Thunderstorm

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  Thunderstorm, a violent short-lived weather disturbance that is almost always associated with lightning, thunder, dense clouds, heavy rain or hail, and strong gusty winds. Thunderstorms arise when layers of warm, moist air rise in a large, swift updraft to cooler regions of the atmosphere. There the moisture contained in the updraft condenses to form towering cumulonimbus clouds and, eventually, precipitation.  Columns of cooled air then sink earthward, striking the ground with strong downdrafts and horizontal winds. At the same time, electrical charges accumulate on cloud particles (water droplets and ice).  Lightning discharges occur when the accumulated electric charge becomes sufficiently large. Lightning heats the air it passes through so intensely and quickly that shock waves are produced; these shock waves are heard as claps and rolls of thunder. On occasion, severe thunderstorms are accompanied by swirling vortices of air that become concentrated and powerful en...
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Tsunamis

Tsunamis are the stuff of nightmares! While they don’t occur very often, when they do THEY can be devastating and deadly...

Imagine this: you are sitting on a beautiful beach enjoying a lovely day, when out of the blue an alarm blasts from your phone and reads “Tsunami warning.” Do you know where you would go and what to do?


       














A tsunami is a series of long period ocean waves that can cause severe flooding and unusually strong currents created by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean, most often caused by an earthquake.

What are the natural signs of an approaching tsunami? Depending on where you are located and the source of the tsunami, the following are natural signs that could indicate an approaching tsunami:

  1. A long earthquake lasting 20-seconds or more. 

  2. A very strong earthquake that knocks you off your feet.

  3. A rapid, unusual rise or fall in the water level. 

  4. A loud roar from the ocean


What do I do when an alarm sounds or I see signs of a possible tsunami?

If you are in a hazard zone and you feel a long, strong earthquake (one that lasts for 20 seconds or more) and/or receive a tsunami warning, it is important to:

  1. Remain Calm.

  2. If there is an earthquake, drop, cover, and hold on during the earthquake.

  3. Quickly walk or run to higher ground (100’ above sea level) or inland (1 mile) outside of the Tsunami Hazard Zone.

  4. If you are not able to move that distance, move to the fourth floor or higher in a sturdy building.

  5. Once you are in a secure place, do not return to the coastal zone until after you get an all clear message from authorities. Tsunami waves can continue for hours. The first wave may not be the largest.

How do I prepare for a tsunami?

Many people live, work, or go to school in a tsunami hazard zone. If you do, it is important to identify where your closest safezone is and plan out the quickest, walkable route there.

Learn from survivors

Because tsunamis don’t happen frequently, it is important to keep the stories of survivors and the history of tsunami events alive. This reminds us of the very real impact tsunamis can have on ordinary lives. Take action and get prepared! 

                         

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