In the past few years we have seen an overwhelming amount of destruction from the mammoth storm that have ransacked our coasts. We have heard the testimonials from the survivors of tornadoes victims, of hurricanes, and see the endless stream of photos online.
Hurricane season is in its first month and already we have been introduced to the fast paced TS Andrea. It makes you wonder if the weather professionals predictions could be right this year?
As homeowners we dread the expense that is attached to this entire season, as Floridians we know that being prepared is the best way to protect ourselves and our investments. The more informed you are the better prepared you will be for a unpredictable mother nature as it has been for centuries.
Tropical Cyclone? Hurricane? Tropical Storm? Typhoon?
The Aztecs, Mayas, Taínos and other Indians adopted many gods from other civilizations. The Mayans, Aztecs and Taínos, believed each god was associated with some aspects of nature in each of these religions. Hurricanes were feared and respected, for the storms played a vital part of their worship. The destructive power of a storm like hurricane inspires both fear and fascination and it is no surprise that ancient tribes were known to make offerings to the weather gods to appease them. People in ancient times believed that these violent storms were brought on by angry weather gods. In some cultures, the word for hurricane means 'storm god', 'evil spirit', 'devil' or 'god of thunder and lightning’. Derived from the Spanish word "huracan", which was most likely inspired by Hunraken, the name for the ancient Mayan storm god or Hurakan.
Hunraken was inspired by the ancient Mayans god who destroyed people with great storms and floods. One of three lightening gods who participated in all three attempts at creating humanity. Together they were “the heart of the sky” Hunraken was the “one legged” god, one human leg and the other a serpent.
4 Stages of a Tropical Cyclone:
1. Tropical disturbance: a discrete system of clouds, showers, and thunderstorms that starts in the tropics and remains in tact for 24 hours+
2. Tropical depression: develops when a closed circulation, winds 38mph or less at an elevation of 10 meters
3. Tropical storm: a tropical cyclone that is given a name by the National Hurricane Center, winds are 39-74mph, at an elevation of 10 meters
4. HURRICANE: a tropical storm that’s strengthens to more then 74mph and can become much stronger. They are categorized 1-5 based on wind speed. Sinking air at the center clears the tropical cyclone of clouds and forms the "eye." The eye wall typically contains the strongest surface winds.
*Tropical (named by geography)
Cyclone (named per the family of storm)
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