Comments on: How Scientists Are Predicting the Path of Hurricane Irene–And Why We're Better At It Than Ever Before http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/08/26/how-scientists-are-predicting-the-path-of-hurricane-irene-and-why-were-better-at-it-than-ever-before/ Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: dave chamberlin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/08/26/how-scientists-are-predicting-the-path-of-hurricane-irene-and-why-were-better-at-it-than-ever-before/#comment-29192 dave chamberlin Sun, 28 Aug 2011 17:15:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31397#comment-29192 It is quite common in the south for residents told to evacuate their homes because of a possible hurricane caused storm surge to ignore the order. They are faced with two bad options. 1)Evacuate and not be allowed back to their home for a week or more. If they have experienced serious water damage in their home they can lose everything to mold. 2) Risk their lives and stay put knowing that they can protect their property by tarping the damaged roof themselves and to contol the spread of high humidity caused mold by firing up a gas powered compressor to turn on their air conditioner and dehumidify the house. Our news stations keep ranting on how stupid people are to ignore warnings to leave but sadly this now institutionalized system of blockading homeowners quick return to their property is creating the choice taken by many to risk their lives to protect everything they own. It is quite common in the south for residents told to evacuate their homes because of a possible hurricane caused storm surge to ignore the order. They are faced with two bad options. 1)Evacuate and not be allowed back to their home for a week or more. If they have experienced serious water damage in their home they can lose everything to mold. 2) Risk their lives and stay put knowing that they can protect their property by tarping the damaged roof themselves and to contol the spread of high humidity caused mold by firing up a gas powered compressor to turn on their air conditioner and dehumidify the house. Our news stations keep ranting on how stupid people are to ignore warnings to leave but sadly this now institutionalized system of blockading homeowners quick return to their property is creating the choice taken by many to risk their lives to protect everything they own.

]]> By: WixNoo http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/08/26/how-scientists-are-predicting-the-path-of-hurricane-irene-and-why-were-better-at-it-than-ever-before/#comment-29191 WixNoo Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:28:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31397#comment-29191 No doubt that was one wacky storm dude. www.anonweb.at.tc No doubt that was one wacky storm dude.

http://www.anonweb.at.tc

]]> By: Arthur Dent http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/08/26/how-scientists-are-predicting-the-path-of-hurricane-irene-and-why-were-better-at-it-than-ever-before/#comment-29190 Arthur Dent Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:43:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31397#comment-29190 shandooga@hotmail.com, you have stumbled on our evil plan. Us mad scientists have had the power to control hurricanes for years. You think Katrina was an accident?! Muhahahahahaha! shandooga@hotmail.com, you have stumbled on our evil plan. Us mad scientists have had the power to control hurricanes for years. You think Katrina was an accident?! Muhahahahahaha!

]]> By: shandooga@hotmail.com http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/08/26/how-scientists-are-predicting-the-path-of-hurricane-irene-and-why-were-better-at-it-than-ever-before/#comment-29189 shandooga@hotmail.com Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:40:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31397#comment-29189 Maybe scientists are better at predicting hurricanes for the same reason that the gov't is better at predicting terrorism: They're not "predicting" it--they're steering it. Can't rule it out because it *was* impossible. The internet was impossible at one time. Maybe scientists are better at predicting hurricanes for the same reason that the gov’t is better at predicting terrorism: They’re not “predicting” it–they’re steering it. Can’t rule it out because it *was* impossible. The internet was impossible at one time.

]]> By: Bruce Parker http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/08/26/how-scientists-are-predicting-the-path-of-hurricane-irene-and-why-were-better-at-it-than-ever-before/#comment-29188 Bruce Parker Sat, 27 Aug 2011 06:30:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=31397#comment-29188 The only hurricane in recorded history whose eye passed over New York City arrived there on the evening of September 3, 1821. Its 13-foot storm surge flooded the lower end of Manhattan up to Canal Street. Ships were carried up onto the shore and numerous wharves were damaged. The Battery was completely destroyed. A few miles north the storm surge demolished a bridge that spanned the Harlem River from (what is now) East 114th Street to the northwest end of Ward’s Island. Although there was a great deal of damage, New Yorkers were actually lucky, because the hurricane struck at low tide. This hurricane was only a Category 2, and followed a path vary similar to Irene’s path. This story and other amazing stories about storm surges can be found in the recent book, "The Power of the Sea: Tsunamis, Storm Surges, Rogue Waves, and Our Quest to Predict Disasters", by Bruce Parker. The only hurricane in recorded history whose eye passed over New York City arrived there on the evening of September 3, 1821. Its 13-foot storm surge flooded the lower end of Manhattan up to Canal Street. Ships were carried up onto the shore and numerous wharves were damaged. The Battery was completely destroyed. A few miles north the storm surge demolished a bridge that spanned the Harlem River from (what is now) East 114th Street to the northwest end of Ward’s Island. Although there was a great deal of damage, New Yorkers were actually lucky, because the hurricane struck at low tide. This hurricane was only a Category 2, and followed a path vary similar to Irene’s path. This story and other amazing stories about storm surges can be found in the recent book, “The Power of the Sea: Tsunamis, Storm Surges, Rogue Waves, and Our Quest to Predict Disasters”, by Bruce Parker.

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