The past week has seen many big science stories come across our news feeds. From Hurricane Ida and the devastation in its wake to the COVID-19 pandemic to the rapid increase in climate change, there has been no shortage of stories. For North America, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is upon us. This week’s post has a plethora of links to help you with hurricane preparations. There are many more weeks left in the Atlantic hurricane season, so now is the time to prepare for the storm you hope never happens. Much of western North America is still dealing with wildfires and a severe drought. There are many other good science reads to review for this week, so let’s get started.
- This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. This gallery contains images that, for many of us, will forever be indelibly etched into our memory of that horrible day.
- Here’s a very timely read that has validation for not only the ongoing pandemic, but many areas of science. “Prebunking Health Misinformation Tropes Can Stop Their Spread.”
- Misinformation & disinformation are a plague that feeds on fear & superstition. “Free Speech In A Pandemic Congress Wrestles With Drawing A Line.”
- This is a very thought provoking read on how the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change have some very solid links and a reminder of how every person is globally connected.
- It’s one thing to be in denial of climate change or the substantial threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s quite another matter to accept these threats to human existence…and feel the need to do nothing about it.
- In all honesty, many of these populated areas shouldn’t populated with humans. Many vulnerable cities exist in areas where they shouldn’t…and that is why we have this…”Hurricane Ida May Spark Mass Migration.”
- Extremes in winter weather may not sound like it’s associated with climate change and global warming, but there are clear climatological connections.
- Speaking of extremes…Texas, do you remember that bitter cold snap of February 2021? “Scientists See Link Between Arctic Warming & Texas Cold Snap.”
- Wildfires present significant threats on their own. New studies and data show that the smoke created by these massive fires has a lethal component that claims tens of thousands of lives every year.
- The COVID-19 pandemic presents a global health crisis that is nothing like we’ve seen in a century. However, in the long run, a recent medical journal editorial published in more than 200 medical and health journals worldwide places climate change as the biggest threat to global public health.
- While on the topic of public health, it’s time to reexamine the importance of air quality and staying healthy.
- The Atlantic hurricane season has been a busy one for 2021. Hurricane Ida will certainly go down in the history books. As of this post, Hurricane Larry is still going strong in the Atlantic. In August 2021, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center updated the official Atlantic hurricane season outlook. “Atlantic Hurricane Season Shows No Signs Of Slowing.”
HURRICANE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS
The official start of the Atlantic hurricane season began June 1, 2021. As is the case with most years, the late summer and autumn months comes the peak of activity. This is a list of tropical cyclone safety and preparedness links that I hope you’ll find helpful and spearhead your preparedness plan. None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!
WEATHER DATA
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
National Weather Service Homepage
National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center
NOAA Climate Prediction Center
NCAR Tropical Cyclone Guidance Project
HURRICANE SAFETY & EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
American Red Cross Severe Weather Safety Information
American Red Cross Hurricane Safety Checklist (PDF file)
Extensive FEMA Emergency Preparedness Document (34 Page PDF File)
Ready.gov Basic Disaster Supply Kit Info
Preparing Your Pets For Disasters And Emergencies
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
Flash Flooding: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
Interactive NOAA Weather Radio Coverage Map
The following infographics cover many important topics including emergency kits, staying informed, and avoiding misinformation and disinformation that are applicable to tropical cyclone scenarios. Tornadoes are also common in land-falling tropical storms and hurricanes. If in doubt, always stay with OFFICIAL sources of important information, forecasts, and warnings.
Even though this infographic is focused on winter weather, it certainly applies to weather information year round. Diligence from January through December is important to cull through misinformation, disinformation, and unfounded rumors.
Please keep in mind that ONLY NOAA weather radio, your local National Weather Service office, or reliable broadcast media are the BEST sources of important, timely, and potentially life-saving information on hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings, and other related warnings! None of the links on this page should be used for life-&-death decisions or the protection of property!
That’s a wrap for this post! Next week we’ll continue information on hurricane preparedness and safety. A big ‘Thank You’ to my followers in social media. If you’re on Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram, let’s connect! As for the COVID-19 pandemic, get vaccinated, sport a spiffy mask, practice good hand-washing hygiene, mind your social distancing, stay positive, and test negative!
See you next Saturday!
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