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The science behind hurricanes
Have you ever boarded an airplane and suddenly it shakes so much that you can't let go of the armrest? This is how it starts Atmospheric Turbulencethe new Canal Meteo podcast hosted by meteorologist and geographer Albert MartinezThe program, which invites us to discover the best kept secrets of meteorology, with a special focus on hurricanes.
Important points
In this fourth episode we explore the science behind hurricanes with:
- Eduardo Rodriguezoceanographer, explains how ocean heat fuels cyclones and why the timing of the season responds to marine energy cycles.
- Kamila Dazaproducer and editor of the program, takes us by the hand through historical moments such as the creation of the Saffir-Simpson scale or the founding history of Miami, an iconic city vulnerable to hurricanes.
- Jesus Diaz ("Yisus")chef and communicator, shares a traditional recipe of the cuban sandwichas a cultural and tasty closure of this first trip.
In this episode:
- 02:00 Emergency kit
- 05:40 Cooking without electricity
- 07:40 Evacuation routes
- 11:15 The origin of North Carolina
- 14:00 Difference between hurricane warning and hurricane watch
- 17:50 When do I have to evacuate?
- 20:20 The Outer Banks of North Carolina
- 23:50 The National Hurricane Center
- 24:50 FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Many people wait until the last minute to start preparing," Eduardo points out. "And then it's too late: the water runs out, there are no batteries, no flashlights, no fuel." So the first thing to internalize is that preparedness begins long before a formal warning is issued. In fact, as soon as the hurricane season begins - June 1 in the Atlantic - we should already have our emergency kit ready and a family plan defined.
Hurricanes, squalls and tornadoes: why are they not the same?
What should a hurricane emergency kit contain?
The kit should be useful whether you stay at home or must evacuate. Here are some essential items:
- Drinking water: minimum one gallon (3.8 liters) per person per day. For five days, that would be 5 gallons per person. Don't forget to add water for your pets.
- Non-perishable food: cans, energy bars, foods that don't need refrigeration or complicated cooking. And yes, pet food too.
- Manual can opener: fundamental. We don't want to stare at a can without being able to open it.
- Essential medicines: if you take daily medication (diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy, etc.), you should have an extra supply. After the hurricane, pharmacies may be closed for days.
- Important documents: passport, ID, insurance papers, property titles... keep them in waterproof bags or waterproof wallets.
- Flashlight and extra batteries: avoid using candles because of the risk of fire. Today there are long-lasting rechargeable flashlights.
- Emergency radio: to follow the official information if the internet is cut off or the power goes out.
- Gas for cooking: small portable gas stoves are useful if you do not have an electric stove.
- Appropriate clothing: include clean changes of clothes, underwear, raincoat or light, quick-drying clothes. Avoid packing a suitcase as if you were going on vacation.
- Personal hygiene items: toilet paper, soap, wet wipes, feminine products.
- Whistle or utility knife: useful for calling for help or in case of emergency.
What if you have to evacuate?
The podcast reviews documented cases where an evacuation from Miami to North Florida took up to 20 hours. During an emergency, roads collapse and gas stations run out of fuel. Here's why, fill the gas tank in advanceIf you are in a hurry, carry your emergency backpack and stay informed about the routes and shelters in your area.
Many people don't want to go to shelters because they don't know if they will be able to bring their pets in. Good news! Today there are shelters pet-friendly. It is key to be informed in time through the local authorities, who manage the evacuation centers.
Do you know the difference between surveillance and warning?
One of the great challenges in risk communication is terminology. In English, the Watch and the Warning are well differentiated. In Spanish, the translation has varied over time, but today we use:
- Watch: means that your area is likely to receive tropical storm or hurricane impacts in the next few days. 48 hours.
- Warning: is emitted when impact is imminent. There is very little reaction time.
And here is a key fact: the count does not start from the time the cyclone makes landfall, but from the time the cyclone makes landfall. since we began to feel its effects -That is why it is so important to act during the watch and not wait for a warning before rushing out.
What sources should you follow?
In a world flooded with social networks, not all the information that circulates is truthful. "I have seen well-recorded videos with quality cameras saying authentic meteorological barbarities," says Eduardo. For that reason, reliable sources are:
- National Hurricane Center (NHC): the number one authority in the Atlantic.
- National Weather Service (NWS): issues local warnings and coordinates with the NHC.
- FEMA: U.S. emergency management agency.
- State and local pages: for example, FloridaDisaster.org, TexasReady.govetc.
And in Spanish, of course, media such as Weather Channel or the podcast Atmospheric TurbulenceThe company's employees work on the basis of verified and contrasted information.
And after the hurricane?
The impact does not end when the eye of the hurricane passes. Damages, lack of electricity, drinking water or transportation can last for days or weeks. In Wilma, for example, some areas were without power for 15 days. In the case of Maria, in Puerto Rico, months.
Have the kit ready, know what to do, where to go, and who to listen to. can make the difference between life and death. As Eduardo reminded us in the episode: a cyclone is neither an adventure nor an exaggeration. It is a powerful phenomenon that deserves respect and preparation.
🎧 First audio episode now available at buzzsprout.
Follow us on social networks: @AlbertElTiempo | @CanalMeteo
