or if we’ll
be targeted by a Tropical
Storm such as Colin.
Having a plan in place and
being prepared can save
you (and/or your agency)
time, money, heartache
and in some cases, your
life.
Hurricane Preparedness
is important not only
for the Transportation
Management Center (TMC), but having a plan at home is equally
important. Your family’s safety is assured by having a proper plan in place
at home you can meet your professional requirements. In the TMC, there
are 3 keys to our preparedness. First, figuring out who can work, which
involves checking Operator availability, how to get in touch with everyone
and updating emergency contact information. Once we have figured out
who will be able to work, we go through our Emergency Preparedness
Plan and make updates on an as needed basis. This plans covers pre-,
post- and during storm activities, as well as covers what should be done
leading up to landfall 3, 2 and 1 day(s) out. Finally, making sure the TMC
can handle staff that might be stuck in the facility for 3 days. Checking
food, water, flashlights, mattresses and more
plays an important role in being ready. We try
to be ready for everything, and in the case
of an emergency, annually reviewing these
policies and procedures are critical to our
success. For more information on forming a
plan for your home make sure you visit Florida
Disaster at www.floridadisaster.org.
Don’t be caught off guard when a hurricane
or tropical storm comes to our District. Have a
plan in place at work and at home is essential.
Benjamin Franklin said “By failing to prepare,
you are preparing to fail.” Get a plan. This
is the time of year to remember the phase
“know before you go, use 511”. So GET A PLAN
and USE 511 this Hurricane Season!
FDOT Emergency Operations
Perspective
The 2016 Hurricane Season began on June 1st.
As I am preparing this article, we have already
had four named storms. The first named storm
was Alex, which formed in January. Some are
arguing that this storm was actually the last
storm of 2015 season, but it is officially listed
as a 2016 storm. We saw Bonnie form the last
week of May and dissipate the first week of
June. Then Colin came along and visited us
on June 5, 6 & 7. Danielle became a Tropical
Storm on June 20th, and it moved from the
Yucatan Peninsula west over Mexico. This is
the earliest we have had four named storms
since the beginning of hurricane record
keeping.
The past few years, we have experienced
the effects of El Nino. During times of El
Nino, features that enhance the formation of
hurricanes get diminished. The Atlantic Ocean
and Caribbean Sea water temperatures are
cooler during El Nino. Hurricanes need and
FDOT District Two Traffic Incident Management Team - Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter 2
like very warm water. The cooler the water, the less likely
it is for hurricanes to form. Also, El Nino generates wind
shear. For hurricanes that form, the wind shear usually
tears them apart. If the wind shear doesn’t destroy the
hurricane, it tends to recurve, or push the storm back out
in the Atlantic Ocean. This is why we have seen so little
hurricane activity and basically no landfalls in several years.
Now, we are experiencing an El Nino decline and a La Nina
increase. La Nina has the opposite effect of El Nino. During
the La Nina periods, the water temperature in the Atlantic
and Caribbean gets warmer, the winds that cause the wind
shear disappear and the recurve affect disappears with
it. Therefore, during times of La Nina, we have a greater
chance of hurricane formation and landfalls.
This year, 2016, marks the end of a hurricane icon. Dr.
William “Bill”
Gray
was
the guru of
hurricane
forecasting, and
sadly, he died
on April 16th.
Dr. Gray began
his
hurricane
forecasting
career
in
1961
when
he was hired
by
Colorado
(Photo copied from Colorado State University website) State University
to work in the Atmospheric Science Department. Even
though Dr. Gray retired in 2005, he continued to work
and kept producing hurricane forecasts each year. Phil
Klotzbach was one of Dr. Gray’s last student’s he instructed
at the University. Now, Dr. Klotzbach has taken over the
forecasting arena, and will carry on the legacy of Dr. Gray.
The 2016 Hurricane Season forecast released by Dr.
Klotzbach on June 1st includes: 12 Named Storms, 5
Hurricanes and 2 Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or greater).
