Hurricane Florence (2006)
 | This article is about a current Hurricane Florence where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The latest page updates may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Please refer to your local weather service or media outlets for the latest weather information pertaining to a specific location. |
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Current storm status Category 1 hurricane (1-min mean) | |||
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| As of: | 8 p.m. AST September 10 (0000 UTC September 11) | ||
| Location: | 30.5°N 66.2°W ± 20 nm About 150 miles (240 km) SW of Bermuda | ||
| Sustained winds: | 80 knots | 90 mph | 150 km/h (1-min mean) gusting to 100 knots | 115 mph | 185 km/h | ||
| Pressure: | 975 mbar (28.79 inHg) | ||
| Movement: | N near 14 mph (22 km/h) | ||
| See more detailed information. | |||
Hurricane Florence is the sixth tropical storm and second hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season. It is a Cape Verde-type system that developed well east of the Lesser Antilles. It is currently active.
Storm history
At the end of August, a system moved off the coast of Africa. As it passed south and west of the Cape Verde islands, it gradually became better organized. On September 3, it had organized enough to be given tropical depression status and it was designated as Tropical Depression Six west of Cape Verde. Wind shear due to other systems, including a trough, slowed down development. However, on the morning of September 5, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Florence.
The storm then continued to strengthen as well as grow enormously in size into an extremely large tropical storm (albeit disorganized) on September 6. However, after that, Florence would struggle for the next couple days. There were several factors that led to that. First, there was considerable wind shear in the area related to troughs that pushed farther south than usual, which hindered organization. Second, the upper-level relative humidity remained too low for organization and dry air was brought into the system due to the presence of nearby upper-level lows. Finally, its enormous size at the time and highly disorganized nature made it less prone to strengthening.
On September 8, Florence began to gradually improve in organization as it continue to track northwest towards Bermuda. However, the mid-level circulation remained somewhat disorganized due to shear, keeping Florence as a tropical storm for the next day. That abated late in the evening of September 9, and it quickly reintensified, reaching hurricane strength early on September 10.
Preparations
On September 8, the government of Bermuda issued a Hurricane Watch for the island on September 8,[1] which was followed by a Tropical Storm Warning on September 9.[2] These were replaced by a Hurricane Warning on September 10, coinciding with the storm's strengthening to hurricane intensity.[3] The government urged the potentially impacted citizens to take preparations for the storm, many of whom bought supplies at local hardware stores.[4] Residents installed storm shutters, while boat owners moved their yachts to safer locations.[5]
Minister of Labour Home Affairs and Public Safety Derrick Burgess announced the following preparations on September 9:[6][7] The Bermuda Regiment embodied 200 troops, with 250 additional soldiers[8] and the Bermuda Reserve Police on immediate standby following the storm. The shelter at CedarBridge Academy in Devonshire was ready for those in emergency housing on the morning of September 10[6] and everyone by noon.[8] All government-affiliated schools and offices would be closed Monday (September 11),[7] and Bermuda International Airport would be closed by midnight[7] September 10, likely reopening September 12 following a damage assessment. Meanwhile, the Bermuda Electric Company (BELCO) and the Bermuda Telephone Company prepared for full deployment,[7] and Acting Police Commissioner Roseanda Young characterised the hundreds of government and emergency services staff on standby as "astronomical".[6]
Hotels issued emergency plans to all guests, including contingencies to evacuate those in low-lying areas. Private jets and some commercial airlines were made available to tourists wishing to leave Bermuda after the airport's closure. Ferry service ceased at 4:30 p.m. on September 9, and bus service ceased at 1 p.m. on September 10.[6] the Causeway was closed on the evening of September 10,[8] recalling Premier W. Alexander Scott's promise three years ago following Hurricane Fabian: "The next time we have a significant hurricane warning, we will close the Causeway, so no one is out on that thoroughfare in danger in the future."[9]
Kurt Tibbetts, Leader of Government Business of the Cayman Islands, called Acting Premier Neletha Butterfield to offer any assistance Bermuda required.[6] Premier Scott was on vacation and unable to secure return transport in time, but remained in constant touch.[8]
To entertain their remaining guests, several hotels planned "hurricane parties".[10]
Impact
Tropical Storm Florence produced strong swells and dangerous surf conditions for the northern Lesser Antilles, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Bermuda.[11]
Current storm information
As of 8 p.m. AST September 10 (0000 UTC September 11), Hurricane Florence is located within 35 nautical miles of 30.5°N 66.2°W, about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds are 80 knots (90 mph, 150 km/h), with stronger gusts. Minimum central pressure is 975 mbar (28.79 inches), and the system is moving N near 14 mph (22 km/h). Florence is a large tropical cyclone; tropical storm-force winds currently extend outward up to 260 miles (415 km) from the center while hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center.
Rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches (125 to 200 mm) are expected over Bermuda, with possible isolated rainfall of up to 10 inches (250 mm). Storm surges of 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 metres) are possible along the coast of the island. Florence could pass by Bermuda as a Category 2 hurricane.
| Hurricane warning levels |
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| Hurricane warning |
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Hurricane conditions expected within 36 hours. |
| Hurricane watch |
|
Hurricane conditions possible within 48 hours. |
| Tropical storm warning |
| Tropical storm conditions expected within 36 hours. |
| Tropical storm watch |
| Tropical storm conditions possible within 48 hours. |
| Storm surge warning |
| Life-threatening storm surge possible within 36 hours. |
| Storm surge watch |
| Life-threatening storm surge possible within 48 hours. |
| Extreme wind warning |
| Winds reaching Category 3 status or higher likely (issued two hours or less before onset of extreme winds). |
Tropical cyclone warnings and watches
As of 2 p.m. AST (1800 UTC September 10), a hurricane warning is in effect for Bermuda.
For latest official information see:
- The NHC's latest public advisory on Hurricane Florence.
- The NHC's latest forecast/advisory on Hurricane Florence.
See also
External links
References
- ^ Avila (2006). "Tropical Storm Florence Public Advisory 21". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-08.
- ^ Stewart (2006). "Tropical Storm Florence Public Advisory 24". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-09.
- ^ Franklin/Mainelli (2006). "Hurricane Florence Public Advisory 27" (PDF). NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
- ^ AP (2006). "Tropical storm Florence expected to veer toward Bermuda, away from U.S. coast". Retrieved 2006-09-08.
- ^ AP (2006). "Florence Heads to Bermuda". Retrieved 2006-09-09.
- ^ a b c d e Elizabeth Roberts (2006-09-09). "Regiment partially embodied as Florence moves closer". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d "TS Florence: Emergency Measures Organisation Meeting" (Press release). The Minister of Labour Home Affairs and Public Safety, The Hon. Derrick Burgess JP, MP. / Government of Bermuda website. 2006-09-09. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c d Dan Jones, Matthew Taylor and Elizabeth Roberts (2006-09-10). "Florence Set to Hit:'Stay indoors and be safe'". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Bermuda Premier vows to rebuild Causeway stronger and better". Caribbean Net News. 2003-09-11. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Associated Press (2006-09-10). "Bermuda braces as Florence becomes hurricane". CNN. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Knabb/Landsea (2006). "Tropical Storm Florence Public Advisory 22". NHC. Retrieved 2006-09-08.
Tropical cyclones of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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