digitlnoize
Registered User
Reged: Thu
Posts: 1
|
|
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/research/2009-07-15-gates-hurricanes_N.htm
What do you guys think? Total BS?
(Thread moved tp the proper Forum.)
Edited by Ed Dunham (Sun Jul 19 2009 03:55 PM)
|
MichaelA
Weather Analyst
Reged: Thu
Posts: 945
Loc: Pinellas Park, FL
|
|
Over the years, there have been several attempts at decreasing storm intensities. I don't believe we should alter them since they are essential for global climate balance. The best tropical storm defense is good preparedness.
--------------------
Michael
PWS
|
bobbutts
Weather Hobbyist
Reged: Mon
Posts: 71
Loc: New Hampshire
|
|
This would have to be done ahead of the hurricane, and then all the equipment moved out of the area before the storm hits. To me this would seem to be the biggest drawback since it requires an accurate forecast and lead time with dangerous and or expensive consequences. That means it's subject to forecast error, e.g. they could pump out near New Orleans and watch the storm pass by to Texas.
Beyond that, if I remember correctly, intensified over the loop current and deteriorated near the coast. It's common with N. Gulf coast storms due to some combination of landmass dryness, latitude, and other local factors. Regardless, the Storm Surge, the part of the hurricane that devastated New Orleans and much of the Gulf coast did not seem to respond significantly to the wind and structure reduction just before landfall. I don't see any expectation that this plan would reduce surge, and I don't see any reason to believe the damage from would have been significantly less with reduced wind..
Charley would have been a better example as it's intensification was very close to land and made landfall and had heavy wind damage but little surge damage. Knocking 5-10 mph off of the top winds there would probably have saved some money.
Regardless, this seems like a futile waste of time to me, the money would be better spent helping victims and designing better future storm defenses (wetland protection, stronger structures, better evactuation plans, etc)
|
MichaelA
Weather Analyst
Reged: Thu
Posts: 945
Loc: Pinellas Park, FL
|
|
Actually, it was the failure of the levees along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain that flooded the South Ward rather than a storm surge from the Gulf (the eye of passed to the East of the city). The small surge associated with was probably due to its rapid intensification near the coast and the very small size of the storm.
--------------------
Michael
PWS
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