Lately, the National Hurricane Center and the National
Weather Service have gotten away from predicting a
certain numbers of storms. Instead, they are using a range
of numbers for their predictions. Whatever method being
used; all the sources are saying this should be an average
year for hurricanes. Everyone agrees, no matter what the
predictions are, no matter how many hurricanes there end
up being, it only takes one to ruin your day. There can be
20 named storms this year, and if none of them impact
us, we will have an easy year. But, if one of those storms
hits us, we will have a bad year. So, don’t get caught up in
the numbers; and just stay prepared, and be ready to
respond as needed.
This year’s Governor’s Hurricane Conference was
another success. The first three days of the conference
are always training classes, followed by the opening
general session and 11/2 days of workshops and vendor
exhibit hall displays. This year’s theme was “Reboot
Readiness.” It was a fitting theme since we have not had
a hurricane landfall in Florida since 2005. With all of
our tools of technology, sometimes the only fix is to just
reboot the thing. The longer the time span between
hurricane landfalls, the more we tend to get amnesia
about the preparation, response and recovery. We
need to reboot our minds and restart our programming
from time-to-time. This years conference was the final
Conference to be held in Orlando. For the next three
years, it will be held in West Palm Beach.
Being that we are already over a month into Hurricane
Season, it may be time for us all to reboot our thinking on
readiness. Check your personal emergency plan. Make
sure your plan includes things such as checking your
insurance policies and checking alternate evacuation
routes out of your neighborhood (in case a large tree
falls across your normal means of exit). Check to be
sure you can communicate with the outside world in
case the cell towers are down and the electricity is out.
Most people don’t realize that the portable telephones
in their home won’t work when the electricity is out.
If you still have a landline telephone, you may want
to consider purchasing an inexpensive desk type
phone that doesn’t require electricity to work. Also,
make sure your plan includes your pets. If you don’t
have a personal emergency plan, now is the time to
develop one. Don’t wait until the storm is approaching
to develop your plan, and don’t wait to start putting
together your emergency supplies kit either. It is much
easier to develop the plan and gather your emergency
supplies before the storm arrives.
Hopefully, we will have an uneventful 2016 Hurricane
Season. Let’s prepare for the worst and always hope for
the best. We can’t control the weather, but we can be
prepared to deal with the effects. Until next time, stay
prepared and stay safe.
Content provided by: Ed Ward CEM, FPEM – FDOT
District Two Emergency Coordination Officer.
FDOT District Two Traffic Incident Management Team - Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter 3
Tropical Storm Colin
Jacksonville had to deal with the effects of Tropical Storm Colin on June 5th, 6th and 7th. Colin caused flooding issues
and spawned tornadoes. One of these tornadoes caused residential damage as it carved a path north up through
I-10 near Chaffee Road. The TMC was in constant contact with the various Asset Management (AM) Contractors (42
events requiring coordination) coordinating debris, flooding, crashes and damage to the roadway facility. A Portable
Changeable Message Sign also blew over onto the barrier wall approaching the I-95 Overland Project. The tornado
opened the roof of a home like a can of soup and snapped trees about 20 feet along the south side of I-10 near our
DMS. Having a plan in place ensured the TMC was ready if DMS damage occurred. The pictures below from a nearby
CCTV camera (left screen shot) shows the initial damage, and also what the area looked like after the area had been
cleaned up by Maintenance Crews (right screen shot).
What is the Saffir-Simpson Scale - Content Provided by the National Hurricane Center
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE is a 1 to 5 categorization based on the hurricane’s intensity (sustained
wind speed) at the indicated time. The scale was originally developed in 1971 by wind engineer Herb Saffir and
meteorologist Bob Simpson (who was the director of the National Hurricane Center at the time.) The scale became
known to the public in 1973.
This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major
hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous,
and require preventative measures.
