South could use a tropical storm
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are still tracking two disturbances in the tropical Atlantic, either or both of which could develop into tropical storms in the coming days. And while no one would wish a disaster on islands in the Caribbean, or on communities along the Southeastern coastline of the U.S, these storms can have their upside.
I'm talking about rain. There are still parts of the Southeast that have never recovered from last year's drought. Some of the most severe drought conditions in the nation persist in portions of northern Georgia, and the western Carolinas.
Souch drought conditions in summer are frequently ended in August or September by a tropical storm or two that stumble ashore along the Gulf Coast or in northern Florida or the Carolinas.
But it didn't happen last year. The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season never really paid off for the Southland. All but one storm bypassed the region entirely. And even as Maryland's drought was relieved over the past winter, conditions to our south, as noted on last week's Drought Monitor map (below), remain in what is defined as "exceptional" drought - the worst category on the scale. More than half the region is in "severe" drought, or worse.
No one can say yet whether either of the two areas of bad weather in the Atlantic will develop into tropical storms, much less where they will take their rain. But AccuWeather.com is projecting storm tracks that at least point in more or less, kind of, the right direction.
Whatever the fate of these storms, we need to spare a kind thought for tropical weather, and the potential benefits it can bring to drought-stricken regions of the country.
Comments
Every one needs to prepare for disasters especially in South Florida. With the FAA putting 4 vital radar systems all in South Florida only 1.5 nm from the back up system we are doomed. When asking the FAA what their contingency plans are for South Florida below you will fine the answer.
As not to confused anyone I recommend that you go to www.faahope.com , look at the presentation, on the first page, How Do We Get From The East Coast To The West Coast When We Fly? It is a short explanation of how things work.
This is the FAA answer and I quote;
“South Florida Disaster recovery plan is “The Miami ARTCC contingency plan activates a process allowing Jacksonville ARTCC to modify their airspace boundary to provide air traffic services to the southern most Florida TRACON facilities, which include Fort Meyers, Miami and the Key West Approach Control. In the unlikely event that both Miami ARTCC and TRACON were out of service, Jacksonville ARTCC will provide radar coverage to the South Florida area. This contingency plan outlines the administrative and operational responsibilities of each supporting ARTCC and TRACON in the event of a major facility/system outage or prolonged interruption to ATC services.”
On May 13, 2008 at a public meeting in West Palm Beach, I had a chance to ask Rick Ducharme Deputy Vice President of Terminal Services a few questions.
If Jacksonville ARTCC assumes the Miami airspace, Who will assume Jacksonville’s airspace? He had no answer.
Do you have the extra equipment, frequencies, trained and certified personnel to assume the Miami airspace? He had no answer.
Has any ARTCC in the history of the FAA, EVER assumed another ARTCC’s airspace? Rick Ducharme paused, then answered NO.
I am afraid we are all on our own and not as lucky as New Orleans. You see New Orleans had their backup center in Houston which is a lot farther than 1.5 nm from New Orleans.
We should not count on any help from air flights, if our area is declared a disaster area. Good luck through out the hurricane season and let’s hope we don’t get hit with the big one.
Posted by: faahope | August 17, 2008 8:25 AM