FDOT District Two Traffic Incident Management Team - Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter 4
Category
1
Sustained-Winds
74-95 mph
64-82 kt
119-153 km/h
2
96-110 mph
83-95 kt
154-177 km/h
3
(major)
111-129 mph
96-112 kt
178-208 km/h
4
(major)
130-156 mph
113-136 kt
209-251 km/h
5
(major)
Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes
could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of
trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to
power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to
several days.
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed
frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted
trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power
loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major
damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or
uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for
several days to weeks after the storm passes.
Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe
damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most
trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and
power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly
months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
157 mph or higher Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be
137 kt or higher
destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles
252 km/h or higher will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months.
Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Hurricane Preparedness Quick Tips
•Plan ahead! Select your evacuation route in
advance.
•If you are in the projected path of a hurricane,
listen to evacuation advice or orders from
emergency officials and do not delay your
departure.
•Monitor local TV and radio stations for updated
emergency and traffic information.
app to get real-time traffic information, but not while you are
driving.
•NEVER drive through standing or moving water.
•Watch out for downed power lines and if you encounter
them do not get out of your car.
Name that Hurricane - Content Provided by The
National Hurricane Center
•As part of your hurricane evacuation plan,
assemble a disaster supplies kit.
•If evacuating, pack your medicine, bring extra
cash, medical insurance card, food and water,
etc.
•Don’t forget your pets. Inquire in advance
which hotels and shelters allow pets and
remember to pack their food and necessities.
•Make sure your vehicle is fully fueled and
serviced.
•Remember to call 511 or use the Florida 511
FDOT District Two Traffic Incident Management Team - Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter 5
Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms had been named from lists originated
by the National Hurricane Center. They are now maintained and updated
through a strict procedure by an international committee of the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO).
The six lists below are used in rotation and re-cycled every six years, i.e.,
the 2016 list will be used again in 2022.
2016
Alex
Bonnie
Colin
Danielle
Earl
Fiona
Gaston
Hermine
Ian
Julia
Karl
Lisa
Matthew
Nicole
Otto
Paula
Richard
Shary
Tobias
Virginie
Walter
2017
Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irma
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
2018
Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Florence
Gordon
Helene
Isaac
Joyce
Kirk
Leslie
Michael
Nadine
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sara
Tony
Valerie
William
2019
2020
2021
Andrea
Arthur
Ana
Barry
Bertha
Bill
Chantal
Cristobal Claudette
Dorian
Dolly
Danny
Erin
Edouard
Erika
Fernand
Fay
Fred
Gabrielle Gonzalo
Grace
Humberto
Hanna
Henri
Imelda
Isaias
Ida
Jerry
Josephine Joaquin
Karen
Kyle
Kate
Lorenzo
Laura
Larry
Melissa
Marco
Mindy
Nestor
Nana
Nicholas
Olga
Omar
Odette
Pablo
Paulette
Peter
Rebekah
Rene
Rose
Sebastien
Sally
Sam
Tanya
Teddy
Teresa
Van
Vicky
Victor
Wendy
Wilfred
Wanda
The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly
or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be
inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual
meeting by the WMO committee, the offending name is stricken from the
list and another name is selected to replace it. Several names have been
retired since the lists were created.
Retired names of hurricanes affecting Florida include:
•Donna-Category 4 (late August-1960) made landfall in the Florida
Keys before crossing the peninsula September 11
•Agnes-Category 1 (June-1972) produced devastating flooding across
the Southeast U.S. and caused nine deaths in Florida mainly from
thunderstorms
•Andrew-Category 4 (August-1992) made landfall in Homestead and
produced a 17-foot storm surge
•Opal-Category 4 (September-1995)
was a Category 3 when it made
landfall near Pensacola but a
combination of storm surge and
breaking waves devastated the
beaches
•Mitch-Category 5 (October-1998)
hit Honduras and was downgraded
to a tropical storm when it hit
South Florida causing two deaths
and $40 million in damages in
Florida
•Charley-Category 4 (August-2004)
came ashore north of Captiva
Island, crossed Central Florida
and is tagged the second costliest
hurricane in U.S. history with $15
billion in damages
•Frances-Category 4 (August-2004)
was a Category 2 when it made
landfall in Stuart and spawned over
100 tornadoes across the Southeast
•Ivan-Category 5 (September
2004) came ashore in Gulf Shores,
Alabama but circled around
through North Carolina and South
Florida before dissipating in
Louisiana
•Jeanne-Category 3 (September
2004) came ashore in Stuart
where Frances made landfall three
weeks earlier and blew across the
peninsula
•Dennis-Category 4 (July-2005) was
a Category 3 when it hit Navarre
Beach in the Panhandle
•Katrina-Category 5 (August 2005)
made landfall near the MiamiDade/Broward County line as
a Category 1, crossed southern
Florida swept into the Gulf where
it became a Category 5 when
it devastated coastal Alabama,
Louisiana and Mississippi. Katrina
caused seven deaths in southern
Florida and is the costliest
hurricane to date in the U.S.
FDOT District Two Traffic Incident Management Team - Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter 6
•Wilma-Category 4 (October-2005) was a Category 2
when it came ashore at Cape Romano, swept across
South Florida and out into the Atlantic near Palm
Beach. Wilma is blamed for five deaths and $16.8
billion in damages in southern Florida
The 2016 Governor’s Hurricane Conference
Check out what happened at the conference by going to
the following link: http://flghc.org/
What’s in the News
Dixie County
http://www.dixieemergency.com/
Duval County
http://www.coj.net/departments/fire-and-rescue/
emergency-preparedness.aspx
Gilchrist County
http://www.gilchristemergency.com/
Hamilton County
http://www.hamcoem.com/
Lafayette County
Check out this link for a recent article from Florida regarding
Hurricane Preparedness:
http://www.lafayetteso.org/emergency-management.
html
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/hurricanepreparedness-gets-high-tech-in-fort-myers-florida/
Levy County
District Two - County Emergency Operations
Websites
Madison County
You can go to the links below to get your local County
Emergency Operations information:
Nassau County
Alachua County
Putnam County
http://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/PublicSafety/em/
Pages/EmergencyManagement.aspx
http://des.putnam-fl.com/index.php/emergencymanagement-1
Baker County
St. Johns County
http://www.bakerso.com/My-Baker_County_Sheriffs_
Office/EOC.html
http://www.sjcemergencymanagement.org/
Bradford County
http://www.bradford-co-fla.org/Emergency%20Man/
EMindex.html
Clay County
http://www.claycountygov.com/departments/emergencymanagement
Columbia County
http://www.levycounty.org/cd_
emergencymanagement.aspx
http://www.madisoncountyfl.com/
emergencymanagement/
http://www.nassaucountyfl.com/index.aspx?NID=370
Suwanee County
http://suwcounty.org/county/index.php/2012-11-2308-17-17/emergency-management
Taylor County
http://taylorcountyem.com/
Union County
http://www.unionsheriff.us/
http://www.columbiacountyem.com/
FDOT District Two Traffic Incident Management Team - Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter 7
Additional Informational Links
For more information on Hurricane Preparedness and the Central Florida Hurricane Center
status of any tropical storms and/or hurricanes, please visit
http://flhurricane.com/
the following links:
Hurricane Preparedness
Florida Emergency Preparedness Association
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php
http://www.fepa.org/
Climate Prediction Center
Governor’s Hurricane Conference Social Media:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FloridaGHC/
National Hurricane Center
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FloridaGHC
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center Social Media for
the Atlantic:
Florida Division of Emergency Management
http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
Tips on how you can better prepare for hurricane season:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSNHC?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic
http://www.ready.gov/
FDOT District Two Traffic Incident Management Team - Hurricane Preparedness Newsletter 8